City Council - April 20, 2026

Council upholds demolition order for 531 Stanford Avenue

The City Council voted 7-0 to deny an appeal and uphold the Chief Building Official’s order to demolish the buildings at 531 Stanford Avenue. Council concluded that the property posed a significant fire and public-safety risk and decided demolition should proceed without waiting for approval of a proposed replacement housing project.

City staff cited structural deterioration, deficient fire-protection, electrical and plumbing systems, unpermitted work and repeated unauthorized entry. The Fire Marshal described limited sprinkler coverage, uncertain alarm functionality, compromised fire separations and conditions that could allow fire to spread rapidly to neighboring buildings. Staff also said no permits had been obtained to correct the cited conditions during the 18 months after a notice to vacate.

The appellant disputed that the legal standards for demolition had been met, said the sprinkler system had been tested in 2020 and 2024 and argued that some hazards had been corrected. The appellant also contended that the city needed a property valuation and evidence that deterioration exceeded 50% of replacement value. Council accepted the city’s findings and left the demolition order in place.

Council seeks a lower-scale edge for 70-home Webster proposal

Council completed a nonbinding review of a proposed seven-story residential project at 910 Webster Street without taking a vote or granting approval. The concept would replace 24 existing apartments with 70 homes, a net increase of 46, in a building reaching about 81.5 feet at the rooftop and 92 feet 9 inches at the cupola.

Councilmembers generally supported adding housing near downtown and Caltrain but asked the applicant to reduce the project’s visual impact next to lower-scale homes. Their requests focused on greater west-side step-backs, improved daylight-plane treatment, clearer solar and shadow analysis and a height transition that could retain more mass near Channing House.

The discussion also raised concerns about displacement of the 24 existing rental households, traffic, neighborhood parking, pedestrian safety and the amount of deed-restricted affordable housing. Local relocation-assistance requirements would apply if a future project moves forward. No formal application has been filed, and the applicant may revise the design before returning for environmental review and city consideration.

Homelessness plan draws calls for stronger prevention

Council provided feedback but took no formal action on Santa Clara County’s draft 2026-2030 Community Plan to End Homelessness. Councilmembers generally supported the plan while pressing county representatives to strengthen prevention, improve outreach in Palo Alto and explain gaps in housing-placement and service data. The finalized plan is expected to return for Council endorsement in August 2026.

County staff reported that 665 people identified with Palo Alto were housed during the previous five-year plan, nearly 2,000 received temporary housing or shelter and about 425 received homelessness-prevention assistance. Councilmembers noted that only 29 Palo Alto households received prevention help in the most recent year and questioned figures indicating Palo Alto accounted for 1% of countywide prevention recipients but 6% of temporary-housing and shelter placements.

Council also asked why 71 of 154 Palo Alto-affiliated households requesting housing were placed, a 46% rate, compared with 52% countywide. County staff said city affiliation is self-reported and agreed to examine local prevention trends, service access and data limitations. Staff also agreed to provide more information about the reported 456-day average stay at the Geng Road safe-parking site.

Business commenters requested a coordinated response to downtown cleanliness, safety and disruptive behavior while expressing support for compassionate homelessness services. A proposed business-community task force received interest from councilmembers, and city staff said police were already working with businesses and could deepen that effort.

Cubberley master-plan review moves to May 18

Council consideration of the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan, environmental document and fourth poll results was postponed from April 20 to May 18, Mayor Vicki Veenker announced.

Veenker also reported that three additional organizations had submitted letters of intent to participate in a revitalized Cubberley, bringing the reported number of prospective partners to five. City staff is reviewing the letters, which are expected to return for Council approval at a future meeting. The broader project includes possible acquisition of 7 acres from the school district and renovation of those acres along with 8 acres already owned by the city.

Council sets an in-person-first default for general comment

Council unanimously approved revised meeting procedures that establish in-person general public comment near the beginning of a meeting and virtual comment at the end as the normal order. The chair will have discretion to change that sequence when circumstances warrant.

Staff said state law requires Council to accept remote general public comment during hybrid meetings, while boards, commissions and committees have more flexibility. The Policy and Services Committee will reevaluate the new sequencing policy when the city’s meeting procedures and protocols return for a future update.

Council declines final Palo Alto Commons ordinance

Council voted 7-0 to decline second-reading adoption of an ordinance that would have allowed modifications to the existing 121-unit Palo Alto Commons assisted-living and memory-care facility at 4075 El Camino Way. The action allows withdrawal of the application as requested by the applicant and leaves the ordinance without final approval.

Several commenters supported the staff recommendation and referred to Council’s earlier seven-unit compromise and the length of the review process. One commenter opposed an outcome with no additional units, arguing that Palo Alto needs more assisted-living and memory-care capacity.

California Avenue entertainment zone advances

Council voted 7-0 on the consent calendar to approve the first reading of an ordinance establishing an entertainment zone on car-free California Avenue. The action advanced the ordinance but was limited to its first reading.

Emergency water-heater pilot gets a $950,000 contract increase

Council unanimously increased the city’s contract with Larratt Brothers Plumbing by up to $950,000 for the Residential Emergency Water Heater Replacement Pilot Program. The amendment raises the total contract limit to $1.445 million and extends the term through July 21, 2027.

Planning director gains limited Housing Element update authority

Council voted 7-0 to authorize the Planning and Development Services director to make minor changes to the 2023-2031 Housing Element site inventory when those changes are consistent with the adopted document. A public commenter opposed delegating the authority and urged the city to require Planning and Transportation Commission and Council hearings for site changes.

Embarcadero Road Phase 1 contract authority approved

Council unanimously established a Capital Improvement Fund appropriation for the first phase of the Embarcadero Road Improvement Project and authorized the city manager or a designee to award a construction contract to a qualified contractor. A commenter requested project drawings before action and questioned whether sidewalk widening would resolve bicycle and pedestrian conflicts, including concerns near Kingsley Avenue.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting agenda