City project
Senate Bill 79 Implementation
City implementation effort for Senate Bill 79, which establishes residential development standards near qualifying transit stations and allows a locally prepared transit-oriented development alternative plan subject to state requirements.
- Current status
- State law becomes effective July 1, 2026; the City had not selected an alternative-plan approach.
- Location
- University Avenue Caltrain station area, Palo Alto, CA; California Avenue Caltrain station area, Palo Alto, CA; San Antonio Road Caltrain station area, Palo Alto, CA
October 22, 2025 SB 79 implementation update
Staff described SB 79 standards and the potential to redistribute development capacity through an alternative plan, while identifying unresolved cost, environmental-review, feasibility, and state-review questions. Council generally supported further analysis through an ad hoc committee.
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