City Council - April 7, 2025

Council backs SB 457 on a 4-3 vote

The Palo Alto City Council voted 4-3 to support SB 457, a state bill addressing Housing Accountability Act rules, and designated Mayor Ed Lauing to testify for the measure. Lauing supported the motion and characterized the bill as a clarification of the Builder’s Remedy rather than an end to it.

The debate centered on whether the bill would curb speculative or incomplete Builder’s Remedy filings or weaken a tool intended to enforce housing production. Supporters said it would protect local planning, environmental and infrastructure objectives. Opponents warned that it could affect pending housing proposals and create uncertainty, particularly if applied retroactively.

Staff reported nine Builder’s Remedy applications in Palo Alto representing roughly 2,000 units, with tolling agreements executed for three applications. Staff said it could not yet determine how many projects might be affected because the legislation could change. A Senate Housing Committee hearing was slated for April 29, when the mayor may testify, and amendments could still be considered during the state legislative process.

Outdoor-lighting ordinance returns for revisions

Council did not adopt the proposed outdoor-lighting ordinance on first reading. Instead, it voted 7-0 to have staff revise the measure and return it for further action.

Staff’s draft generally applied to new construction, major renovations and new outdoor-lighting installations. It proposed a 2,700 Kelvin maximum color temperature for most light sources and a 10 p.m. curfew, while retaining the city’s existing 0.5 foot-candle light-trespass limit rather than the Planning and Transportation Commission’s recommended 0.1 foot-candle standard.

The adopted direction asked staff to address broader applicability to existing lighting and stronger protections for sensitive areas. It also called for a midnight curfew, including for holiday lighting, with extensions tied to business closing or exterior occupancy. Council directed a two-year compliance period for specified changes to existing lighting, an exception process for locations with special security concerns and compliance tools that rely less on code enforcement.

Environmental advocates urged tougher limits for existing and replacement fixtures and stronger protections for the Baylands and stream corridors. Other residents raised safety, cost and enforcement concerns. Staff will revise the ordinance and bring it back to the Council.

County agreement provides up to $7 million for Homekey operations

Through its 7-0 consent-calendar vote, Council approved a revised revenue agreement with Santa Clara County providing up to $7 million over seven years, or approximately $1 million annually, for Palo Alto Homekey interim-housing operations. The agreement is intended to enable the county to execute an operating agreement with LifeMoves, which operates the housing.

The next step is execution of the revised city-county agreement.

Council awards $9.99 million stormwater contract

Council approved a $9,994,970 construction contract with Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. for stormwater pump station and trunk line improvements, along with up to $999,497 in change-order authority. The 7-0 consent-calendar action also amended the Stormwater Management Fund budget by $3,797,371, including appropriation increases of $1,296,848 for the pump station and $2,500,523 for the trunk line work.

The same vote approved three on-call agreements with 4Leaf, Inc., CMI Contractors, Inc. and Park Engineering, Inc. for electric and fiber capital-project field inspection and construction-management services. Those agreements have a combined limit of $6 million over three years.

Housing zoning ordinances receive final approval

Council gave final approval on second reading to two housing-related zoning ordinances. One amends Title 18 to modify the Housing Incentive Program, Affordable Housing Incentive Program and Retail Preservation Ordinance.

The other amends portions of Titles 18 and 21 to clarify existing zoning and subdivision regulations and implement recent state housing laws. Both ordinances were adopted through the 7-0 consent-calendar vote.

Council approves employee BayPass pilot through 2025

Council approved a partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for a Clipper BayPass pilot for city employees through Dec. 31, 2025. The agreement has a limit of $94,640 and was included in the 7-0 consent-calendar vote.

Staff said the pilot is intended to gauge and build employee interest in public transit across multiple transit service areas. If the program continues, its estimated ongoing cost would be $150,000 annually. Staff will implement the pilot and report on its progress.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet