Council briefs Council briefs (April 16, 2004)

Historic preservation

An April 13 public hearing on the city's historic preservation ordinance that is in development was postponed until after the Mountain View City Council debates the subject further. The council is tentatively scheduled to hold a study session on the subject on April 20 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 500 Castro St.

The council is expected to discuss whether to make compliance with the ordinance mandatory or voluntary. Council members are also expected to talk about incentives to encourage business and homeowners to join a historic register, if the ordinance is voluntary. At a previous study session, council members indicated that they are more interested in adopting a voluntary ordinance for the city. The study session is open to the public.

Police and fire building renamed

The city's Police Services-Fire Administration Building will be renamed in memory of Robert K. Schatz, a former Mountain View police chief and two-time mayor. Schatz's career in public service spanned more than 40 years, and his colleagues in the police department praised him for his inventive and inspirational ways. Schatz hired the first female and African-American police officers in the city.

New housing

The Mountain View City Council approved plans for a 20-unit townhouse development on Granada Drive and also voted in support of adding 46 new townhouses on Ferguson Drive at Whisman Station.

Representatives of Granada Park Townhomes, the group developing the 20 townhouses, had hoped the council would allow them to build homes with a more floor area than is normally allowed. But the council voted to approve the project without yielding on the city's requirement.

Although the council approved plans for new townhouses at Whisman Station, the construction is contingent on the developer improving and expanding existing recreation facilities, which include a swimming pool and clubhouse, at the housing complex. Current residents fear the onslaught of new neighbors will push existing facilities far beyond their capacity.

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