Palo Vol. XXXVI, Number 22 Q March 6, 2015 Alto Palo Alto divided over limits on office space Page 5 PaloAltoOnline.com Hoping to END a drought Palo Alto girls play for first CCS title in 35 years PAGE 55 INSIDE: Camp Connection INSIDE Palo Alto Adult School Class Guide Pulse 16 Transitions 17 Eating Out 29 Movies 32 Puzzles 53 QSeniors Legacy letters help retirees mine memories Page 19 QArts Showstoppers: Gunn and Paly musicals Page 24 QHome Downtown North: the ultimate walkable spot Page 34 MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH What You Need to Know Routine screenings and genetic testing are the key to detecting colon cancer early, when it is most likely to be cured. If you’re over 50 or have a family history, a colonoscopy can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. Thanks to an increased number of colorectal cancer screenings, improved diagnostics and advanced treatments, there are more survivors of colorectal cancer than ever before. 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DRE# 01371338 Page 4 • March 6, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com Daylight Saving Time begins Set your clocks ahead one hour at 2 a.m. this Sunday. UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis Palo Alto divided over limits on office space City Council agrees to protect retail providing insufficient time to an- itself but rather its impacts on limiting the amount of time employ- but is split over annual office cap swer that question, the council ul- traffic and parking. The argu- ees can park in neighborhoods; a timately voted to schedule another ment echoed the view of the Palo new Transportation Management by Gennady Sheyner hearing on the topic for March 23. Alto Chamber of Commerce and Association that will offer local em- alo Alto’s polarizing de- competing motions, clashing phi- The debate roughly split into numerous business leaders who ployees incentives to switch from bate over the growth of of- losophies, complex amendments two camps. On one side were argued that restrictions would commuting by car to other modes P fice space hit a stalemate riddled with bullet points and deep Marc Berman, Greg Scharff and threaten downtown’s vitality with- of transportation; and an expansion Monday night when a deeply di- disagreement among both the pub- Cory Wolbach, all of whom op- out achieving anything useful. of the city’s free shuttle system. vided City Council agonized over lic speakers and the council on the posed moving forward with a cap Berman ticked off a list of initia- “We need to dedicate those the topic for more than four hours big question of the night: whether on new office space. All three said tives that the city is already pursuing resources to the programs and before deciding to wait before im- Palo Alto should set an annual cap that the city’s time and resources to address traffic and parking woes, policies that will get the biggest posing any dramatic restrictions. on office development. would be better spent on address- which include a new downtown It was an evening that featured With two long public meetings ing not so much new development Residential Parking Permit Program (continued on page 10) BUSINESS City tries to get a piece of the ‘sharing economy’ Palo Alto looks for ways to regulate and tax short-term rental services like Airbnb by Gennady Sheyner t’s called the “sharing econ- ing his Palo Alto home through omy,” but Palo Alto officials Airbnb since last year and touted Iare growing increasingly con- the service to the council in Janu- cerned that the city isn’t getting ary. its fair share from Airbnb and He said his experience with other services that allow visi- Airbnb highlighted for him how tors to rent rooms in local homes “overburdened the real estate without paying hotel taxes. market was here in Palo Alto.” On Monday night, the City His guests have included Stan- Council is scheduled to consider ford University students who may new laws the city could adopt to not otherwise be able to afford Veronica Weber regulate an industry that didn’t to stay locally and would have even exist 10 years ago. to rely on lodging in other com- While services such as Airbnb munities. are increasingly popular among “It’s important to me that these users, they enjoy an ambiguous people are able to work here and Swingin’ in the sun relationship with the city’s zon- study here and be able to afford it Reyn Johnson, 4, left, gets a hearty push from his grandmother Joanna Reynolds as he swings with ing code. The short-term rental — not having them stay in outer twin sister Mabel Johnson at Mitchell Park during the siblings’ quick break from preschool on of dwelling units or bedrooms for boroughs like Mountain View, Wednesday. fewer than 31 days is technically where real estate is cheaper,” prohibited in Palo Alto; the city’s Gold said. code defines “dwelling units” as He also noted that offering stu- ous policy proposals and changes rooms that constitute a “separate dents short-term rentals allows YOUTH aimed at reducing student stress housekeeping unit, occupied or them to spend money in Palo already in place or on the horizon, intended for occupancy on a non- Alto, which translates to tax rev- from the superintendent’s enforce- transient basis.” The city further enues for the city. Students speak to ment of a districtwide homework defines “transient” occupancy as Taxation is very much one policy to a potential change in bell one lasting fewer than 31 days. of the issues that the council is schedule for Gunn. But the city’s code does allow exploring, following a success- experiences, good and bad Several of the students called residents to use up to 25 percent ful ballot measure Palo Alto for change beyond oft-discussed of their homes’ gross floor area voters approved last November. Palo Alto youth ask community to focus on student issues like heavy homework load, (or 500 square feet, whichever is The measure raised the city’s issues year-round — and to follow up oversubscribed advanced place- less) for something called “home transient-occupancy-tax (TOT) ment (AP) classes and rigorous occupation.” This refers to an rate — commonly known as the by Elena Kadvany schedules. “accessory activity” conducted hotel-tax rate — from 12 percent midst Palo Alto’s ongoing standing-room-only audience about “We aim our arrows at false in a dwelling unit by the home to 14 percent and specified that community conversation their academic, social and personal targets,” said Gunn senior Jes- occupant “in a manner incidental “rental agents” who collect rent Aabout youth health and experiences, both good and bad, as sica Luo, reading a letter she had to residential occupancy.” Home but do not directly operate tran- well-being — one that so often part of “Listening to Youth Voices,” written to her ninth-grade self. occupation must not generate sient lodgings are “subject to the cries out for the youth voice — a a forum organized by community “That’s because it’s easier to think traffic or parking beyond what same obligations as a hotel oper- room full of parents, students, leaders and organizations. The fo- of culture as a tumor that can be would normally be associated ator to collect and remit the TOT. school administrators, city leaders rum was moderated by Becky attacked, to throw policy changes with residential occupancy. “Staff is in the process of noti- and community members gathered Beacom, a health educator with the like block schedules and home- Some Palo Altans who have fying Airbnb and other brokers, Sunday evening to hear just that. Palo Alto Medical Foundation. work restrictions at the tumor in waded into the waters of the shar- websites and providers of the re- On a stage at First Congregation- The students’ comments came the hopes of shrinking it. But the ing economy are unequivocal in quirement to collect and remit the al Church, 12 Palo Alto and Gunn at a time of deep reflection for the their appraisals of such compa- high school students talked to a two high schools, with numer- (continued on page 11) nies. Daniel Gold has been shar- (continued on page 15) www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • March 6, 2015 • Page 5 Upfront GraphicDesigner 450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306 QUOTE OF THE WEEK (650) 326-8210 Embarcadero Media, producers of the Palo Alto Weekly, The PUBLISHER Almanac, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly, PaloAltoOnline. William S. Johnson (223-6505) com and several other community websites, is looking for a graphic EDITORIAL Editor Jocelyn Dong (223-6514) designer to join its award-winning design team.