Planning & Transportation Commission - April 29, 2026

Commission backs Old Trace map in 7-0 vote

The Planning & Transportation Commission voted 7-0 to recommend that City Council approve a tentative map dividing the vacant 1.02-acre site at 4103 Old Trace Road into nine residential lots and a private-street parcel. The recommendation advances the subdivision map, not the separate housing application, which proposes nine single-family homes and seven attached junior accessory dwelling units, for 16 units total.

The housing plan includes one moderate-income below-market-rate unit for households earning up to 100% of area median income. The commission amended the draft record of land use action to require a deed restriction for that unit. It also revised a finding to say the project would contribute to the housing inventory, deleting language that characterized it as infill development zoned at an appropriate density. Staff estimated $931,404.74 in development impact fees and a $588,316.67 housing in-lieu fee.

Despite the unanimous vote, commissioners raised concerns about wildfire evacuation, guest and JADU parking, construction effects, emergency access and the cumulative impact of development in the area. Their nonbinding recommendations asked City Council to consider objective fire-safety standards, fire risk and insurance, impacts beyond individual project boundaries and possible Comprehensive Plan or area-planning updates. The commission also recommended a construction management plan during the related housing review.

Staff said state housing laws and the Density Bonus Law constrained the review. Staff also said the Fire Department had found the proposed 20-foot private street adequate for fire access. The street would be 30 feet 6 inches wide overall, including sidewalks and a landscaped median. Other planned circulation measures include red curbs, restrictions on right turns into the private street from Arastradero Road, green bike-lane markings and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon.

Most public speakers opposed the project, citing evacuation, emergency access, parking spillover, traffic and the requested density-bonus waivers. One speaker supported the additional housing and affordable unit. City Council will next consider the tentative map alongside the separate housing application and the commission's concerns.

Churchill closure returns to council; erosion repair awaits award

City Council was scheduled to resume deliberations May 11 on a potential temporary closure of Churchill Avenue at the rail crossing. The proposal had drawn more than 200 written comments and nearly 50 oral comments at Council's April 15 special meeting. The Planning & Transportation Commission took no action on the closure proposal.

Staff told commissioners that loose underground wiring behind an intermittent crossing-trigger problem had been repaired. Commissioners called for more consistent pavement markings and signs at rail crossings, particularly at Meadow, Churchill and Charleston, as well as clearer driver guidance if the trigger location had changed.

A permanent rail-corridor erosion repair intended to protect the rail bridge and adjacent Alma Street bicycle and pedestrian path was awaiting Caltrain's contract award. Mobilization was expected in May and active construction in June, subject to the award and finalized dates.

Chang wins chair election in 4-3 vote

Commissioners elected Bryna Chang as chair over Bart Hechtman in a 4-3 private ballot. Todd James nominated Chang, citing her experience and service as vice chair. Hechtman nominated himself and pointed to his previous chair experience and seniority considerations.

Chang said she would pursue transparent and inclusive commission processes. Hechtman then nominated Kevin Ji for vice chair, and Ji was elected 7-0. The agenda specified a term running from April 29, 2026, through April 14, 2027, although the meeting indicated that the leadership handoff would occur at the next meeting.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet