Planning & Transportation Commission - April 9, 2025

Commission delays East Crescent curb plan for access review

The Planning & Transportation Commission voted 7-0 to continue the Southwood Drive and East Crescent Avenue portion of the Crescent Park Traffic Calming Project to April 30. The motion directs staff to meet with the adjacent resident, identify unmet needs for safe access to the home and consider feasible design changes before returning.

The permanent concept would retain a three-way stop while realigning the intersection and crosswalk, adding a curb extension and replacing an existing nonstandard ramp with a concrete path edged by a curb. Staff said the configuration is intended to slow turning traffic, discourage cut-through driving and shorten the pedestrian crossing.

The affected household and other commenters said the plan could make it difficult for caregivers or a van to stop close enough to a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Commissioners questioned whether a vehicle with a sliding door could use the proposed drop-off area, whether the ramp must be removed under AB 413 and accessibility requirements, and whether a rolled or flatter curb or smaller bulb-out could preserve access. Staff agreed that dimensions and some alternatives required further investigation.

Commissioners also asked for more recent performance information. Staff cited data showing a 35% traffic-volume reduction between a 2019 baseline and a 2022 follow-up, while commissioners said later stop signs, the nearby traffic oval and pandemic-era travel changes could complicate the comparison.

The continuance applied only to the Southwood-East Crescent component. The commission separately reviewed the five-way oval at Hamilton Avenue, Center Drive and Southwood Drive, including raised splitter islands, a mountable apron for larger vehicles, landscaping, lane markings and signs. Staff said the final design would add dashed yellow lane-extension markings and additional signage.

Commission backs state-driven ADU code changes

The commission voted 7-0 to recommend City Council approval of amendments intended to bring Palo Alto’s accessory dwelling unit and junior accessory dwelling unit rules into line with state law and comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The changes address allowable units, multifamily conversions, historic-resource treatment, kitchen standards and objective tree-protection rules.

Commissioners added language limiting a square-footage bonus associated with a junior ADU to the size of the proposed junior unit, rather than allowing unused bonus space to enlarge the primary residence. They also asked staff to review drafting consistency in landscaping and historic-resource provisions.

The recommendation leaves in place the recorded lien or agreement used when ADU impact fees are deferred, while directing staff to examine process barriers and potential efficiencies. A separate proposal to remove the lien requirement failed for lack of a second. City Council is tentatively scheduled to consider the ordinance May 12.

Akin elected chair as Chang wins vice chair

The commission unanimously elected Allen Akin as chair. Bryna Chang then defeated Cari Templeton in a 4-3 written ballot for vice chair.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting agenda