Panel backs smaller Palo Alto Commons plan

Commission recommends seven Palo Alto Commons additions

Side-by-side Street View and map showing the captioned location — 4075 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA

The Planning & Transportation Commission recommended that the City Council approve a reduced expansion of Palo Alto Commons, limiting the PC-5116 amendment to seven additions that do not face Wilky Way. The motion passed 3-2 and excluded nine proposed Wilky Way-facing assisted-living units and new office additions facing the street. The City Council will make the final decision.

Staff had recommended approval of 16 additional assisted-living units, 172 square feet of support space, exterior color changes, landscaping and other improvements at the existing 121-unit assisted-living and memory-care facility. Staff said the plan called for 102 parking spaces, compared with 90 required under the referenced zoning standard, and qualified for a categorical exemption from review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

The debate centered on whether additional senior-care capacity and other claimed public benefits outweighed effects on neighboring single-family properties. Commissioners raised concerns about massing, privacy, natural light, parking spillover, construction logistics and traffic and bicycle safety. Bart Hechtman favored the full proposal, saying the required findings could be made and stronger parking, construction and monitoring requirements could address neighborhood problems.

Most public commenters opposed the proposal as presented, while some supported additional assisted-living and memory-care capacity or the seven-addition compromise. The commission directed that the transportation demand management plan return for further review. Staff will revise the recommendation and findings before the matter goes to the City Council.

Housing incentive ordinance moves to Dec. 17

The commission voted 7-0 to continue a proposed Housing Element implementation ordinance to Dec. 17 without considering its merits. Commissioners said beginning the item at about 10 p.m. would not allow a productive discussion.

The proposed ordinance would update city regulations for the Affordable Housing Incentive Program and Housing Incentive Program. Staff has recommended that the commission advise the City Council to amend Title 18 of the municipal code, but the commission deferred that recommendation until the continued hearing.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet