City Hall Connection for February 22, 2023

City Hall Connection

Feb. 22, 2023

News and Information from the City of Mountain View

MountainView.gov

Housing Element Update

The State of California requires that every eight years cities ensure that enough land is zoned for residential uses to meet housing needs. This Housing Element cycle has been different than previous cycles due to new State laws, higher expectations, additional complexity and more uncertainty from State regulators. In addition, there are increased consequences of not adopting a Housing Element that meets these new expectations, including the loss of the City’s zoning authority over some new residential developments.

To complete this process, and to maintain the City’s zoning authority, the next draft Housing Element will propose several new implementation programs to increase the feasibility and density of housing including, but not limited to:

Conducting a future review of R2-zoned areas for opportunities to increase density.
Rezoning several zoning districts—including the El Camino Real Precise Plan and the CRA (Commercial/Residential Arterial) zone—to allow emergency shelters per State law.
Increasing allowed density on Moffett Boulevard, at religious sites and at 1949 Grant Road.
Allowing new residential uses in existing commercial areas, including the Leong/Evandale/Fairchild area, sites on the corner of Cuesta and Miramonte, the Downtown Transit Center and the shopping center at Calderon and Church.
Eliminating minimum parking requirements for residential developments in transit-oriented Precise Plans, including Downtown, San Antonio, East Whisman and El Camino Real. (Some of these areas are already exempt from minimum parking requirements under State law, including East Whisman and portions of San Antonio and Downtown.)

Each of the proposed programs will be presented at future public hearings and are subject to final approval by the City Council. The City Council is scheduled to adopt the Housing Element in early spring 2023, after a recommendation from the Environmental Planning Commission. The latest version of the Housing Element will be available the week before public hearings.

To sign-up for project notifications, visit MountainView.gov/MyMV, and you will receive email notifications for upcoming meetings. For additional information about the Housing Element Update, visit MVHousingElement.org.

Silicon Valley Clean Energy Updates & Promotions

SVCE Community Impact Report

As a member of Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), the City of Mountain View has been receiving renewable and carbon-free electricity for over five years. The City's commitment to clean energy ranks Mountain View among the leading cities in California in achieving substantive emissions reductions.

Mountain View's 2022 energy results:

82% reduction in electricity-related emissions (37,736,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions avoided).
$795,000 in on-bill savings for Mountain View customers.
$78,020 in cash payments to customers for generating surplus solar energy.
40,500 households and businesses receiving clean electricity from carbon-free sources.

To view Mountain View's 2022 Community Impact Report, click here.

Electric Landscape Equipment Promotion

Going electric just got easier! As Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Mountain View residents can get $50 off electric leaf blowers and lawn mowers.

Visit the Appliances Assistant website to upgrade your yard care equipment and go electric at appliances.svcleanenergy.org.

Public Invited to 2023 City Annual Update

The 2023 City Annual Update is scheduled for the morning of Friday, March 31 at the Hyatt Centric Hotel in Mountain View.

Hosted by the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce and the City of Mountain View, the annual event opens with breakfast at 9 a.m. followed by the official program at 10 a.m. Mayor Alison Hicks and City Manager Kimbra McCarthy will provide an update on the City projects underway and the plans for the year ahead. Chamber President & CEO Peter Katz will serve as the moderator.

For tickets to this year’s City Annual Update, visit the Chamber’s website at ChamberMV.org/city-annual-update.

Free Confidential Paper Shredding Event

On Saturday, March 4 the SMaRT Station is hosting a free paper shredding event for Mountain View and Sunnyvale residents. Avoid peak wait times by arriving between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. if possible. All vehicles arriving by 3 p.m. will be served, but the line cuts off at 3 p.m. sharp.

Protect your privacy by shredding confidential papers such as bank statements, pay stubs, canceled checks and credit offers. Proof of residency is required. No appointments will be taken.

Limit of five bags or banker boxes per household. Learn more here.

Recreation News and Events

2023 Spring and Summer Activity Guide

The 2023 Spring and Summer Activity Guide is now available online at MountainView.gov/Register.

Hardcopies of the activity guide have been mailed to residents and are also available at City facilities.

The spring and summer issue showcases camps and activities taking place from April through August. Resident registration will begin Saturday, March 4 at 9 a.m.

Celebrating Arbor Day

Celebrate Arbor Day with the City of Mountain View on Saturday, March 11 from 9:30 a.m. - noon at Pioneer Park, 1146 Church St. The Arbor Day festivities serve to encourage community members to help with the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees in Mountain View.

Celebration festivities will include a ceremonial tree planting, tree climbing demonstration, interactive activities, live music and a new “Tree Guardian” certificate. The City will make free Arbor Day trees available to Mountain View residents who agree to plant and maintain the tree on their property. The planting event is part of the City’s forestry restoration efforts and a celebration of the State of California’s Arbor Day. The City will deliver the tree of choice to eligible residents in late April or early May.

For more information, and to fill out the application for a free tree, visit MountainView.gov/ArborDay.

Happening at the Library

Here’s what’s coming up at the Mountain View Public Library over the next several weeks:

Thursday, Feb. 23: Successful Retirement Strategies – Learn retirement strategies that will empower you to weather any recession and overcome any other personal financial hardships.
Friday, Feb. 24: Sensory Storytime – A storytime designed for younger children who may benefit from a smaller class size and a more structured storytime program with manipulatives.
Tuesday, Feb. 28: Author Talk with Sadeqa Johnson: Award Winning Author of Yellow Wife - An invigorating conversation with highly acclaimed author Sadeqa Johnson as she talks about her brand-new novel, The House of Eve.
Wednesday, March 1: What the Fireflies Knew: Talk with Kai Harris – An evening with Kai Harris, author of the critically acclaimed novel What the Fireflies Knew. She will discuss her writing process, her journey to publication and answer questions from the audience. This event is part of Silicon Valley Reads 2023.
Tuesday, March 7: Detox Your Mind Through Meditation - Join long time meditator Gaurav Singh and learn how to implement a simple, yet very powerful meditation technique to detox your mind.
Wednesday, March 8: Low Water Lawn Alternatives – Learn about lawn alternatives that use 50-60% less water than a traditional lawn but can still provide you with that spot of green.

Community Activities and Services

What's OnStage at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Feb. 23-26 | Dance Arts Foundation presents California Dance Classics | More info

Feb. 24 | Socially Inept, LLC presents Socially Inept: Roast of Silicon Valley – February 2023 | Tickets

Mar. 2 - 5 | Hershey Felder Presents presents George Gershwin Alone | Tickets

Mar. 3 | Armenian Cultural Community presents Naghash Ensemble | Tickets

Mar. 4 | The Flamenco Society of San Jose presents Rafael Riqueni in Concert | Tickets

Mar. 11 & 12 | TheaterGames Productions presents 12 Months (in Russian) | Tickets

Mar. 11-19 | Peninsula Youth Theatre presents The Lightning Thief | Tickets

Mar. 17-19 | Upstage Theater presents FOLLIES | Tickets

Mar. 24 & 25 | Peninsula Youth Theatre presents The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | Tickets

Upcoming Meetings & Events

For a complete list and more information, visit MountainView.gov/Events.

Feb. 22 | Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee | 6:30 p.m. | Atrium Conference Room, 500 Castro St.

Feb. 23 | Council Neighborhood Committee | 6:30 p.m. | Atrium Conference Room, 500 Castro St.

Feb. 23 | Public Safety Advisory Board | 7 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, 500 Castro St

Feb. 27 | Board of Library Trustees| 7 p.m. | Library Program Room, 585 Franklin St.

Feb. 28 | City Council | 6 p.m. | Council Chambers, 500 Castro St.

March 1 | Development Review Committees | 2 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, 500 Castro St.

March 1 | Environmental Planning Commission | 7 p.m. | Council Chambers, 500 Castro St.

March 2 | Human Relations Commission | 6:30 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, 500 Castro St.

March 6 | Youth Advisory Committee | 5 p.m. | The View Teen Center, 263 Escuela Ave.

March 7 | Downtown Committee| 10 a.m. | Atrium Conference Room, 500 Castro St.

March 7 | City Council | 6:30 p.m. | Council Chambers, 500 Castro St.

March 8 | Administrative Zoning Hearing | 4 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, 500 Castro St.

March 8 | Visual Arts Committee | 6 p.m. | Atrium Conference Room, 500 Castro St.

March 8 | Parks and Recreation and Urban Forestry Board | 7 p.m. | Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave.

AskMV at Your Service

Available 24/7, Ask Mountain View is an easy way to send your questions, concerns and compliments directly to City staff who can help you. Download the app or submit a request online at MountainView.gov/AskMV.

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