CITY OF LOS ALTOS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026
7:00 p.m.
1 N. San Antonio Rd. ~ Los Altos, CA
Sally Meadows,, Mayor
Larry Lang, Vice Mayor
Pete Dailey, Councilmember
Jonathan D. Weinberg, Councilmember
CALL MEETING TO ORDER – Sally Meadows, Mayor, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ESTABLISH QUORUM – All Councilmembers were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Larry Lang, Vice Mayor, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
There was no reportable action to the Closed Session meeting held on January 27, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. The City Council adjourned the Closed Session meeting to continue the discussion immediately following the adjournment of the regular meeting on January 27, 2026.
CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the order of the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The following members of the public spoke during public comment:
Yanhua Mao
David Zhao
Nancy Martin
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following members of the public spoke regarding items on the Consent Calendar:
Thomas Chapman (Item 3)
Andrea Wald (Item 4)
Teresa Morris (Item 4)
Maria Bautista (Item 4)
Motion by Lang and Second by Weinberg to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Approve the Draft Regular Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2026
2. Affirm 2026 City Council Assignments to Regional Boards and City Commissions
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026
Affirm 2026 City Council Mayoral Appointments to Local, Regional Boards and City Committees and Commissions Pursuant to the City Council Norms and Procedures
3. Adoption of Resolution - Weed Abatement Annual Property Identification Adopt a Resolution Declaring Weeds, Brush and/or Rubbish on Certain Described Properties to be a Public Nuisance and find that this action is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301(h) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
4. Adoption of Resolution - Playground Renovations at Grant Park and Shoup Park
Adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with PlayCore Wisconsin Inc. dba GameTime of Fort Payne, Alabama, to design, purchase, and install new playground equipment and safety surfacing at Grant Park in an amount not-to-exceed $444,098.99 and at Shoup Park in an amount not-to-exceed $536,845.04, with a contingency of up to 15% for each project (not-to-exceed $66,615 for Grant Park and $80,527 for Shoup Park), for a total combined project cost not-toexceed $1,128,086.03, to complete the playground renovations at Grant Park and Shoup Park
5. Adoption of Resolution - Grant Park Project Acceptance Adopt a resolution accepting completion of the Grant Park Building Mechanical and Electrical Renovations Project (CF-01034); authorize the Park & Recreation Director to record a Notice of Completion as required by law; and find the project categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. Adoption of Resolution - Vesting Tentative Map at 996 Loraine Avenue Adopt a Resolution approving a Vesting Tentative Map (Application No. TM22- 0005) for the creation of thirteen (13) condominium lots and one (1) common lot at 996 Loraine Avenue per the recommended findings and conditions of approval; and find the project is statutorily exempt from environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21080.66
Jonathan D. Weinberg, Councilmember, announced that his law firm currently represents the engineering firm for the item on a separate matter, but that he does not have a conflict of interest on the item, which he confirmed with the City Attorney.
Sean Gallegos, Senior Planner, presented the report.
Jeff Potts, Project Applicant Representative, provided a presentation to the City Council.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026
Sally Meadows, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
There were no speakers during the Public Hearing.
Sally Meadows, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Lang to Adopt a Resolution approving a Vesting Tentative Map (Application No. TM22-0005) for the creation of thirteen (13) condominium lots and one (1) common lot at 996 Loraine Avenue per the recommended findings and conditions of approval; and find the project is statutorily exempt from environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21080.66. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
7. Appeal of Development Project at 4898 El Camino Real Adopt a Resolution denying Appeal No. APPL25-0006 and upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of a Design Review and Conditional Use Permit with a State Density Bonus for an eight-story, 85-unit multifamily housing development at 4898 El Camino Real; and find the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15332 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply
Sean Gallegos, Senior Planner, presented the report.
Yanhua Mao and Anatol Shmelev, Appellant Representatives, provided a presentation to the City Council. The appellant, Guiting Ye, did not provide a statement.
Brian O’Niel, Navneet Aron, and Steven Abrams, Applicant Representatives, provided a presentation to the City Council.
Sally Meadows, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
The following members of the public spoke during the Public Hearing:
Thomas Chapman Walter
Anna Shmelev Jing Xin
Alan Loh Kate Farmer
Han Ren Dean Shetty
Ethan Puneet Garg
Sarah Martin Montalvo
Vahid Far Imtesham Chowdhury
Yanhua Mao and Anatol Shmelev, Appellant Representatives, provided a rebuttal statement to the City Council. The appellant, Guiting Ye, did not provide a statement.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026
Brian O’Niel, Jeff Potts, and Navneet Aron, Applicant Representatives, provided a rebuttal statement to the City Council.
Sally Meadows, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Meadows and Second by Weinberg to Adopt a Resolution denying Appeal No. APPL25-0006 and upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of a Design Review and Conditional Use Permit with a State Density Bonus for an eight-story, 85- unit multifamily housing development at 4898 El Camino Real; and find the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15332 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
The City Council took a recess at 9:20 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 9:35 p.m.
8. Adoption of Resolution - Vesting Tentative Map at 4898 El Camino Real Adopt a Resolution approving a Vesting Tentative Map (Application No. TM25- 0001) for the creation of eighty-five (85) condominium lots and one common lot at 4898 El Camino Real per the recommended findings and conditions of approval; and find the project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Jonathan D. Weinberg, Councilmember, announced that his law firm previously associated with the firm who created the map for the item on a separate matter, but that he does not have a conflict of interest on the item, which he confirmed with the City Attorney.
Sean Gallegos, Senior Planner, presented the report.
Pete Carlino, Project Applicant, addressed the City Council.
Sally Meadows, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
The following members of the public spoke during the Public Hearing:
Yanhua Mao
Han Ren
John Mudge
Jeff Potts
Sally Meadows, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Meadows to Adopt a Resolution approving a Vesting Tentative Map (Application No. TM25-0001) for the creation of eighty-five City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026
(85) condominium lots and one common lot at 4898 El Camino Real per the recommended findings and conditions of approval; and find the project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
9. Appeal of the Removal of 81 Pepper Drive from the Los Altos Historic Resource Inventory
Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos denying Appeal No.
APPL25-0004 and upholding the decision of the Historical Commission approving the removal of the property located at 81 Pepper Drive from the Los Altos Historic Resource Inventory; and find the project is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) Sally Meadows, Mayor, announced that although her home is near 81 Pepper Drive, she does not live in the vicinity which would require her to recuse herself from hearing or voting on the item and that she would consider the item objectively.
Brittany Whitehill, Senior Planner, presented the report.
Sally Meadows, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
Jon Baer, Maria Bautista, and Thomas Chapman, Appellants, and April Halberstadt, Appellant Representative, provided a presentation to the City Council.
James Parivash, Project Applicant, addressed the City Council.
The following members of the public spoke during the Public Hearing:
Alice Mansell
Han Ren
Jon Baer, Maria Bautista, and Thomas Chapman, Appellants, provided a rebuttal statement to the City Council.
James Parivas, Project Applicant, provided a rebuttal statement to the City Council.
Sally Meadows, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Lang and Second by Meadows to Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos denying Appeal No. APPL25-0004 and upholding the decision of the Historical Commission approving the removal of the property located at 81 Pepper Drive from the Los Altos Historic Resource Inventory; and find the project is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026
DISCUSSION ITEM
10. City Council Discussion - Vacancy
Discuss and provide direction on City Council vacancy
Sally Meadows, Mayor, opened the item for discussion.
There were no speakers regarding the item.
The City Council continued to the item to the meeting of February 10, 2026 for further discussion.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS / COUNCIL Q&A
There will be no discussion or action on Informational Items. The Council Q&A will be included in the packet the day of the meeting.
11. Tentative Council Calendar and Housing Element Update Implementation Calendar
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Larry Lang, Vice Mayor – Requested a future agenda item:
Traffic flow downtown (Supported by Meadows and Weinberg) ADJOURNMENT – The regular meeting adjourned at 11:36 p.m. to the continued Closed Session meeting from January 27, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting minutes were prepared by Melissa Thurman, City Clerk, for approval at the regular meeting on February 10, 2026. _________________________________ __________________________________ Sally Meadows Melissa Thurman, MMC Mayor City Clerk
The January 27, 2026, City Council meeting recording may be viewed via the following external website: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofLosAltosCA
The City of Los Altos does not own or operate YouTube. The video referenced in these minutes was live at the time the minutes were published.