Jun 122017
 

BPA MEET & LEARN EVENT

AvenidasVillage
Discover the Aging in Place Membership Program

Vickie Epstein, Avenidas Village Program Director and
Bruce Heister, Former Chair, Avenidas Board of Directors

Launched in October 2007, AvenidasVillage is an aging in place program that provides members with many of the benefits of living in a retirement community while they remain in the homes they love.
Join us as we discover more about the resources, assistance and services provided by the village. Hear about the History and Overview of the Village and get perspective from current members.

Attendance is free but this event is limited to 25 attendees.
PLEASE RSVP on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bpa-meet-and-learn-avenidas-village-tickets-35030681712

Catherine Hendricks is presenting this event organized by the Barron Park Association.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: CATHERINE HENDRICKS: FRENCHREALTOR@GMAIL.COM OR 650 245 5094

 Posted by at 2:01 PM
Feb 052017
 

Palo Alto City Council Meeting – Monday, Feb 13, 2017  6PM

Barron Square Owners and Residents are urged to attend or write to the Council to oppose the upzoning of the adjacent property at 4146 El Camino Real from RM-15 to RM-30.

Most, if not all, residents of Barron Square have received notices from the City of Palo Alto that the City Council will hold a Preliminary Review to Rezone the Vacant Property at 4146 El Camino Real, adjacent to Barron Square. As of this time, the plans submitted to the City are for 21 condominiums to be built on the 3/4 acre parcel with access from El Camino Real and under the building parking, essentially the same as was submitted to the Architectural Review Board in 2014.

Many of our current residents are new to Barron Square and may not be familiar with the history of the adjacent property, but clearly the upzoning of this property and the construction of a three-story block of houses could have a significant impact on Barron Square. An article describing the proposed project appeared here in 2014. The “Adjacent Property Committee” appointed by the Board has been monitoring the situation and one of the members, Ruth Lowy, has provided an excellent write-up on the history of the property and the problems we envision for the new development. Additonal documents are available:

Staff Report for February 13, 2017 City Council meeting.
Submitted Plan set for 4146 El Camino Real (very large document)

There are several basic questions which need to be considered:

Ingress/Egress to the property – The current design clearly indicates that access to the property will be via El Camino Real and NOT via Thain Way. Thain Way ENDS at the cul-de-sac adjacent to buildings 7 and 10 and the only point of connection which could be made is the 10′ section of fence which abuts the cul-de-sac. The current designs shows that at that point the adjacent property would be 10′ below ground level for under the building parking. So, in spite of the desire by the former head of the ARB for ‘connectivity between the communities’ and a bike path for the kids going to school, unless the laws of gravity are repealed, such a connection is not feasible. Both the fire lane from the cul-de-sac to the gate at El Camino and the parking area along building 10 are the PRIVATE property of Barron Square and not available for access.  

Privacy and Security – A number of residents have expressed concerns regarding access from El Camino Real to Thain Way via the new property.  Before the fire lane was gated and locked we experienced a considerable amount of vandalism and petty crime and recently there have been a number of autos vandalized and an attempted break in at one of the condominiums. Again, if the current design is maintained, the vertical separation of the properties will serve as a deterrent. We are also planning additional deterrents to entry from the El Camino side of the Barron Square property.

Zoning and Compatibility – Palo Alto Code, chapter 18.13.060 establishes “Multiple Family Context-Based Design Criteria” It states that “development in a multiple-family residential district shall be responsible to its context and compatible with adjacent development.” “Context” used in this section is intended to indicate relationships between the site’s development to adjacent street types, surrounding land uses, and on-site or nearby natural features, such as creeks or trees. Effective transitions to these adjacent uses and features are strongly reinforced by Comprehensive Plan policies…” “Compatibility” is achieved when the apparent scale and mass of new buildings share general characteristics and establishes design linkages with the overall buildings to maintain visual unity of the neighborhood or street.

The developer is currently asking for rezoning of the El Camino parcel from RM-15 (15 residential units per acre) to RM-30 to allow building 21 units. This would be a continuation of the disproportionate amount of high density development in the South Palo Alto area. 

The three-story buildings present a significant visual impact and encroachment on the daylight plane. One Barron Square owner has requested that a ‘daylight plane’ study be required to determine if there would be a detrimental effect on the residents in the nearby Barron Square buildings.

We urge all owners and residents at Barron Square review the facts here and express their opinions to the City Council.

The Adjacent Property committee is urging that we oppose the upzoning to RM-30 by writing to the City Council and/or attending the Council meeting on February 13th at 6PM. Council Chambers are located in the Civic Center at 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Carpooling is recommended if you plan to attend. 

 

 

 Posted by at 10:27 PM
Mar 022016
 

The 2016 Annual Meeting and Potluck of the Barron Park Association will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 2PM to 4PM in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Barron Park Elementary School. All residents of Barron Park are welcome to attend. Feel free to bring cookies and snacks to share, the BPA will bring coffee and tea, and we’ll make a potluck out of it! (If you bring a dish to share, please label the ingredients to help people with allergies.)
There will be free babysitting available in an adjacent room, if there is demand. If you are interested, please let us know how many children you will be dropping off by sending an email to GLuce@cbnorcal.com.
The featured topic of this year’s meeting will be a panel discussion on Sustainability and Climate Change in Palo Alto. Following the discussion there will an added Q&A session on Neighborhood Safety.

Palo Alto’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan

Gil Friend, M.S., Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Palo Alto

Gil will talk about the city’s emerging Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, and how Palo Alto can continue to lead the state—and the country—on climate strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and improve quality of life, prosperity and resilience.

Gil FriendGil is a pioneer in the field of sustainability, and has extensive experience leading and developing strategic sustainability practices for cities and companies across the globe. Friend is founder and CEO of Natural Logic, Inc., a leading strategy firm helping companies build value at the intersection of business and sustainability. For the past 22 years, Friend has developed sustainability strategies and roadmaps for companies in the technology, food, energy, retail, apparel and other sectors. He developed green product rating systems for two large retail companies, led integrated eco-audits for more than 100 diverse manufacturing companies, and developed and delivered sustainability training for leadership teams associated with large public sector organizations.

Adapting to San Francisco Bay’s Shoreline to Sea Level Rise

Matt Brennan, PhD, PE, Environmental Science Associates

After a brief primer on sea level rise causes, projections, and Bay-area vulnerabilities, Matt will discuss adaption measures that integrate traditional flood protection with natural measures such as managed retreat and ‘horizontal’ levees. He’ll also outline the goals and objectives of the Strategy to Advance Flood protection, Ecosystems and Recreation along the Bay (SAFER Bay) Project, which is developing shoreline protection for Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park.

Matt Brennan PhD PEMatt Brennan, PhD, PE, is an engineering hydrologist who focuses on understanding and managing estuaries and coasts for habitat, flood control, and water quality. Matt assists natural resource managers and public agencies resolve current issues and improve resiliency in the face of ongoing sea level rise.

 

Matt’s projects include:

  • assessing coastal flood hazard and integrating habitat restoration into Palo Alto’s, East Palo Alto’s, and Menlo Park’s Bay shoreline flood protection
  • adaptively managing the mouth of the Russian River for steelhead habitat
  • developing sea level rise design guidance for Redwood City’s Inner Harbor
  • assessing sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation strategies for the City of Mountain View

Adaptive Response to Rising Tides – Palo Alto Flood Basin

Chuck Anderson, PE, Schaaf & Wheeler

The majority of Palo Alto’s stormwater flows through the Palo Alto Flood Basin on its way to the Bay. Chuck will summarize a recent study he conducted for the Santa Clara Valley Water District which assessed storm surge and sea level rise impacts on the Flood Basin. The study considers and recommends adaptive responses to the growing vulnerabilities of the Flood Basin to sea level rise.

Charles Anderson PECharles D. Anderson, PE has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of groundwater and surface water hydrology, flood control and drainage, water supply and distribution, and wastewater collection and pumping. He is involved in all the phases of project management and implementation from project feasibility through to design development, construction document preparation, and construction support. On behalf of public and private clients he has completed numerous FEMA flood insurance studies and letters of map change. Mr. Anderson is familiar with the Adobe Creek, Barron Creek, Matadero Creek and San Francisqito Creek watersheds and has designed two major storm water pump stations for the City of Palo Alto.

Special Q&A Session – Neighborhood Safety

Dennis Burns, Chief of Police, City of Palo Alto

10254_fullBurns, a 33-year veteran of the Palo Alto Police Department, started his career in the Palo Alto in 1982. He has worked all patrol shifts and served as a Field Training Officer, a detective, a detective supervisor and a crime-prevention officer. He was promoted assistant police chief in 2007 and became interim police chief in 2008 and was appointed chief in 2009. Burns holds a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from San Jose State and a master’s degree in Public Administration from University of San Francisco

 

 Posted by at 9:32 PM
Apr 292015
 

The 2015 Annual Meeting of the Barron Square Homeowners Association was held on April 15, 2015 in the clubhouse with approximately 30 members in attendance. A total of 35 ballots, constituting a quorum of the membership, were received. Two incumbents, Maurice Green and John Morrissey, were re-elected to the Board and the Tax Reduction Resolution was passed.

In his President’s report to the membership, Maurice Green reviewed the accomplishments of the past year and described some of the current issues and ongoing and upcoming projects for the association. These included:

  • Lighting project(s)
  • Roofing project(s)
  • Exterior repainting
  • Pool and Spa upgrades
  • Clubhouse wifi and security system
  • Emergency services center
  • Garage door upgrades
  • Trash/Recycle/Composting changes
  • Earthquake Insurance

Additional details on many of these projects are found in other articles on this website.

The Association Treasurer was unable to attend the Annual Meeting. He provided the following statement regarding financial activity for the previous year:

Homeowners were provided a copy of the Reserve Study and Annual Operating budget. The monthly assessments were increased due to lack of increases in earlier years even as operating expenses increased, increased operating expenses mostly expected as annual inflation, and shorter than expected lifetimes for capital assets and previous repairs, even as unplanned reserve expenses were transferred to the homeowner, e.g. windows and sliding glass doors. Keep in mind that monthly assessments are for operating expenses and to contribute to the reserve fund. Also keep in mind that the reserve fund is a method to avoid special assessments.

Further information regarding the current financial status is included in the minutes of the monthly Board meetings.

Marion MacGillivray provided a brief report from the Landscaping Committee. Board Secretary Jo Stiene expressed the appreciation of the Board and the Association for services to the community by:

  • Debbie McGraw from PML for all her services to our community, including her skills with the Landscape Committee.
  • Marion MacGillivray for her time-consuming and caring service on the Landscape Committee.
  •  Laszlo Tokes and Ruth and Mike Lowy for their many years of overseeing the pool opening and closings and general oversight.
  • Ree Desfresne and Ruth Lowy for their ongoing oversight on City actions regarding the adjacent El Camino property.
  • The Volunteer Building Captains under the leadership of Maury Green. It was noted that Captains for buildings 2, 4, 5, 10 and 11 are still needed.
  • Maury Green for stepping up as Emergency Preparedness Board Liaison as well as being the Communication radio contact for Barron Square and other sites in Barron Park.  And for setting up and managing the Barron Square website.
  • Volunteers working with Perky Perkins who made our Annual Social an enjoyable (and delicious) event: Karen Wirth,  Marion MacGillivray, Terry Gammon, and Junko Serizawa for their help in making it such a nice afternoon, with special thanks to Mike Wirth as our cameraman.
  • Laszlo Tokes for continuing as our Lamplighter, with Ruth Lowy as backup.

President Maurice Green then expressed thanks to our longtime Board Secretary ‘Perky’ Perkins who had retired from the Board and presented her with a bouquet of flowers in appreciation of her 10 years of service to the community.

 Posted by at 8:45 PM

Barron Square HOA Annual Social

 meetings, news  Comments Off on Barron Square HOA Annual Social
Oct 252012
 

SAVE THE DAY

Sunday, October 28th

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

(Costumes Optional)

TIME TO MEET AND GREET!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

(Sorry, no pets allowed in pool area or clubhouse)

 

 Posted by at 3:19 PM