Palo Alto meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Palo Alto approves 228-unit apartment project, $31M water plant borrowing

The Palo Alto City Council approved an eight-story, 228-unit rental apartment building at 762 San Antonio Road under the state's "Builder's Remedy" provision, and separately authorized up to $31 million in interim borrowing for improvements to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Both actions came in the two weeks ending Aug. 24.

City Council actions

762 San Antonio Road housing (7-0). The council approved the architectural review for the 228-unit rental project on Aug. 17. The vote was unanimous.

ADU conveyance ordinance (4-3). The council passed a substitute motion directing staff to return an ordinance allowing separate accessory dwelling unit conveyance to the Planning Commission. The vote was 4-3.

$31M water plant borrowing (7-0). On Aug. 10, the council authorized interim borrowing of up to $31 million for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, including a five-year revolving credit agreement and related note.

Crescent Park traffic calming (5-2). The council approved the final design for the Crescent Park Traffic Calming Project, including a reduced bulb-out at Southwood and East Crescent.

Weed abatement assessments. The council adopted resolutions confirming assessments for 3500 Deer Creek Rd. (5-0, with Lu and Veenker recused) and for other properties (7-0).

Other council actions. The council reduced the Stormwater Management Oversight Committee from 7 to 5 members (7-0), directed staff to evaluate Historic Resources Board term limits (7-0), and approved consent items 1-18 (7-0), including contracts, ordinances, and budget amendments. On Aug. 17, consent items included an electric supply resolution, a warming/cooling program expansion, and a $298,716 design contract (7-0). Cubberley site negotiations were continued to a date uncertain.

Committee and commission actions

Policy & Services Committee (Aug. 11). The committee voted 3-0 to recommend the council accept the Junior Museum & Zoo Audit results, request a joint session with the Human Relations Commission on the HSRAP+ grant expansion, focus Housing Element Program 6.5 on microhousing, shared housing, and senior housing in transit-oriented areas, and approve a scope of work for legislative advocacy and grant consulting services.

Finance Committee (Aug. 18). The committee voted 2-0-1 (with member Burt absent) to recommend the council authorize refinancing of the 2009A Water Revenue Bonds via up to $20 million in new tax-exempt refunding bonds, and to approve related documents.

Human Relations Commission (Aug. 13). The commission approved its June 11 draft minutes; no other decisions were made.

Other recent meetings (agenda only). The Planning & Transportation Commission held a public hearing on an 82-unit project at 332 Forest Avenue (minutes not yet published). The Historic Resources Board scheduled a hearing on a greenhouse demolition and rebuild at 1431 Waverley Street. The Architectural Review Board held a study session on a 273-unit project at 3997 Fabian Way and a field office at 1185 Skyline Boulevard. The Public Art Commission reviewed a public art plan at 3150 El Camino Real and considered allocating up to $70,000 for Code:ART 2027.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24 (special meeting):** City Council will consider regulatory agreements for the Buena Vista Mobilehome Park redevelopment, two pilot oversized-vehicle parking programs, a $441,056 furniture purchase order, a $170,450 contract amendment for University Avenue Streetscape design, and a second reading of an ordinance increasing contract approval thresholds.
• **Aug. 26:** Economic Development Committee will review the Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction Strategy and the August activity report.
• **Aug. 26:** Planning & Transportation Commission will consider allowing multiple-family residential uses in the ROLM(E) zone and hold a study session on South of Forest Area design standards.
• **Sept. 4:** Climate Action and Sustainability Committee will review the 2025 greenhouse gas inventory and approaches to carbon neutrality.

Palo Alto weekly roundup: UAC minutes approved; council to vote on $2.8M in contracts

In the past two weeks, Palo Alto's only formal decision came from the Utilities Advisory Commission, which approved its June meeting minutes. Several other commissions met but took no action. The coming week brings a busy City Council agenda with more than $2.8 million in contracts and a zoning update, plus hearings on two large housing projects.

Recent decisions

The Utilities Advisory Commission met August 5 and approved the minutes from its June 3 meeting by a 5-0-1 vote, with Commissioner Gupta abstaining. The commission took no action on the Calendar Year 2025 Reliability Metric Update and Annual System Reliability Goal Setting, which was presented as a report item. No other substantive decisions were made.

Other recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The Parks and Recreation Commission (July 28) considered a Park Improvement Ordinance and environmental study for the Arastradero Creek Stabilization and Utility Line Relocation and Repair project, plus an update on nature connectivity. The Architectural Review Board (August 6) reviewed process and design standards for Tier 2 and Tier 3 wireless communication facilities in the public right-of-way. The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee (August 7) discussed the Youth Climate Advisory Board Annual Report, the RWQCP Biosolids Facility Plan Update, and the 2025 Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

Upcoming meetings

The City Council meets August 10 and will vote on several contracts totaling over $2.8 million. These include a $714,639 purchase order for traffic signal network switches, a $286,660 contract for Adobe Creek Substation load tap changer repairs, and a $735,500 contract for substation painting services over 18 months. The council will also hold second readings of zoning ordinances updating commercial downtown flexibility and retail vitality measures, and a public hearing on weed abatement assessments.

On August 11, the Policy & Services Committee will review an audit of the Junior Museum & Zoo, consider expanding the HSRAP Grant Program, provide feedback on the Alternative Housing Program, and discuss a scope of work for legislative advocacy and grant consulting services.

The Planning & Transportation Commission meets August 12 for a public hearing on a proposed eight-story, 82-unit residential building at 332 Forest Avenue (RM-40 zone). The commission will also review and submit its 2026-27 work plan to the City Council.

Two meetings are scheduled for August 13. The Human Relations Commission will hear presentations on affordable senior housing from Alta Housing, Eden Housing, and MidPen Housing, and discuss barriers to senior services, county policies, and property-tax qualifications. The Historic Resources Board will hold a public hearing on a major historic review at 1431 Waverley Street, involving demolition of a greenhouse and accessory structures on a Category 2 Historic Resource and construction of a new greenhouse and one-story horticultural complex.

On August 17, the City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to demolish three commercial buildings at 762 San Antonio Road and build an eight-story, 228-unit rental apartment building under the state's Builders Remedy. The council will also consider an ordinance amending municipal codes regarding accessory dwelling units, and vote on consent items including a $298,716 contract for electrification design services and an expansion of the overnight warming/cooling program. The meeting begins with closed-session discussions on litigation and negotiations for the Cubberley site.

The Finance Committee meets August 18 to consider refinancing the 2009A Water Revenue Bonds with up to $20 million in tax-exempt refunding bonds, and will vote on a recommendation to the City Council.

Coming up

• **City Council** – August 10, 5:00 p.m. (contracts, zoning, weed abatement)
• **Planning & Transportation Commission** – August 12 (82-unit housing at 332 Forest Avenue)
• **City Council** – August 17 (228-unit housing at 762 San Antonio Road, ADU ordinance)
• **Finance Committee** – August 18 ($20M water bond refinancing)