FOLA founders have spent many years serving the city as city councilors and mayors. Shown is our simple City Hall.
FOLA says ballot language means nothing?
The organization “Friends of Los Altos” which consists largely of former city council members who shepherded the creation of the 2009 Master Plan with its four staggered phases, has endorsed the 2015 $65M Los Altos Measure A. In public statements FOLA seems to suggest that passing Measure A does not necessarily mean there will be a pool facility or an expansion of the recreation department services to fill an expanded 55,000 square foot community center. LATC Oct. 7, 2015:
“In particular we think Los Altans will be best served when the final plan address Environment Impact Report (EIR) shortcomings, looks critically at the size of the building, and examines whether or not a pool facility with a competition (cool-water) pool makes sense.”
Hmmmm. So FOLA thinks the actual ballot language is totally a joke? Well, the City has TWICE determined that 55,000 square is “needed” for recreation programs. Mayor Val Carpenter in 2012 expected the recreation department to expand and “meet the demand.” A 55,000 square foot building got the nod from the prior City Council back then. In 2014, Andersen Brûlée talked to all current Hillview Center and sports field user groups and concluded that once again 55,000 square feet was “needed.” Our new City Council accepted that assessment.
It feels like the City is treating Recreation Courses like a business opportunity. And gosh, Lalah supposes there could be a very large “demand” for tax-payer subsidized courses in a spacious new building! The hoped-for 2015-16 programming expansion will be into music and art courses. Now the City is going to compete head on with the very nearby Community School of Music and Arts? How much will courses fees rise once they are held in a ~$25M new building?
The City website information states, “Once funding is secured, the project will move into the design phase at which point the City will seek additional public input into the design of the project. At that time a detailed architectural plan will be developed.” http://www.losaltosca.gov/community/page/hillview-community-center-and-park
Los Altos Measure A does not cover costs for providing the Community Center and Pool complex parking. The architect’s “final” working site plan was “underparked” by around 20%. 300 or so vs. 400 or so parking stalls. The City plans to pay for project parking, including underground parking, with an estimated $20M from City Reserves. Is it risky behavior to draw reserves lower? Or a great way to avoid marketing the bond at its actual $85 cost vs. the nominal $65M?
So there is no ONE plan. However, the final “non-plan” plan was officially underparked. Lalah recalls 400 or so spaces being “required,” but city council told the architect to prepare a site layout and cost estimate based on 300 or so parking spaces. Obviously a 300 stall underground parking garage behind Alain Pinel offices won’t be that useful for lunch-time congestion, but it will be useful for dinner and overnight parking. Hotel checkout by 10am please.
Staff report Feb. 10, 2015 on parking needs for Measure A Project … http://los-altos.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=897&meta_id=40976
Other Resources:
Below are some of the early site plans for Measure A that were tossed around a year ago … https://losaltospolitico.com/2015/01/los-altos-civic-center-architects-update/
But here is the final non-plan preferred by city council as of March 24, 2015 ABA presentation. http://los-altos.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=918&meta_id=41628
