Planning & Transportation Commission - October 9, 2024

Commission delays creek rules for revisions and outreach

The Planning & Transportation Commission voted 6-0 on Oct. 9 to continue Palo Alto’s draft Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance to an unspecified date, directing staff to revise the proposal and pursue additional public engagement. Cari Templeton participated in the discussion but left before the vote. The commission did not recommend the ordinance to the City Council, as staff had proposed.

The draft would replace the existing 50-foot streamside review area with different setbacks, riparian buffers, exemptions and exception procedures based on location and creek type. It proposed 150-foot setbacks in rural open-space areas west of Foothill Expressway and in the baylands, along with 40-foot setbacks for natural and channelized streams in urbanized areas. Staff estimated that about 920 properties could be within the proposed buffers and setbacks, based on creek-centerline data rather than top-of-bank measurements.

Commissioners broadly agreed that the draft needed clearer rules and parcel-level examples. Several supported considering a 25-foot setback for channelized urban creeks while retaining roughly 40 feet for natural urban creeks. They also questioned how the ordinance would affect small parcels, properties behind flood walls or across service roads, redevelopment, accessory dwelling units, fences and fire-safety clearance. The cost, delay and uncertainty associated with major exceptions were additional concerns.

Public comments reflected competing priorities. Environmental advocates sought stronger buffers and narrower exemptions, while creek-adjacent property owners raised concerns about backyard use, rebuilding, ADUs, flood-wall properties and existing fences. Although staff reported that more than 5,500 mailers had been sent during earlier outreach, commissioners requested engagement focused more directly on affected neighborhoods and examples of how the draft would apply to typical properties.

Staff will revise the ordinance, consider additional community outreach and return it to the commission before any recommendation goes to the City Council. No date was set for its return.

El Camino paving moves toward year-end completion

Transportation staff reported that southbound paving on the Caltrans-led El Camino Real project was complete and northbound paving was partially complete. Caltrans anticipated finishing the remaining paving, striping and signage in November or December 2024.

Missing temporary no-parking signs were being replaced, and enforcement was planned until permanent signs are installed.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet