[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6582458,"mediaKeyId","3091645-297cf68956df6ddb76d2ad91cbbb2afe","parentId",3091645,"title","Mountain View council backs higher-density mixed-use option, prioritizes wider sidewalks and protected bike lanes on Moffett Boulevard","audioSeconds",6823,"startMs",30700,"endMs",6853915,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091645-297cf68956df6ddb76d2ad91cbbb2afe&start=30&end=6853","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091645-297cf68956df6ddb76d2ad91cbbb2afe/thumbnail_30700.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582458/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Mountain-View-council-backs-higher-density-mixed-use-option-prioritizes-wider-sidewalks-and-protected-bike-lanes-on-Moffett-Boulevard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582458-59624f02f30372dfb453e8473ea1ef90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141133&Signature=ADZK1oIUAe6TrgDfkjqxIyO02QNhlIuZMdJ7cBR45tHajGJNoxaS4EJeS2sS5sM~BxquUzQR0G3O-Z88mD7-6n7aOvya9wHnqaPoYF0QvntdzGIWSZeFLzkx0QJ0lJb6OJVkTLp0bc0cIJ1NfLjdGn2K6Gi3MFsevu8Eog2Dq6w6eOeke1SzTg7K~qrrG3w6wj-KkFkIMIm28ceURP~tTp610X8ucthca9hg1px0e1GHwFtNQ-Cd6UgI7fIcl57RencU0Jve3rrs3VSmhrR1JH3voQgL~wLGOMaHQWLzAfCAcQx1s07D0M594qL4HxgNqVge7zD4MZRriu4Ma~cFvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coty of Mountain View","date","2025-04-23T06:00:12.64Z","article","Mountain View — The City Council directed staff to study a higher-intensity mixed-use alternative for the Moffett Boulevard Precise Plan and to prioritize wider sidewalks with trees and pedestrian amenities and protected bike lanes when developing streetscape options, council members said Tuesday.

The direction came after a staff presentation that laid out three land-use alternatives and six streetscape approaches for the corridor between Central Expressway and Middlefield Road. Assistant Community Development Director Amber Blasinski and project planner Aki Snelling told the council the plan would implement the city’s general plan and housing element and that outreach so far included an in-person workshop with 85 attendees and 144 online survey responses.

Why it matters: The precise plan will create development and streetscape standards for the Moffett corridor. Council’s preferred scope will shape environmental review and later design standards, and could affect building heights, housing densities and how the city allocates limited right-of-way space for people and vehicles.

Staff summarized three land-use alternatives: “A” (medium-intensity mixed use) with a base housing density around 75 dwelling units per acre and building heights in the 4–5 story range; “B” (higher intensity mixed use) with a base density up to about 100 units per acre and building heights of roughly 5–7 stories and a requirement for ground-floor nonresidential uses along Moffett; and “C” (focused mixed use) putting higher-density nodes near the transit center and other nodes while keeping lower density elsewhere.

Blasinski said the Environmental Planning Commission was split: 3 of 6 commissioners recommended Alternative C, but the commission did not reach a majority on any single approach. She told the council public comments varied widely on density, building height and parking; workshop poll participants strongly favored wider sidewalks and protected (rather than only buffered) bike lanes.

Public commenters pressed the council for a “people-first” corridor with wide sidewalks, tree shade, plazas and active ground-floor uses. April Webster, speaking for a neighborhood group, summarized outreach findings: “Residents don’t want another ‘pass-through’ corridor. They want a people-first neighborhood — safe, walkable, vibrant and green.”

Council direction and votes
- Land-use envelope: By voice straw poll the council indicated a preference for Alternative B (higher-intensity mixed use). Vice Mayor Ramos, Council members Ramirez, Hicks, Clark and Showalter voted in favor of Alternative B; Council member McAllister preferred Alternative A; Mayor Kamay preferred Alternative C. The council’s direction will be used to scope environmental review.
- Streetscape priorities: The council agreed that staff should study streetscape alternatives with the following emphasis — wider sidewalks with trees and pedestrian amenities first, protected bike lanes second, and then strategies to evaluate road diets and parking preservation (including exploring on‑street parking, loading zones, permit parking and centralized parking). The streetscape priorities carried 6–1 in a council voice vote; Council member McAllister voted no, citing concerns about parking impacts for existing businesses.
- Business preservation and density-bonus analysis: Council unanimously supported staff pursuing strategies to help preserve existing businesses in the corridor and directed the city attorney and planning staff to prepare an off‑agenda memo analyzing how state density bonus law interacts with local requirements and what options the city has to strengthen ground-floor commercial outcomes.

What staff said next: Blasinski and Community Development Director Christian Murdoch told the council that the preferred alternative will be used for environmental review and drafting the precise plan, and that additional focused outreach and further meetings with the planning commission and council will follow. Murdoch warned that state density bonus law may allow developers to seek concessions or waivers even when a jurisdiction intends to require ground-floor commercial space.

Notable details and constraints
- Outreach: staff reported a March 3 workshop with about 85 participants and an online survey with 144 responses (March 7–April 6). Workshop polling favored wider sidewalks and protected bike lanes as top priorities.
- Density and height ranges presented by staff: Alternative A up to ~75 units per acre (roughly 4–5 stories); Alternative B up to ~100 units per acre (roughly 5–7 stories) with required ground-floor nonresidential; Alternative C concentrated 100 units-per-acre nodes in two commercial nodes and 75 outside nodes with 4–7 story heights.
- Parking and legal limits: Staff repeatedly noted state law constrains local requirements for parking and that trade‑offs will be required in the narrow right of way.

Next steps: Based on the council’s direction staff will prepare environmental review and draft the precise plan, including more focused outreach and a return to the planning commission and council. Staff also will prepare the state density bonus analysis requested by council.

A selection of speakers: Amber Blasinski, assistant community development director; Aki Snelling, project planner (Moffett project); Christian Murdoch, community development director; Mayor Ellen Kamay; Vice Mayor Ramos; Council members Ramirez, Hicks, Clark, McAllister and Showalter; resident speakers April Webster, Sergio Barajas and others.

Ending: Staff said the preferred alternative will define the “envelope” for CEQA study and that the council can still refine standards and limits as the precise plan moves toward adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 22, 2025 Regular Meeting of Mountain View City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Mountain View — The City Council directed staff to study a higher-intensity mixed-use alternative for the Moffett Boulevard Precise Plan and to prioritize wider sidewalks and protected bike lanes in streetscape planning.","taxTitle","Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2861,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582451,"Mountain View council adopts FY25–27 work plan projects, including 2045 end of natural gas flow goal and objective design standards",6846,12035390,18881945,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091645-297cf68956df6ddb76d2ad91cbbb2afe&start=12035&end=18881","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091645-297cf68956df6ddb76d2ad91cbbb2afe/thumbnail_12035390.jpg","/articles/6582451/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Mountain-View-council-adopts-FY2527-work-plan-projects-including-2045-end-of-natural-gas-flow-goal-and-objective-design-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582451-d36cdbb46edf9df4991342e72a57c246/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141133&Signature=jTN4DkQ-LW8np39lhc0qASvtyL~c0x8qEm3a9ncYKFArwzbhhVpQkMMz6b1nysBEi~~Afv7TJJAV-ogzLZ-lStN5gXTqqtro3L50I4y5U9bvMdXtXqIc12EpYnJZWqXbGZvi28oQB-zZpkfpDaTWgQJaxoVMaO8aKDooECL7FZcfv-5mNKO4fldUrYrfsehsGsNBGTczkDymQM1O-jV8IMjzxO4DzQBqV6bZVaGxdatJQCU~2r38oP0BxB30Ggdg9Xu5F~lwl2G6HlW9~q3ciVRdLBEIdjDrPpnt9KAHpg8tXZ4aA-W~c8F7WlXqEqrL2xdiFaV6NtZgVgrm-SF2UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mountain View — The City Council approved staff’s recommended slate of projects to form the FY 2025–27 council work plan, advancing a set of policy and capital priorities that staff said are sized to fit available capacity and early funding needs.

Assistant City Manager Audrey Seymour Ramberg and Principal Management Analyst Laurel James presented the proposed portfolio of 16 projects Tuesday, explaining staff considered council priorities, department capacity, funding requirements and dependencies. The recommendations follow council guidance to emphasize “quality over quantity” and to limit the short-term work plan to projects staff can scope and complete or begin within two years.

Priority projects and key council direction
- End of natural gas flow by 2045: The council adopted a resolution committing the city to the goal and directed staff to develop a legal and technical analysis, study electric-grid capacity and prepare a resiliency strategy that would support building electrification. Council members described the goal as a “North Star” and asked staff to coordinate the work with the city’s decarbonization planning.
- Citywide objective design standards: Council asked staff to pursue a phased program that starts with multifamily and mixed-use building types to improve predictability and public‑realm outcomes, including ground-floor activation, shade and walkability. Members said clear, objective standards can speed review and help secure public benefits.
- Pickleball solutions: The council approved an expedited feasibility study for permanent courts and asked staff to add city parcels (including the San Rafael property) to the consultant’s scope. Staff also recommended interim measures to expand available play hours at Ringsdorf Park while the feasibility study proceeds. Council members stressed the need to balance new courts with preservation of green space and input from both the tennis and pickleball communities.

Other projects: Staff recommended additional projects tied to housing and economic development (low/moderate-income homeownership strategies, condo/duplex conversions), transportation and infrastructure (pavement-condition work and a study of a citywide broadband network), and internal organizational priorities (volunteer policy and code cleanup). Most projects were scoped to fit a two‑year window; seven would require limited‑term funding during the first two fiscal years.

Funding and fiscal notes: Staff flagged several items that will require capital funding or new appropriations beyond the two‑year planning horizon, including full implementation of a PCI target (pavement condition index), a Stevens Creek Trail extension, and a citywide broadband network. Staff recommended approximately $875,000 in additional limited‑term funding for FY 2025–26 and $200,000 for FY 2026–27 to start several scoped projects.

Council process and votes: After extended discussion and targeted straw polls on individual items, the council approved the staff‑recommended project list and scopes. The council also asked for additional follow‑up on the interaction of state density bonus law with future development standards, and requested staff and advisory bodies continue engagement on items that will require more public input.

Notable follow-ups requested by council: a memo on state density bonus law (see Moffett item), exploration of funding options for a potential revenue measure (staff to return with an ad hoc committee and timeline if council wishes to proceed), and a focused look at the feasibility and location trade-offs for permanent and interim pickleball courts.

Ending: Staff will return to council with budget recommendations in June that incorporate adopted work-plan projects; most projects will proceed to design, focused outreach and (where needed) environmental and fiscal analysis before final council action.","Council approved a set of 16 priority projects to guide the city’s work plan for fiscal years 2025–2027. Top items include a goal to end natural gas flow by 2045 (study-only scope), phased objective design standards for multifamily/mixed-use projects, and an expedited feasibility study for permanent pickleball courts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582455,"Mountain View finds chromium-6 above state public-health goal but well below federal limit; treatment study estimated at $48 million",737,11244265,11981350,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091645-297cf68956df6ddb76d2ad91cbbb2afe&start=11244&end=11981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091645-297cf68956df6ddb76d2ad91cbbb2afe/thumbnail_11244265.jpg","/articles/6582455/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Mountain-View-finds-chromium-6-above-state-public-health-goal-but-well-below-federal-limit-treatment-study-estimated-at-48-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582455-0c87f0a7082cb47aac728dfa5ce8ec0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141133&Signature=IzLM3Pvd7dgo3fDiEmGwGhppAzFT3ynXqFDnI~MOm88S-oV-Zs-mXo6GLdZt3dZMEt-JWR~~iA6HF~6MPzWQWNXtUet5kxa9mHOYTjFwolgk6QenJ5j1MhswlbI-bhOw5bWPtPkVQTS~pbL4w4COKWVD9VLxqVECunydXoWzCpKJBGB~Qfca9vOEvafsY4TY2UrwGgvfC32CrB69EB61CMAxRtdlMc-l21nNjEjJhh-F6m3NA93~FskSBO23FJ2KrkZd2Eem2jKw3O~S4IiEwFWqFdugXcp8KtK2B8JVkRB0zAwfYQuOQDr72eCUUOcuJRad-JzXoBT9gHgPZHy2fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mountain View — City staff reported to council Tuesday that routine testing of groundwater wells detected levels of hexavalent chromium (chromium‑6) above California’s public-health goal but far below the state maximum contaminant level used for regulatory compliance.

Utility Services Manager Mike Vasquez and Assistant Public Works Director Lisa Au told the council the report covers calendar years 2022–2024 and fulfills a required triennial update to the state on any exceedances of public‑health goals (PHGs) set by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

What the tests showed: Vasquez said routine monitoring of the city’s four groundwater wells detected chromium‑6 concentrations in the range of about 0.36 to 1.6 parts per billion. Those results exceed the PHG of 0.02 parts per billion established by OEHHA — a conservative, non‑enforceable health goal meant to guide protective action. However the measured values were well below the state’s regulatory maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 parts per billion.

“The city’s water meets all regulatory water-quality standards,” Vasquez said. He added that the PHG exceedance triggers a reporting requirement, not an enforcement action, because the MCL — the enforceable standard — was not exceeded.

Staff analysis and options: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified anion‑exchange treatment as an effective technology for removing chromium‑6 from groundwater. Vasquez said the city’s preliminary, high‑level estimate for installing treatment at all four wells would be roughly $48 million in capital costs and roughly $9.6 million in annual operations and maintenance.

Vasquez cautioned that the studies used to create these estimates were aimed at meeting the MCL; meeting the much lower PHG would carry additional uncertainty and possibly higher cost.

Why the wells exist: Council members asked how and when the wells are used. Vasquez and Public Works staff said the four groundwater wells are exercised weekly for a few hours to keep them ready. They account for a small fraction of the city’s total supply under normal operations (staff estimated about 2 percent), but are a locally controlled resource and provide important resiliency in the event of a disrupted imported supply or a major earthquake.

Next steps: Staff told the council there is no recommended follow-up action required because the MCL is not exceeded. The city will report the PHG exceedance in the required triennial report and will continue annual monitoring and include the results in the city’s annual water quality (consumer confidence) report.

A selection of speakers: Mike Vasquez, utility services manager; Lisa Au, assistant public works director; Council members and the public asked questions about the role of the wells in emergencies and about the meaning of PHG versus MCL.

Ending: The council accepted the 2025 public-health goals report and asked staff to continue routine monitoring and to publish the full results in the consumer confidence report this summer.","The city's 2022–2024 public health goals report found chromium-6 concentrations in four groundwater wells exceeded the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal but remained below the state maximum contaminant level. City staff said there are no regulatory violations and outlined treatment and cost estimates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mountain View council backs higher-density mixed-use option, prioritizes wider sidewalks and protected bike lanes on Moffett Boulevard

Mountain View council adopts FY25–27 work plan projects, including 2045 end of natural gas flow goal and objective design standards

Mountain View finds chromium-6 above state public-health goal but well below federal limit; treatment study estimated at $48 million