Los Altos City Council
April 14, 2026

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
April 14, 2026 - 7:00 PM
In Person
PARTICIPATION: Members of the public are invited to participate by attending the meeting at the Los Altos Council Chamber, located at Los Altos City Hall, 1 N. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA, during the meeting.

Public comments are accepted in person at the physical meeting location or via email to [email protected] or through the Public Comment forum on the city website: Public Comments Form.

RULES FOR CONDUCT: According to Los Altos Municipal Code, Section 2.05.010 "Interruptions and rules for conduct": Understanding that the purpose of the city council meetings is to conduct the people's business for the benefit of all the people, in the event that any meeting of the city council is willfully interrupted by a person or group of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of the meeting impossible, the mayor, mayor pro tem, or any other member of the city council acting as the chair may order the removal of the person or persons responsible for the disruption and bar them from further attendance at the council meeting, or otherwise proceed pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.0 or any applicable penal statute or city ordinance.

REMOTE MEETING OBSERVATION: Members of the public may view the meeting via the link below, but will not be permitted to provide public comment via Zoom or telephone. Public comments will be accepted in person, and members of the public may submit written comments by following the instructions below. https://losaltosca-gov.zoom.us/j/91374928645?pwd=aztaV8fv1aWR83kqTXTyzAkxmVJYax.1 Telephone: 1-669-444-9171 / Webinar ID: 913 7492 8645 / Passcode: 008662 SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS: Before the meeting, comments on matters listed on the agenda may be emailed to [email protected]. Emailed public comments sent directly to the City Council, either as a group or individually, will not be included in the agenda packet but may be disclosable as part of a public records request. Emails sent to [email protected] will be included in the appropriate agenda packet and are also disclosable as part of a public records request.

Please note: Personal information, such as e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, home addresses, and other contact information, is not required to be included with your comments. If this information is included in your written comments, it will become part of the public record. Redactions and/or edits will not be made to public comments, and the comments will be posted as submitted. Please do not include any information in your communication that you do not want to be made public.

Correspondence submitted in hard copy/paper format must be received by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting to ensure distribution prior to the meeting. Hard copy/paper format comments presented during the meeting will be distributed to the City Council the following day. Members of the public may present a copy of their comments or attachments to the City Clerk for distribution to the City Council.

The Mayor will open public comment and will announce the length of time provided for comments during each item.

AGENDA

CALL MEETING TO ORDER

ESTABLISH QUORUM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION

CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Members of the audience may bring to the Council's attention any item that is not on the agenda. The Mayor will announce the time speakers will be granted before comments begin. Please be advised that, by law, the City Council is unable to discuss or take action on issues presented during the Public Comment Period.

According to State Law (also known as “The Brown Act”) items must first be noted on the agenda before any discussion or action.
04-14-2026 Written Public Comments

CONSENT CALENDAR
These items will be considered by one motion. Prior to consideration of the Consent Calendar, a Councilmember may remove an item from the Consent Calendar. Any item removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion will be handled at the discretion of the Mayor.

1. Approval of Meeting Minutes - Regular Meeting of March 24, 2026

2. Adopt a Resolution – 2026 Summer Concert Series
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the professional services agreement with Thor Audio Solutions for sound and stage for the 2026 Summer Concert Series in the amount of $30,960

PUBLIC HEARING

3. Adoption of Resolution - Tentative Map at 901 Fremont Avenue Adopt a Resolution approving a Tentative Map (TM24-0005) for the creation of nine condominium lots and one common lot at 901 Fremont Avenue, per the recommended findings and conditions of approval in the attached resolution; 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)

DISCUSSION ITEMS

4. Adoption and Introduction of Ordinances — Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas
• Adopt an Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Los Altos, to be read in title only further reading waived, adding a new Chapter 9.30 to the Los Altos Municipal Code entitled "Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas" related to unlawful camping; and find pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3) that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Introduce an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Los Altos, to be read in title only

further reading waived, adding a new Chapter 9.30 to the Los Altos Municipal Code entitled "Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas" related to unlawful camping; and find pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3) that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

5. Adoption of Resolution - Fire Protection Services
Adopt a resolution agreeing to the negotiated exchange of property tax revenue between the City of Los Altos and the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District

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.

6. Tentative Council Calendar and Housing Element Implementation Schedule

7. 04-14-2026 Council QA

COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT

SPECIAL NOTICES TO THE PUBLIC
According to the City Council Norms and Procedures: It will be customary to have a recess at approximately 9:00 p.m. Before the recess, the Mayor shall announce whether any items will be carried over to the next meeting. The established hour after which no new items will be started is 11:00 p.m. Remaining items, however, may be considered by consensus of the Council.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Altos will make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please get in touch with the City Clerk at least 72 hours before the meeting.

All public records relating to an open session item on this agenda, which are not exempt from disclosure according to the California Public Records Act, and that are distributed to a majority of the legislative body, will be available for public inspection at the same time that the public records are distributed or made available to the legislative body.

From: ForLosAltos
To: City Council; Public Comment
Subject: Los Altos City Council Standards of Public Communications Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 10:09:33 AM
Dear Mayor and Members of Los Altos City Council,
ForLosAltos, a grassroots community organization representing Los Altos residents and local businesses, is writing to express concern regarding a recent public statement made by Councilmember Pete Dailey on the public community online forum Nextdoor.

In his March 31, 2026, statement, Councilmember Dailey described a citizen-led voter initiative which focuses on requiring voter approval before the sale or significant alteration of public land as reflecting “the same sentiment that gave us redlining and segregation.”
This comparison is a false equivalence. Redlining and segregation were systems of racial exclusion. The initiative in question is a neutral governance measure that applies equally to all residents and is intended to ensure public participation in decisions involving public assets.

Invoking the language of historic discrimination in this context is misleading and diminishes the gravity of those injustices. It also risks discouraging good-faith civic participation by framing a standard democratic process as discriminatory.

ForLosAltos supports thoughtful, informed public dialogue on issues affecting our community. We respectfully ask that the Los Altos City Council reaffirm its commitment to accurate, responsible, and constructive communication when engaging with residents.

We request that this correspondence be included in the public record.

Sincerely,
The ForLosAltos Community

From: Beth Guillaumin
To: Public Comment
Subject: Park project downtown
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 2:24:25 PM
[You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
I highly disagree with this project! The downtown is my town too even though I live in the Hills.

Beth Perrell
LAH
Sent from my iPad

From: Ken Bauco
To: Public Comment
Subject: Reserved: Complimentary Pass for Infraday California (April 22–23, Los Angeles) Date: Monday, April 13, 2026 6:46:56 AM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Greetings:

I wanted to invite you to join us at the 8th Infraday California, taking place April 22–23 in Los Angeles:
www.infraday.com/california
We’re bringing together public agencies, utilities, cities, and private sector leaders to focus on how infrastructure is actually being planned, funded, and delivered across California.

The agenda is built around the key issues driving projects right now, including:

Grid infrastructure, electrification, and rising power demand from AI and data centers Water supply, wastewater, and long-term resource planning Ports, airports, freight, and Olympic-related investment Capital program delivery and managing large-scale infrastructure portfolios Housing, broadband, and digital infrastructure tied to growth The infrastructure constraints behind the data center boom If this is relevant to your work, and you’d like to attend, please let me know and I will send you a complimentary ticket. Feel free to also share with members of your team.

Let me know if you have any questions—happy to help.

Best,
Ken Bauco
Founder & CEO | Infraday
[email protected] | (646) 675-0171
If you’d like to be removed from future emails, simply reply “unsubscribe” and we’ll take care of it.

Confidentiality Notice: This message and any attachments are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.

From: James Lloyd
To: Public Comment; Pete Dailey; Larry Lang; Sally Meadows; Jonathan Weinberg Cc: Administration; Planning Services; Jolie Houston
Subject: [External Sender]public comment re item 3 for the 4/14/26 Council meeting Date: Monday, April 13, 2026 4:14:33 PM
Attachments: Los Altos - 901 Fremont Avenue - HAA Letter.pdf You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Dear Los Altos City Council,
The California Housing Defense Fund (“CalHDF”) submits the attached public comment re item 3 for the 4/14/26 Council meeting, the proposed 9-unit housing development project at 901 Fremont Avenue.

Sincerely,
James M. Lloyd
Director of Planning and Investigations
California Housing Defense Fund
[email protected]
CalHDF is grant & donation funded
Donate today - https://calhdf.org/donate/

Apr 13, 2026
City of Los Altos
1 North San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022
Re: Proposed Housing Development Project at 901 Fremont Avenue By email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Dear Los Altos City Council,
The California Housing Defense Fund (“CalHDF”) submits this letter to remind the City of its obligation to abide by all relevant state laws when evaluating the proposed 9-unit housing development project at 901 Fremont Avenue. These laws include the Housing Accountability Act (“HAA”), AB 130, and California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) guidelines.

The HAA provides the project legal protections. It requires approval of zoning and general plan compliant housing development projects unless findings can be made regarding specific, objective, written health and safety hazards. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (j).) The HAA also bars cities from imposing conditions on the approval of such projects that would reduce the project’s density unless, again, such written findings are made. (Ibid.) As a development with at least two-thirds of its area devoted to residential uses, the project falls within the HAA’s ambit, and it complies with local zoning code and the City’s general plan.

The HAA’s protections therefore apply, and the City may not reject the project except based on health and safety standards, as outlined above. Furthermore, if the City rejects the project or impairs its feasibility, it must conduct “a thorough analysis of the economic, social, and environmental effects of the action.” (Id. at subd. (b).) Additionally, the project is exempt from state environmental review under the Class 32 CEQA categorical exemption (In-Fill Development Projects) pursuant to section 15332 of the CEQA Guidelines, as the project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as the applicable zoning designation and regulations; the proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more 2201 Broadway, PH1, Oakland, CA 94612
www.calhdf.org

than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; the project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and the site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. Furthermore, the project is eligible for a statutory exemption from CEQA pursuant to AB 130. (Pub. Res. Code, § 21080.66) Caselaw from the California Court of Appeal affirms that local governments err, and may be sued, when they improperly refuse to grant a project a CEQA exemption or streamlined CEQA review to which it is entitled. (Hilltop Group, Inc. v. County of San Diego (2024) 99 Cal.App.5th 890, 911.)
As you are well aware, California remains in the throes of a statewide crisis-level housing shortage. New housing such as this is a public benefit: it will increase the city’s tax base; it will bring new customers to local businesses; and it will reduce displacement of existing residents by reducing competition for existing housing. It will also help cut down on transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by providing housing in denser, more urban areas, as opposed to farther-flung regions in the state (and out of state). While no one project will solve the statewide housing crisis, the proposed development is a step in the right direction. CalHDF urges the City to approve it, consistent with its obligations under state law.

CalHDF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission includes advocating for increased access to housing for Californians at all income levels, including low-income households. You may learn more about CalHDF at www.calhdf.org.

Sincerely,
Dylan Casey
CalHDF Executive Director
James M. Lloyd
CalHDF Director of Planning and Investigations
2 of 2

From: Jessie Hewins
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment re Camping and Storage of Property in Public Areas Date: Monday, April 13, 2026 4:52:45 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Hello,
I would like to submit a comment regarding the proposed Camping and Storage of Property in Public Areas ordinance being considered at this week's City Council meeting. I am opposed to this ordinance being adopted in the City of Los Altos. I was born and raised in Los Altos and am now raising my own family here. I am deeply committed to fostering an inclusive community that respects the humanity and dignity of all residents and this ordinance does not do that.

No matter how you frame this type of ordinance -- in this case saying that it regulates the conduct of camping in public spaces as opposed to the status of someone as homeless -- the effect is the same. You are just moving homeless folks down the road.

The only people who are sleeping outside in Los Altos are people who are currently experiencing homelessness. This ordinance bans people from being homeless in our city, plain and simple. While people experiencing homelessness might make some housed residents feel uncomfortable by their mere existence in our city, it is inhumane and ineffective to take this approach. Moreover, it is traumatic and disruptive for people experiencing homelessness to be constantly uprooted and moved around.

We simply don't have the shelter and housing resources in Santa Clara County to offer them to every person living on the street. There are also real and valid reasons that people would choose to live outside rather than in a shelter -- for example, if they have a pet or belongings that they don't want to leave behind or have experienced trauma that is exacerbated by being in a shelter environment. And if they aren't allowed to camp in Los Altos, they won't somehow become housed -- they will just move along to the next city or the next spot.

No one wants to sleep outside, but some people have to because there is no alternative. If we want people to not need to camp in our city, we should be investing in more affordable housing and connecting people with supportive services so that they can find employment and housing, instead of just telling them they need to leave.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Jessie Hewins

CITY OF LOS ALTOS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 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 – Pete Dailey, Councilmember, was absent. All remaining Councilmembers were present.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Sally Meadows, Mayor, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session meeting prior to the regular meeting.

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:
• Zoe Allanic
• Caroline Horn
• Leslie Desaeyare

CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Weinberg and Second by MEadows to approve the Consent Calendar, with amendments to Item 5 (Council Norms), as detailed in the Council QA document. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

1. Approval of Meeting Minutes – Draft Regular Meeting of March 10, 2026

2. Acceptance of Investment Reports
Receive and file the City’s Investment Portfolio Reports for the quarters ending December 31, 2025

3. Acceptance of Treasurer's Report
Receive and file the City’s Treasurer’s Report for the quarter ending December 31, 2025

4. Adoption of Resolution - Weed Abatement Final Commencement Report (2026) Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos instructing the Santa Clara County Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency to proceed with the abatement of hazardous vegetation and find that this action is exempt from environmental

City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2026

review pursuant to Section 15301(h) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines

5. Adoption of Norms - City Council Norms and Procedures Adopt the revised City Council Norms and Procedures

6. Adoption of Resolution - Below Market Rate (BMR) Unit Transfer Exemption Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos authorizing the City Manager to determine that a revocable living trust qualifies as an exemption from the definition of a Transfer for the twelve (12) Below Market Rate (BMR) for-sale units with recorded covenants that do not currently include this exemption, and such other interpretations of these recorded covenants as deemed necessary

7. Approval of Flag Raising - Progress Pride
Approve the raising of the Progress Pride Flag for the month of June 2026

8. Approval of Flag Raising - Juneteenth
Approve the raising of the Juneteenth Flag for the month of June 2026

DISCUSSION ITEMS

9. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Presentation Receive Presentation from Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and provide feedback as necessary
Sam Sargent, VTA Director of Strategy and Transformation, presented the item.

The following member of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Stefanie Singer
Discussion item only. No motion taken.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS / COUNCIL Q&A

10. Tentative Council Calendar and Housing Element Implementation

11. 03-10-26 Council Q&A

COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT – The regular meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

The meeting minutes were prepared by Melissa Thurman, City Clerk, for approval at the regular meeting on April 14, 2026.

City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2026

_________________________________ __________________________________ Sally Meadows Melissa Thurman, MMC
Mayor City Clerk
The March 24, 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.

City Council Staff Report
Meeting Date: April 14, 2026
Prepared By: Jaime Chew
Approved By: Gabe Engeland
Subject: Adopt a Resolution – 2026 Summer Concert Series

COUNCIL PRIORITY AREA
General Government

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the professional services agreement with Thor Audio Solutions for sound and stage for the 2026 Summer Concert Series in the amount of $30,960

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action does not qualify as a “Project” as defined in California Government Code Section 15378(b) of the Guidelines for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

FISCAL IMPACT
The following action will cost a total not to exceed $30,960 for FY 27 which will provide sound and stage for the upcoming 2026 Summer Concert Series. The amount for this agreement is included in the annual Parks & Recreation department operating budget. The original contract amount is $76,360. The grand total for the 2026 Summer Concert Series sound and stage services will not exceed $107,320.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
None

BACKGROUND
The Parks & Recreation department has been hosting summer concerts in the park since June 2006, when a single concert was held at Grant Park. Due to the interest and popularity of this event, the program soon expanded to three (3) concerts in 2008, spanning multiple locations— Grant Park, the Hillview Soccer Field, and Heritage Oaks Park. At the program’s peak, nine (9) concerts were hosted during the summer season between June – August 2011. The Summer Concert Series continued as an eight (8) concert series from 2012 through 2019, with a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In summer 2023, the beloved Summer Concert Series returned with six (6) concerts, hosted at Grant Park and the Hillview Soccer Field. In summer 2024, the Summer Concert Series expanded to seven (7) concerts to include a collaboration with the Peninsula Symphony. In summer 2025, over the seven (7) concerts, attendance ranged from 300 – 600 attendees per concert, with a total series attendance of approximately 2,800+.

In January 2023, city staff requested proposals from several local vendors to provide sound and stage for the 2023 Summer Concert Series. Thor Audio Solutions was selected as the most qualified service provider. In May 2023, the city executed a 2-year agreement with Thor Audio Solutions to provide sound and stage for the six (6) summer concerts in summer 2023. An amendment to the agreement was executed in May 2024 to add the seventh summer concert— the collaboration with the Peninsula Symphony. As a result of Thor Audio Solutions providing excellent service, the Parks & Recreation department exercised the option to execute a 1-year contract extension for the 2025 Summer Concert Series.

ANALYSIS
None

DISCUSSION
For summer 2026, the Parks & Recreation department is scheduled to host a seven (7) concert series. The concert schedule will be as follows:

Grant Park
• June 13 – Peninsula Symphony
• June 18
• June 25
• July 9
Hillview Soccer Field
• July 16
• July 23
• July 30
The seven (7) concert schedule is the most manageable based upon other department run special events during the summer season—Family Fun Day in June and August, Glorious 4th Celebration in July, and the Los Altos vs. Los Altos Hills Softball Game in August.

Over the past three (3) summer seasons, Thor Audio Solutions has provided quality service to support our Summer Concert Series by providing sound and stage. As a result, city staff is recommending to exercise the option to execute another 1-year contract extension for the 2026 Summer Concert Series.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Attachment 1 - Resolution

Resolution 2026- Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALTOS

TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THOR AUDIO SOLUTIONS FOR SOUND AND STAGE FOR THE 2026 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,960 FOR A TOTAL AGREEMENT NOT TO EXCEED $107,320.

WHEREAS, the Parks & Recreation department has been hosting summer concerts in the park since June 2006; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Summer Concert Series hosted 2,800+ attendees, with individual attendance ranging from 300 – 600 per concert; and
WHEREAS, the Parks & Recreation department is scheduled to host a seven (7) concert series in summer 2026; and
WHEREAS, the city selected Thor Audio Solutions as the most qualified service provider of sound and stage, and executed a 2-year agreement in May 2023; and WHEREAS, the city executed amendment 1 to add the seventh concert, a collaboration with the Peninsula Symphony in May 2024, and the city executed amendment 2 to exercise the option to extend the contract for one (1) year for the 2025 Summer Concert Series; and WHEREAS, the annual cost for this amendment will be included in the annual Parks & Recreation department operating budget; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the city of Los Altos hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute an amendment to the professional services agreement with Thor Audio Solutions for sound and stage for the 2026 Summer Concert Series in the amount of $30,960.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the city of Los Altos at a meeting thereof on the 14th day of April, 2026 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
___________________________
Sally Meadows, MAYOR

Resolution 2026- Page 2 of 2
Attest:
_____________________________
Melissa Thurman, MMC

CITY CLERK

City Council Staff Report
Meeting Date: April 14, 2026
Prepared By: Jia Liu
Approved By: Gabe Engeland
Subject: Adoption of Resolution - Tentative Map at 901 Fremont Avenue

COUNCIL PRIORITY AREA
Housing
General Government

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution approving a Tentative Map (TM24-0005) for the creation of nine condominium lots and one common lot at 901 Fremont Avenue, per the recommended findings and conditions of approval in the attached resolution; 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)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15332 (Class 32) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because (1) the project is consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance; (2) occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than 5 acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; (3) is located on a site that does not have value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; (4) would not result in any significant impacts relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (5) is adequately served by all required utilities and services. Additionally, none of the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project.

FISCAL IMPACT
None.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
None.

BACKGROUND
Property Description
The project site is approximately 0.70-acres located on the north side of Fremont Avenue within the CN (Commercial Neighborhood) Zoning District. The site is currently developed with a vacant one-story commercial building and surface-level parking lot that was previously occupied by Bank of America.

Surrounding land uses include single-family residential homes to the north, a two-story dental

office building to the west, a two-story office building to the south, and a multifamily residential development to the east. Across Fremont Avenue and Foothill Expressway are single-family residential neighborhoods located within the County of Santa Clara.

Project Overview
The application includes a Tentative Map for residential condominium purposes, which would subdivide the site into nine residential condominium units and one common area lot (see Attachment 2). The proposed map is in relation to an approved Design Review and Density Bonus application to construct a nine-unit multifamily development and associated parking and site improvements.

Planning Commission Review
On March 19, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to review the Design Review and Tentative Map applications. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the Design Review application and recommended approval of the Tentative Map application to the City Council. The Planning Commission Staff Report is included as Attachment 3.

ANALYSIS
The proposed subdivision would create nine residential condominium units and one common lot. The Tentative Map has been reviewed for consistency with the City’s General Plan, Subdivision Ordinance, and the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Section 66410 et seq.).

As set forth in the recommended findings and conditions within the Draft Resolution (Attachment 1), the Tentative Map is legally and technically feasible and complies with all applicable requirements.

DISCUSSION
See Analysis Section above.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution

2. Attachment 2 - Tentative Map

3. Attachment 3 - Planning Commission Staff Report

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALTOS

APPROVING A TENTATIVE MAP TO SUBDIVIDE ONE LOT INTO NINE CONDOMINIUM LOTS AND ONE COMON LOT AT 901 FREMONT AVENUE WHEREAS, the applicant, Worldco Holding, LLC, submitted an application for a Tentative Map (TM24-0005) to subdivide an existing 30,699 square foot lot into nine (9) condominium lots and one (1) common lot; and
WHEREAS, the Project was processed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the California Government Code and Los Altos Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2026, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing at which members of the public were afforded an opportunity to comment on the project, and at the conclusion of the meeting, the Planning Commission recommended the City Council approve the Tentative Map; and
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2026, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law and considered public testimony and evidence and recommendations presented by staff in connection with the Project; and
WHEREAS, the finding and conclusions made by the City Council in the Resolution are based upon the oral and written evidence presented as well as the entirety of the administrative record for the proposed Project, which is incorporated herein by this reference. The findings are not based on the information provided in this Resolution; and WHEREAS, approval of the Project is categorically exempt from environmental review under Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because (1) the project is consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, as modified by State Density Bonus Law; (2) occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than 5 acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; (3) is located on a site that does not have value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; (4) would not result in any significant impacts relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (5) is adequately served by all required utilities and services. Additionally, none of the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project; and
WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Los Altos hereby approves the Tentative Map subject to the findings (Exhibit A) and Conditions of Approval (Exhibit B) attached hereto and incorporated by this reference.

Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 2
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Los Altos at a meeting thereof on the fourteenth day of April 2026 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

___________________________
Sally Meadows, MAYOR
Attest:
____________________________
Melissa Thurman, MMC, CITY CLERK

Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 3

EXHIBIT A

FINDINGS
With regard to the Tentative Map (Application No. TM24-0005), the City Council finds the following in accordance with Chapter 4, Article 1, Section 66474 of the Subdivision Map Act of the State of California:

A. The proposed subdivision is not consistent with applicable general and specific plans as specified in 65451.

This finding cannot be made. The proposed subdivision is consistent with the Los Altos General Plan, including both the Land Use Element and the Housing Element. The project site is designated Neighborhood Commercial, which allows subdivision for the creation of nine condominium lots and one common lot. The resulting lots comply with the land use and density provisions of the General Plan, as modified by State Density Bonus Law, and are consistent with Housing Element policies that promote the development of new housing opportunities.

The project site is not located within an area governed by an adopted specific plan.

B. That the design or improvement of the proposed subdivision is not consistent with applicable general and specific plans.

This Finding cannot be made. The design and improvement of the proposed subdivision are consistent with the Los Altos General Plan, including the Land Use Element and the Housing Element. The project site is designated Neighborhood Commercial, which allows subdivision to create nine condominium lots and one common lot. The resulting lots comply with the land use and density standards established by the General Plan, as modified by State Density Bonus Law, and further support the Housing Element’s goals and policies to facilitate the development of housing opportunities. The project site is not located within an area subject to an adopted specific plan.

C. That the site is not physically suitable for the type of development.

This Finding cannot be made. The project site is physically suitable for the proposed type of development. The subdivision is consistent with the General Plan and complies with all applicable development standards of the CN Zoning District, as modified by State Density Bonus Law. The site is located within an established, urbanized area of the City and is surrounded by similar commercial and residential uses. The size, configuration, and physical characteristics of the site support the proposed development type, and the site is adequately served by existing public infrastructure and services. No physical constraints have been identified that would preclude development of the proposed type at this location.

D. That the site is not physically suitable for the proposed density of development.

This Finding cannot be made. The project site is physically suitable for the proposed density of development. The subdivision is consistent with the General Plan and complies with all applicable development standards of the CN Zoning District, as modified by State Density

Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 4
Bonus Law. The site is located within an urbanized area of the City that is served by existing public infrastructure and services and is surrounded by similar development patterns. The size, configuration, and location of the site support the proposed density, and no physical constraints exist that would preclude development at the proposed density.

E. That the design of the subdivision or the proposed improvements are likely to cause substantial environmental damage or substantially and avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat.

This Finding cannot be made. The design of the subdivision and the proposed improvements will not result in substantial environmental damage, nor will they substantially or avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat. The project site is located within a fully developed, urbanized area of the city and is not situated within or adjacent to any environmentally sensitive habitat areas, riparian corridors, wetlands, or wildlife movement corridors. The proposed subdivision involves development on an infill site with no known biological resources of concern, and the design and improvements are consistent with applicable city policies and development standards intended to avoid or minimize environmental impacts.

F. That the design of the subdivision or type of improvements is likely to cause serious public health problems.

This Finding cannot be made. The design of the subdivision will not cause serious public health problems because the site is located within an urban context and has access to existing services, including sewer, water, electricity, and public street circulation system. The site is, and will continue to be, served by the Los Altos Police Department and Santa Clara County Fire Department.

G. That the design of the subdivision or the type of improvements will conflict with easements, acquired by the public at large, for access through or use of, property within the proposed subdivision. In this connection, the governing body may approve a map if it finds that alternate easements, for access or for use, will be provided, and that these will be substantially equivalent to ones previously acquired by the public. This subsection shall apply only to easements of record or to easements established by judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and no authority is hereby granted to a legislative body to determine that the public at large has acquired easements for access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision.

This Finding cannot be made. The design of the subdivision will not conflict with any easements acquired by the public at large for access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision. An existing sanitary sewer easement of record abutting Loraine Avenue will be relocated as part of the project. The relocated easement will continue to provide substantially equivalent access and use for public utility purposes and will be designed to avoid conflicts with proposed structures and improvements. No other easements of record or court-established easements have been identified that would be adversely affected by the subdivision.

Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 5
H. Approval of the Project is categorically exempt from environmental review under Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because (1) the project is consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, as modified by State Density Bonus Law; (2) occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than 5 acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; (3) is located on a site that does not have value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; (4) would not result in any significant impacts relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (5) is adequately served by all required utilities and services. Additionally, none of the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project.

Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 6

EXHIBIT B

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

PLANNING DIVISION

1. Approved Plans: The project shall be developed in substantial compliance with the design plans and support materials and technical reports approved as part of Los Altos planning application TM24-0005, except as modified by these conditions as specified below.

2. Expiration: This Permit is valid for a period of two years and will expire on April 14, 2028, unless prior to the date of expiration, the Final Map is recorded, or an extension is granted pursuant to the Los Altos Municipal Code.

3. Revisions to the Approved Project: Minor revisions to the approved plans which are found to be in substantial compliance with the approval may be approved by the Development Services Director and City Engineer.

4. Notice of Right to Protest: The conditions of project approval set forth herein include certain fees, dedication requirements, reservation requirements, and other exactions. Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(d)(1), these conditions constitute written notice of a statement of the amount of such fees, and a description of the dedications, reservations, and other exactions. You are hereby further notified that the 90-day period in which you may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and other exactions pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(a) began on the date of approval of this project. If you fail to file a protest within this 90-day period complying with all of the requirements of Section 66020, you will be legally barred from later challenging such exactions.

5. Indemnity and Hold Harmless: The applicant/owner agrees to indemnify, defend, protect, and hold the City harmless from all costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurred by the City or held to be the liability of the City in connection with the City’s defense of its actions in any proceedings brought in any State or Federal Court, challenging any of the City’s action with respect to the applicant’s project. The City may withhold final maps and/or permits, including temporary or final occupancy permits, for failure to pay all costs and expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by the City in connection with the City's defense of its actions.

ENGINEERING DIVISION

6. Public Utility Dedication: The applicant shall dedicate public utility easements as required by the City of Los Altos and utility companies to serve the site.

7. Subdivision Agreement: The applicant shall sign and return Subdivision Improvement Agreement to the City for records and recordation prior to the recordation of the final map.

Resolution No. 2026-XX Page 7

8. Condominium Map: The applicant shall record the condominium map as required by the City Engineer prior to the final occupancy.

9. Maintenance Bond: A one-year, ten-percent maintenance bond shall be submitted upon acceptance of improvements in the public right-of-way.

10. Right-of-Way or Easement Abandonment: The applicant shall vacate all existing public easements which are or will no longer be needed or conflict with the proposed buildings and structures. All vacations shall be completed and recorded prior to the issuance of a building permit.

11. Public Improvements: The applicant shall install new sidewalk, ADA ramps, curb and gutter along the project frontages of Fremont Ave. The sidewalk width along Fremont Avenue shall be 5’, not including the 6” concrete curb. The applicant shall install new ADA ramps on each side of the driveway entrances. All sidewalks in the public right-of-way shall be City Standard concrete sidewalks.

12. Final Map Recordation: The applicant shall record the final map prior to the issuance of the building permits.

13. Encroachment Permit: An encroachment permit shall be obtained from the Engineering Division prior to doing any work within the public right-of-way including the street shoulder.

14. Sewer Lateral: Any proposed sewer lateral connection shall be approved by the City Engineer. Only one sewer lateral per lot shall be installed. All existing unused sewer laterals shall be abandoned according to the City Standards, cut and cap 12” away from the main.

15. Cost Estimate and Performance Bonds: The applicant shall submit a cost estimate for the improvements in the public right-of-way and shall submit a 100 percent performance bond or cash deposit (to be held until acceptance of improvements) and a 50 percent labor and material bond (to be held 6 months after acceptance of improvements) for the work in the public right-ofway.

16. Public Utilities: The applicant shall contact electric, gas, communication, and water utility companies regarding the installation of new utility services to the site.

17. Sewage Capacity Study: The applicant shall show sewer connection to the City sewer main and submit calculations showing that the City’s existing sewer main will not exceed two-thirds full due to the additional sewage capacity from the proposed project. For any segment that is calculated to exceed two-thirds full for average daily flow or for any segment that the flow is surcharged in the main due to peak flow, the applicant shall upgrade the sewer line to appropriate size. The proposed 8-inch sewer line upgrade and relocation of the sewer easement will be evaluated upon finalization of the on-site improvement design and sewage capacity study.

PLANNING COMMISSION

STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: March 19, 2026
Subject: 901 Fremont Avenue – 9 Unit Residential Development Prepared by: Jia Liu, Associate Planner
Initiated by: Alvin Chan, on behalf of Worldco Holding, LLC Attachments:

1. Draft Resolution - Design Review

2. Draft Resolution - Tentative Map

3. Project Plans

4. Density Bonus Report

5. Art Proposal

6. Public Comment
Recommendation

1. Adopt a Resolution approving a Design Review (D24-0008) for the construction of a threestory, multi-family development with nine residential units with a State Density Bonus with a concession and waivers at 901 Fremont Avenue, per the recommended findings and conditions of approval in the attached resolution; 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).

2. Recommend the City Council adopt a Resolution approving a Tentative Map (TM24-0005) for the creation of nine condominium lots and one common lot at 901 Fremont Avenue, per the recommended findings and conditions of approval in the attached resolution; 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).

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Multifamily Development at 901 Fremont Avenue

Background
Property Description
The project site is approximately 0.70-acres located on the north side of Fremont Avenue within the CN (Commercial Neighborhood) Zoning District. The site is currently developed with a vacant one-story commercial building and surface-level parking lot that was previously occupied by Bank of America.

Surrounding land uses include single-family residential homes to the north, a two-story dental office building to the west, a two-story office building to the south, and a multi-family residential development to the east. Across Fremont Avenue and Foothill Expressway are single-family residential neighborhoods located within the County of Santa Clara.

Preliminary Project Review
The applicant submitted an SB 330 preliminary application on April 25, 2024. Under the Housing Crisis Act, this preliminary filing “freezes” the applicable fees and development standards as of that date, referred to in this staff report and the accompanying resolutions as the Effective Zoning Standards, so long as the applicant files a formal application within 180 days and the project scope remains substantially consistent. The developer submitted the required formal applications on October 9, 2024, with a substantially consistent scope. As a result, the City standards that apply to this project are those in effect on April 25, 2024, and all analysis in this staff report is based on those zoning standards.

Project Overview
The proposed project involves the demolition of the existing vacant commercial building on the site and the construction of two stand-alone, three-story multifamily residential buildings. In addition to the new buildings, the project includes associated landscaping and site improvements.

Building 1 is located on the west side of the site and contains five residential units and building 2 is situated on the east side of the site and contains four residential units, resulting in a total of nine units within the development. An access driveway is situated between the two buildings, and a landscaped open space area is located at the rear of the site. Each unit includes four bedrooms and either four or four-and-one-half bathrooms. The units vary in size, ranging from approximately 3,400 square feet to 4,250 square feet. The project includes one very low-income affordable unit (Attachment 3).

Design
The proposed buildings are designed in a modern architectural style, incorporating a combination of flat and gable roofs and a mix of exterior finish materials, including stucco, wood siding, aluminum metal panels, fiber cement panels, and stone veneer. Additional architectural elements, such as wood entry and garage doors, aluminum window frames, and glass balcony railings, enhance visual interest and provide articulation to the building façades.

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Multifamily Development at 901 Fremont Avenue

The primary component of the ground floor consists of a two-car garage for each unit, providing independent vehicle and bicycle access. Additional ground-floor spaces include a separate pedestrian entry, a small living room, one full bathroom, and a den. Each unit also includes a private yard ranging in size from 540 square feet to 818 square feet, enclosed by a six-foot-high wood fence. The exterior material on the ground floor is characterized by manufactured ledgestone veneer, complemented by wood garage and entry doors. Projected canopies and recessed entries establish a pedestrian-scale environment and provide weather protection.

The second floor contains the primary living areas, including the kitchen, living area, laundry room, one bedroom, and one full or half bathroom. A projecting balcony, accessed from the kitchen, provides additional outdoor space. The third floor includes three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, along with a small balcony accessed from Bedroom 1. Architecturally, the upper floors incorporate aluminum metal panel projections with a depth of approximately one foot along the building elevations, which articulate the design and break up the wall plane. Horizontal elements, including projecting balconies, glass railings, and metal awnings, contribute to visual balance and enhance architectural interest.

Parking and Circulation
The project provides a total of 21 vehicle parking spaces and 20 bicycle parking spaces. 18 covered parking spaces and 18 long-term bicycle spaces are accommodated within each unit’s two-car garage. The remaining three uncovered parking spaces, including one accessible space, and two short-term bicycle parking spaces are provided in the surface parking lot.

A primary driveway from Fremont Avenue provides vehicular access to eight units within Building 1 and Building 2. A secondary driveway from Loraine Avenue is provided exclusively to serve the end unit of Building 2. Pedestrian circulation is accommodated throughout the site via an internal walkway system. Walkways run adjacent to the main driveway along the frontage of both buildings and connect directly to Fremont Avenue.

Trees and Landscaping
The site currently contains 11 existing trees that have a diameter in four inches or greater, eight of which are protected, including one Chinese Pistache, five Cork Oak, one multi-trunk Coast Live Oak, and one Evergreen Pear tree. Five protected trees are proposed for removal due to building footprints, necessary site improvements, and/or grading limits for the proposed buildings and three protected trees will be retained. The project proposes twenty-three (23) new trees of various species, significantly exceeding the minimum replacement requirement of five trees and substantially enhancing the site’s long-term urban tree canopy.

In addition to preserving the existing protected trees on-site, the project includes a comprehensive landscape plan designed to improve the site’s visual quality, shade coverage, and overall environmental character. Site improvements also include new sidewalks and gutters that will enhance the pedestrian environment, as well as residential amenities such as tables, benches, and outdoor barbeque areas to support outdoor gathering and recreation. The proposed landscaping

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Multifamily Development at 901 Fremont Avenue

incorporates a diverse palette of vegetation, including tall canopy trees, mid-sized shrubs, and ground cover strategically distributed throughout the site to create a more attractive and cohesive landscape setting for the development.

Analysis
General Plan
The project is consistent with the Los Altos General Plan, including the Housing Element, which establishes City policy to promote the production of new housing, encourage a diversity of housing types, and rely on infill and redevelopment within the existing urban area to meet regional housing needs. As Los Altos is a largely built-out community with limited vacant land, the General Plan anticipates that new housing opportunities will occur primarily through modest-scale infill projects such as the proposed development.

The project directly advances these policies by adding nine new residential units to the City’s housing stock on an infill site, thereby making efficient use of existing land and infrastructure. In addition, the project will contribute toward meeting the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and is aligned with the City’s adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element, which relies on incremental residential development across multiple sites to satisfy state-mandated housing obligations. One of the nine units will be restricted as a very low-income unit, further supporting the Housing Element’s objective to provide housing opportunities across a range of income levels and to affirmatively further fair housing within the community.

Zoning
The project complies with the Zoning Standards of the CN Zoning District, as modified by State Density Bonus Law. An analysis of the project’s compliance with CN standards is provided in the table below:

CN Zoning District Zoning Standards
Requirement Proposal Project Compliance
Density 6 units 9 units
The project complies
with Density Bonus Law;
additional information
provided under “Density
Bonus Request” section
Front Setback 0 8’ Project Complies
Side Setback 0 0’ Project Complies
Rear Setback 20’ 20’ Project Complies
Height 45’ and 4 stories 35’ and 3 stories Project Complies

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Multifamily Development at 901 Fremont Avenue

Floor Area Ratio 0 1.15 Project Complies
Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Zoning Standards
Vehicle Spaces 23 spaces 21 spaces
Waiver requested;
additional information
provided under “Density
Bonus Request” section
Bicycle Spaces
Short-term (Class-II)
bicycle parking: 1 space
Long-term (Class-I)
bicycle parking: 14
spaces
Short-term (Class-II)
bicycle parking: 2
spaces
Long-term (Class-I)
bicycle parking: 18
spaces
Project Complies
Objective Design Control Standards for CN Zoning District In addition to the zoning standards noted above, the project is subject to the City’s Objective Design Control Standards per Los Altos Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 14.40.150 for the CN Zoning District and Section 14.66.280 for all multi-family and mixed-use projects. With the exception of the Density Bonus Concession and Waivers requested by the applicant to deviate from some of the objective standards, the project is found consistent with all objective design control standards. The concession and waivers requested for the objective design control standards are provided under the “Density Bonus Request” section.

Density Bonus Request
The Neighborhood Commercial (NC) General Plan designation and zoning district do not establish a fixed maximum dwelling unit density. In the absence of such a limit, LAMC Section 14.28.050.2 requires calculation of a base density based on a hypothetical development that complies with all applicable development standards and uses an average unit size consistent with the proposed project.

The project’s base density was calculated assuming a development consistent with all applicable standards, resulting in a base density of six dwelling units per acre for the site. Under California’s Density Bonus Law (Government Code Section 65915), the applicant proposes one very-lowincome unit, which qualifies the project for a 50 percent density bonus. This allows three additional units, for a total of nine units on the site. A Density Bonus Report (Attachment 4) has been submitted documenting compliance with state and local requirements, including the following requested concession and waivers.

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Multifamily Development at 901 Fremont Avenue

Concession
Pursuant to LAMC Section 14.44.030, mixed-use developments with commercial and residential uses are permitted in the CN Zoning District. The applicant requests a concession to eliminate the required nonresidential component and allow a 100 percent residential project. The concession is needed because it is found that commercial uses at this location are economically infeasible, as constructing commercial space would not generate sufficient income to justify the costs, rendering the project financially unviable. Allowing the entire project to be residential reduces development costs, provides additional space for units, and helps support the inclusion of affordable housing.

Waivers
Density Bonus Law allows eligible density bonus projects to request unlimited waivers. Waivers are a reduction in site development standards or a modification of zoning code requirements that would otherwise be required that would have the effect of physically precluding the development, including the affordable units and density bonus units, from being constructed. The project requests waivers from 12 development standards, which are described below:
• Upper-Story Step-Backs: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150.B.1, along all frontages except for El Camino Real, the third story must be either stepped back a minimum five feet from the ground floor façade or embedded in a sloped roof form. The project requests a waiver to permit zero setbacks on the third story.
• Horizontal Articulation: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150 B.4, the top of each building mass/bay shall be defined by elements spanning the full length of the façade of the mass/bay. These elements shall be consistent with the overall architectural style of the building mass/bay. The project requests a waiver to not include any defining elements. • Adjacencies – Balconies abutting R-1 Zones: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150 B.5, balconies, roof decks, and other habitable outdoor space is not allowed on upper-story facades abutting R-1 zones. The project requests a waiver to permit balconies on upper-story facades abutting R-1 zones.
• Adjacencies – Sliding Glass Doors abutting R-1 Zones: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150 B.5, sliding glass doors, French doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows are not allowed on upper-story façades abutting R-1 zones. The project requests a waiver to permit sliding glass doors on upper-story facades abutting R-1 zones.
• Roofline and Roof Design – Roof Design: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150. B.7, a parapet roof design in frontages facing Fremont Avenue is not allowed. The project requests to permit the placement of a parapet roof design facing Fremont Avenue. • Roofline and Roof Design – Building Facades. Per LAMC Section 14.40.150. B.7, it requires that building façades facing an R-1 district must have a hipped or gable roof and may

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incorporate dormers. The project requests a waiver to permit a mix of flat roof and gable roof on the proposed building facades facing R-1 district.
• Pedestrian-Scaled Entrances Standard: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150 C.2, building entrances must at least incorporate one of the entry features as set forth in Section 14.77.275 G including but not limited to stoop, dooryard, shopfront, gallery, arcade or forecourt. The project requests a waiver to permit building entries to be recessed two feet and six inches from the wall plane that does not comply with any of the allowed building entrances’ design and requirements. • Window Design: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150 D.1, the windowsill shall extend horizontally beyond the window opening or frame/casing (if present) at each end. The project requests a waiver to permit windowsills to be terminated at the end of each window. • Landscaping: Per LAMC Section 14.40.150 G.3 and Section 14.70.070, landscaped strips with a minimum depth of five feet along property lines adjoining residential sites and public streets are required, planted with appropriate fast-growing materials and permanently maintained. The project requests a waiver to permit one unit (Unit 9), which is the end unit located in Building 2 to be constructed at zero setback adjacent to the existing multi-family development along the eastern property line. The proposed encroachment is driven by the zero-side setback requirement per the CN district.
• On-Site Landscaping: Per LAMC Section 14.66.280 J.4, vegetation shall be installed along all exposed east and west facing walls. The project requests a waiver to omit vegetation installed along exposed east facing walls to the end unit (Unit 9) of Building 2 along the eastern property line. The proposed design is consistent with the zero-side setback requirement per the CN district.
• Colors: Per LAMC Section 14.66.280 E.1, a maximum of four façade colors is permitted, consisting of one primary color (minimum 50%), one secondary color (maximum 30%), one tertiary color (maximum 20%), and one accent color for trim and architectural details. The project requests a waiver to reduce the primary color to be less than 50% to incorporate natural ledgestone at the tall ground level base and accents of natural wood and aluminum panel throughout.
• Required Parking Stalls: Per LAMC Section 14.74.030, a minimum of two and one-half parking spaces is required for units with four or more bedrooms, resulting in a total requirement of 23 vehicle parking spaces. The project requests a waiver to allow a reduced total of 21 vehicle parking spaces, consisting of two covered garage spaces per unit and three on-site guest parking spaces.

Inclusionary Housing
The project complies with the City’s Inclusionary Housing Requirements by designating 15 percent (or one unit) of the base units as affordable housing. The affordable unit provided to satisfy

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Multifamily Development at 901 Fremont Avenue

the City’s Inclusionary Housing Requirements may also be applied toward compliance with the State Density Bonus Law.

Subdivision
The project includes a Tentative Map for residential condominium purposes. The subdivision will divide the site into nine individual residential condominium units and one common lot. The subdivision conforms to the General Plan, Subdivision Ordinance, and provisions of the Subdivision Map Act as documented in the Draft Resolution recommending approval of the Tentative Map (Attachment 2).

Public Art
To satisfy the public art requirements outlined in the Public Art Ordinance (LAMC Chapter 3.52), the applicant proposes to install publicly accessible art on the project site. The proposed artwork features a decorative metal fence along Fremont Street, approximately 48 inches tall and extending 50 to 60 feet, framing the central drive aisle of the project. Artist Sage Loring of Local Edition Creative has developed a preliminary rationale and design for review (Attachment 5). If the total cost for acquiring and installing the artwork falls below the minimum required contribution of one percent of total construction costs exceeding one million dollars (up to a maximum of $200,000), minus costs directly attributed to the affordable unit, the remaining balance will be paid as an inlieu fee, as specified in the conditions of approval.

In accordance with the Public Art Ordinance, applications for the placement of public art on private property are reviewed and approved by the Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Cultural Commission (PARC) prior to final action by the project’s decision-making body and again after approval.

However, this application is part of a housing development project subject to the hearing limitations established in LAMC Section 14.77.100 which limits housing development projects to no more than three public hearings. To ensure compliance with applicable statutory hearing limits and to facilitate timely processing of the housing development application, the proposed on-site public art is included for consideration by the Planning Commission as part of the overall project review. PARC would then review and consider the detailed public art plans prior to issuance of a building permit.

Housing Accountability Act
The Housing Accountability Act (HAA) (Government Code Section 65589.5) establishes the State’s overarching policy that local governments may not deny, reduce the density of, or render infeasible a housing development project that complies with applicable, objective local development standards. For purposes of the HAA, a housing development project includes projects resulting in more than two housing units, including subdivisions of land. Before taking any such action, a local government must make specific written findings, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the project would result in a specific, adverse impact to public health or safety.

Legislative intent language makes clear that such impacts are expected to occur infrequently.

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Multifamily Development at 901 Fremont Avenue

The proposed project qualifies as a housing development project under the HAA because it would create additional housing stock within the City of Los Altos and complies with all applicable objective development standards, as modified by State Density Bonus Law. As such, the project is protected under the HAA, and the City’s discretion to deny or condition the project is strictly limited.

State Density Bonus Law and Relevant Case Law
The California Density Bonus Law (Gov. Code § 65915) requires cities and counties to grant increased density, incentives, and waivers of development standards to qualifying housing projects that provide specified levels of affordable housing. These benefits are mandatory unless the local agency makes specific written findings, supported by substantial evidence that one of the law’s limited statutory grounds for denial applies.

California courts have consistently reinforced the mandatory nature of the State Density Bonus Law and the limited circumstances under which a city may deny requested waivers or reductions of development standards. In Bankers Hill 150 v. City of San Diego, the court held that density bonus waivers must be granted when application of a development standard would physically preclude construction of a project at the permitted density, even if the project could theoretically be redesigned to comply with that standard. The court emphasized that local agencies may not require applicants to pursue alternative designs as a condition of granting a waiver.

Similarly, in Schreiber v. City of Los Angeles, the court confirmed that local agencies may not deny waivers or impose additional evidentiary or design-based requirements based on alternative design preferences. The court held that waivers and incentives are presumed to reduce development costs and must be granted unless the city makes specific written findings supported by substantial evidence that one of the limited statutory bases for denial applies.

Taken together, the HAA, State Density Bonus Law, and the above case law make clear that the City may deny a requested waiver or reduction of development standards only for the limited statutory reasons expressly identified in State Law, namely, a specific adverse impact to public health or safety, a specific adverse impact to historic resources, or a conflict with state or federal law. A waiver may not be denied based on discretionary design considerations or on the assertion that the project could be redesigned to avoid the waiver. Accordingly, the City may not deny the requested waivers simply because an alternative design might eliminate the need for them, as doing so would impose an unauthorized evidentiary or design burden under State Law.

Environmental Review
The project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15332 (Class 32) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because (1) the project is consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance; (2) occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than 5 acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; (3) is located on a site that does not have value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; (4) would not result in any significant impacts relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (5) is adequately served by all required

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utilities and services. Additionally, none of the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project.

Based on the City’s adopted vehicle miles traveled (VMT) policy and CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, transportation effects under CEQA are evaluated using VMT. The project is screened out under the City’s VMT Policy based on the small-projects screening criteria; therefore, transportation impacts are presumed less than significant.

Public Notification
A public meeting notice was mailed to property owners and commercial business tenants within 300 feet of the project site and published in the newspaper. The applicant also posted the site with a public notice sign in conformance with the Planning Division posting requirements. At the time of preparation of this report, the Planning Division received one comment letter on the proposed project (Attachment 6).

Next Steps
The Planning Commissions decision on the Design Review application is final unless appealed to Council. The Planning Commission’s consideration and recommendation on the Tentative Map application will be forwarded to Council for consideration at a future meeting and will be noticed separately.

City Council Staff Report
Meeting Date: April 14, 2026
Prepared By: Stephanie Williams
Approved By: Gabe Engeland
Subject: Adoption and Introduction of Ordinances — Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas

COUNCIL PRIORITY AREA
Public Safety
General Government

RECOMMENDATION
• Adopt an Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Los Altos, to be read in title only further reading waived, adding a new Chapter 9.30 to the Los Altos Municipal Code entitled "Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas" related to unlawful camping; and find pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3) that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Introduce an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Los Altos, to be read in title only further reading waived, adding a new Chapter 9.30 to the Los Altos Municipal Code entitled "Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas" related to unlawful camping; and find pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3) that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), adoption of the urgency ordinance and the subsequent regular ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the actions may have a significant effect on the environment.

FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption and implementation of the proposed ordinance is not anticipated to have a fiscal impact on the City. Enforcement activities would be conducted by the City’s Code Enforcement Division, with assistance from other City departments on an as-needed basis using existing staff and resources.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
None.

BACKGROUND
For many years, the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Martin v. City of Boise limited a municipality’s ability to enforce ordinances prohibiting camping on public property unless the municipality could demonstrate that adequate shelter beds were available, based on the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. In City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024), the U.S.

Supreme Court held that enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating public camping does not, by itself, violate the Eighth Amendment; accordingly, local jurisdictions are not required to establish the availability of shelter beds as a precondition to enforcing a no-camping ordinance.

The Court also recognized that local governments may regulate the use of public spaces to address health and safety hazards and maintain accessibility. The decision noted that jurisdictions may pair enforcement with outreach and connections to services for people experiencing homelessness. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-1-24, which encouraged local governments to adopt and implement regulations addressing encampments in public spaces.

The City’s Housing Element indicates that Los Altos has a comparatively small unsheltered population relative to the county (generally fewer than 50 unsheltered individuals at any given time) and that homelessness within the City is typically observed as small numbers of individuals rather than large encampments. The Housing Element further describes homelessness in Los Altos as primarily episodic.

ANALYSIS
Recently, staff has been made aware of a small group of individuals camping near Fremont Avenue adjacent to Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) property. At this time, the City does not have a local ordinance that prohibits camping on public property, which limits the City’s ability to require camping activity to cease. To address this gap, staff is drafting a nocamping ordinance and recommends considering (1) an urgency ordinance that would take effect upon adoption to allow the City to take action immediately, and (2) a regular ordinance to be considered through the standard two-reading process for continued use.

The proposed addition of Chapter 9.30 would establish no-camping regulations and standards for the storage of personal property on public property. Consistent with City of Grants Pass v.

Johnson, the proposed ordinance regulates conduct (camping and related use of public space) rather than an individual’s status. The ordinance includes procedures intended to support consistent enforcement, including notice and an opportunity to remove belongings before enforcement action, and provisions for the storage of personal property with an opportunity for retrieval prior to disposal.

Even when homelessness is episodic and involves small numbers of individuals, camping activity in specific locations can create public health and safety concerns for both individuals and the broader community, including damage to public property, fire risk, unsanitary conditions, environmental impacts, and restricted access for maintenance, operations, and emergency response. The City of Los Altos coordinates with Santa Clara County and local

nonprofit service providers to support outreach efforts and improve access to shelter, housing programs, and other essential services.

With recent case law changing the legal landscape for enforcement of public camping regulations, adoption of Chapter 9.30 would provide the City with an enforceable standard to manage the use of public property, protect public infrastructure, and support public health and safety.

DISCUSSION
See Analysis section above.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Attachment 1 - Urgency Ordinance

2. Attachment 2 - Ordinance

URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2026-__

AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALTOS ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 9.30 TO THE LOS ALTOS MUNICIPAL CODE ENTITLED “CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN PUBLIC AREAS” RELATED TO UNLAWFUL CAMPING
WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution grants cities the police power to make and enforce ordinances to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 36937(b) authorizes the City Council to adopt an urgency ordinance that takes effect immediately if it contains findings that the ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety; and WHEREAS, unregulated camping and storage of personal property in public areas poses serious risks to public health and safety, including fire hazards, unsanitary conditions, obstruction of public rights-of-way, interference with access to parks and public facilities, damage to public property, and impediments to emergency and maintenance operations; and WHEREAS, encampments exacerbate these risks and can harm nearby neighborhoods, businesses, public facilities, and environmentally sensitive areas; and WHEREAS, the purpose of this Chapter is to establish a humane, lawful, and effective framework for addressing camping and storage of personal property in public areas by protecting public health, safety, and accessibility; ensuring people experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity and respect; prioritizing outreach, shelter, and supportive services; and preserving the City’s ability to maintain public spaces for their intended public use; and WHEREAS, the City deems it necessary and appropriate to enact regulations for camping and storage of personal property in public areas within the City, including within the public rights-ofway by urgency ordinance under Cal. Gov. Code Section 36937(b) because the matters herein concern “the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety” of the City’s citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED by the City Council:

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 9 of the Municipal Code for the City (“Code”) shall be amended to add Chapter 9.30, entitled “Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas” to read as follows:

Chapter 9.30 - Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas

9.30.010 Purpose
The public parks, streets, sidewalks and other public areas within the City should be readily accessible and available to residents and the public at large for their intended purposes. The

purpose of this chapter is to maintain public areas within the City in a clean, sanitary, safe, attractive and accessible condition and to protect the health, safety, environment and general welfare of the community. In addition, the use of public areas for camping and sleeping interferes with the rights of others to use and enjoy those areas as they are intended.

9.30.020 Definitions
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

A. “Bridge” means a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression, roadway, waterway, or other obstacle.

B. “Camping” means to set up or to remain in or at a campsite, including for living accommodation purposes such as sleeping, lying down, storing personal property, cooking, or using a tent, sleeping bag, blanket, or similar material for purposes of shelter.

C. “Campsite” means any place where bedding, sleeping bag, or other material used for bedding purposes, or any stove or fire is placed, established, or maintained for the purpose of maintaining a temporary place to live, whether or not such place incorporates the use of any tent, lean-to, shack, or any other structure, or any vehicle or part thereof.

D. “Encampment” means one or more persons camping on public property, including associated personal property, shelters, or structures.

E. “Public property” means any real property located in the City and owned in fee title, or its equivalent, by the City or any Federal, State, or local government agency, including any street, sidewalk, park, trail, bicycle path, public parking lot, landscaped area, or other property owned or controlled by the City.

F. “City” means the City of Los Altos, including its employees and agents.

G. “Housing support services” means housing support services intended to connect a person with temporary or permanent housing resources.

H. “Private property” means any real property located in the City and owned in fee title, or its equivalent, by a private person or entity. The fact that private property may contain an easement, lien, or other interest less than fee title, or its equivalent, by a governmental or public agency does not negate the status of the property as private property.

I. “Sidewalk” means any area in the City provided for the use of pedestrians, including planting areas, driveway approaches or parking strips, between the public vehicular roadway and the edge of right-of-way bordering fronting or adjacent private property.

J. “Semi-permanent structure” means any structure designed or intended to remain in place for more than transient use, including but not limited to hand-built sheds or structures with metal or rigid roofing or siding.

K. “Personal belongings” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.30.050.

9.30.030 Prohibited Camping and Storage of Property
It is unlawful on any public property within the City:

A. To occupy a campsite in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right-of-way, park, bench, or any other public property and/or under any bridge.

B. To construct, place, or maintain any semi-permanent structure on public property for the purpose of sheltering one or more people.

9.30.040 Enforcement Procedures
A. Except in exigent circumstances involving an imminent threat to life, safety, health, or infrastructure, each of the following shall be satisfied prior to enforcement of Section 9.30.030:

1. City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall make every reasonable effort to identify and offer shelter at an emergency shelter, navigation center, or other appropriate housing, and offer supportive services, to persons living in the encampment.

2. City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall post a notice to vacate in a prominent location at the encampment site at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the enforcement action. The notice shall include, at a minimum: (1) The anticipated date and time of the enforcement action; (2) information on services, including shelter, that are immediately available to persons living in the encampment; and (3) information on how unattended belongings will be handled on the day of the enforcement action, including what will be stored, how they can be recovered, and the date by which they must be claimed.

3. No enforcement operations shall begin earlier than the date and time on the notice to vacate.

B. Where exigent circumstances require less than forty-eight (48) hours notice, the following shall be satisfied prior to enforcement of Section 9.30.030:

1. City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall provide as much advance notice of enforcement as reasonably possible under the circumstances.

2. As soon as reasonably possible following the enforcement action, City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall post notice at or near the encampment site describing where items taken during the enforcement action are stored, how they can be recovered, and the date by which they must be claimed.

9.30.050 Temporary Safekeeping, Handling, and Storage of Personal Belongings A. When the City obtains possession of personal belongings from a person for temporary safekeeping in connection with an enforcement action under this Chapter, the City shall take responsibility for the storage, documentation, and disposition of the personal belongings.

B. The City shall provide the person from whom the personal belongings were taken with a receipt and instructions for retrieval. The receipt and instructions shall be provided at the time the City obtains the personal belongings.

C. The receipt and instructions required by subsection B shall notify the person from whom the personal belongings were taken that the belongings must be claimed within ninety (90) days after the City obtains possession.

D. Personal belongings not reclaimed within ninety (90) days after the City obtains possession may be disposed of by the City.

E. For purposes of this chapter, “personal belongings” include: (1) items of apparent monetary value of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more; and (2) items of apparent personal value, including but not limited to eyeglasses; mobility devices and medical equipment; habitable tents; personal papers (photographs, identification, legal or financial documents); backpacks and containers; and operational bicycles, scooters, and strollers.

F. The following items shall not be collected or stored: (1) items constituting a health or safety hazard, including but not limited to sharps or weapons; chemicals or unidentified liquids; items soiled by human waste or bodily fluids; moldy or mildew-infested items; items infested by rodents or insects; flammable materials, propane tanks, or fuel containers; (2) bulky items such as mattresses and sheds; (3) perishable food; and (4) trash, debris, contraband, or controlled substances. If personal belongings are commingled with hazardous materials or human waste, the entire pile or container may be disposed of.

9.30.060 Penalties
A violation of this chapter involving a person who willfully resists, delays, or obstructs a city employee from enforcing this chapter or who willfully refuses to comply after being requested to do so by a city employee shall be punishable as a misdemeanor. All other violations of this chapter shall be enforceable as infractions pursuant to Chapter 1.20.

SECTION 2. PUBLICATION. This ordinance shall be published as provided in Government Code section 36933.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance, pursuant to Government Code section 36937, is hereby declared to be necessary as an urgency measure for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare of the City, and as such shall take effect immediately and be in full force and effect after its adoption after publication at least once in an official newspaper of the City for the following reasons:

1. The City Council finds that it is necessary that this ordinance be adopted as an urgency ordinance to address the County-wide crisis caused by homeless encampments.

2. The City Council further finds that it is necessary that this ordinance be adopted as an urgency ordinance to prioritize the adoption of reasonable regulations to maintain public areas within the City in a clean, sanitary, safe, attractive, and accessible condition and to protect the health, safety, environment and general welfare of the community.

3. The City Council further finds that it is necessary that this ordinance be adopted as an urgency ordinance because the use of public areas for camping and sleeping interferes with the rights of others to use and enjoy those areas as they are intended.

In order to accomplish these goals, Los Altos Municipal Code Chapter 9.30, as amended, must be adopted by means of this urgency ordinance. This urgency ordinance shall remain in effect until the effective date of the City’s regular ordinance adopting Chapter 9.30 of the Los Altos Municipal Code, at which time this urgency ordinance shall automatically terminate.

SECTION 4. CEQA - EXEMPTION. The City Council finds, pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is not a project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.

SECTION 5. CONSTITUTIONALITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this code is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.

PASSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLICATION this 14th day of April 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
__________________________
Sally Meadows, Mayor

ATTEST:
_________________________
Melissa Thurman, City Clerk

Ordinance No. 2026-___ Page 1
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-___

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALTOS ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 9.30 TO THE LOS ALTOS MUNICIPAL CODE ENTITLED “CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN
PUBLIC AREAS” RELATED TO UNLAWFUL CAMPING
WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution grants cities the police power to make and enforce ordinances to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that unregulated camping and storage of personal property in public areas poses serious risks to public health and safety, including fire hazards, unsanitary conditions, obstruction of public rights-of-way, interference with access to parks and public facilities, damage to public property, and impediments to emergency and maintenance operations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that encampments exacerbate these risks and can harm nearby neighborhoods, businesses, public facilities, and environmentally sensitive areas; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this Chapter is to establish a humane, lawful, and effective framework for addressing camping and storage of personal property in public areas by protecting public health, safety, and accessibility; ensuring people experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity and respect; prioritizing outreach, shelter, and supportive services; and preserving the City’s ability to maintain public spaces for their intended public use; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to add a chapter to the Los Altos Municipal Code Title 9 (Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places) related to camping and storage of personal property in public areas.

NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Los Altos does hereby ordain as follows:

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 9 of the Municipal Code for the City (“Code”) shall be amended to add Chapter 9.30, entitled “Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas” to read as follows:

Chapter 9.30 - Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas

9.30.010 Purpose
The public parks, streets, sidewalks and other public areas within the City should be readily accessible and available to residents and the public at large for their intended purposes. The purpose of this chapter is to maintain public areas within the City in a clean, sanitary, safe, attractive and accessible condition and to protect the health, safety, environment and general welfare of the community. In addition, the use of public areas

Ordinance No. 2026-___ Page 2
for camping and sleeping interferes with the rights of others to use and enjoy those areas as they are intended.

9.30.020 Definitions
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

A. “Bridge” means a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression, roadway, waterway, or other obstacle.

B. “Camping” means to set up or to remain in or at a campsite, including for living accommodation purposes such as sleeping, lying down, storing personal property, cooking, or using a tent, sleeping bag, blanket, or similar material for purposes of shelter.

C. “Campsite” means any place where bedding, sleeping bag, or other material used for bedding purposes, or any stove or fire is placed, established, or maintained for the purpose of maintaining a temporary place to live, whether or not such place incorporates the use of any tent, lean-to, shack, or any other structure, or any vehicle or part thereof.

D. “Encampment” means one or more persons camping on public property, including associated personal property, shelters, or structures.

E. “Public property” means any real property located in the City and owned in fee title, or its equivalent, by the City or any Federal, State, or local government agency, including any street, sidewalk, park, trail, bicycle path, public parking lot, landscaped area, or other property owned or controlled by the City.

F. “City” means the City of Los Altos, including its employees and agents.

G. “Housing support services” means housing support services intended to connect a person with temporary or permanent housing resources.

H. “Private property” means any real property located in the City and owned in fee title, or its equivalent, by a private person or entity. The fact that private property may contain an easement, lien, or other interest less than fee title, or its equivalent, by a governmental or public agency does not negate the status of the property as private property.

I. “Sidewalk” means any area in the City provided for the use of pedestrians, including planting areas, driveway approaches or parking strips, between the public vehicular roadway and the edge of right-of-way bordering fronting or adjacent private property.

J. “Semi-permanent structure” means any structure designed or intended to remain in place for more than transient use, including but not limited to hand-built sheds or structures with metal or rigid roofing or siding.

K. “Personal belongings” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.30.050.

9.30.030 Prohibited Camping and Storage of Property
It is unlawful on any public property within the City:

A. To occupy a campsite in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right-of-way, park, bench, or any other public property and/or under any bridge.

B. To construct, place, or maintain any semi-permanent structure on public property for the purpose of sheltering one or more people.

9.30.040 Enforcement Procedures

Ordinance No. 2026-___ Page 3
A. Except in exigent circumstances involving an imminent threat to life, safety, health, or infrastructure, each of the following shall be satisfied prior to enforcement of Section 9.30.030:

1.City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall make every reasonable effort to identify and offer shelter at an emergency shelter, navigation center, or other appropriate housing, and offer supportive services, to persons living in the encampment.

2.City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall post a notice to vacate in a prominent location at the encampment site at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the enforcement action. The notice shall include, at a minimum: (1) The anticipated date and time of the enforcement action; (2) information on services, including shelter, that are immediately available to persons living in the encampment; and (3) information on how unattended belongings will be handled on the day of the enforcement action, including what will be stored, how they can be recovered, and the date by which they must be claimed.

3. No enforcement operations shall begin earlier than the date and time on the notice to vacate.

B. Where exigent circumstances require less than forty-eight (48) hours notice, the following shall be satisfied prior to enforcement of Section 9.30.030:

1.City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall provide as much advance notice of enforcement as reasonably possible under the circumstances.

2. As soon as reasonably possible following the enforcement action, City officials, or any agent acting on their behalf, shall post notice at or near the encampment site describing where items taken during the enforcement action are stored, how they can be recovered, and the date by which they must be claimed.

9.30.050 Temporary Safekeeping, Handling, and Storage of Personal Belongings A. When the City obtains possession of personal belongings from a person for temporary safekeeping in connection with an enforcement action under this Chapter, the City shall take responsibility for the storage, documentation, and disposition of the personal belongings.

B. The City shall provide the person from whom the personal belongings were taken with a receipt and instructions for retrieval. The receipt and instructions shall be provided at the time the City obtains the personal belongings.

C. The receipt and instructions required by subsection B shall notify the person from whom the personal belongings were taken that the belongings must be claimed within ninety (90) days after the City obtains possession.

D. Personal belongings not reclaimed within ninety (90) days after the City obtains possession may be disposed of by the City.

E. For purposes of this chapter, “personal belongings” include: (1) items of apparent monetary value of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more; and (2) items of apparent personal value, including but not limited to eyeglasses; mobility devices and medical equipment; habitable tents; personal papers (photographs, identification, legal or financial documents); backpacks and containers; and operational bicycles, scooters, and strollers.

Ordinance No. 2026-___ Page 4
F. The following items shall not be collected or stored: (1) items constituting a health or safety hazard, including but not limited to sharps or weapons; chemicals or unidentified liquids; items soiled by human waste or bodily fluids; moldy or mildew-infested items; items infested by rodents or insects; flammable materials, propane tanks, or fuel containers; (2) bulky items such as mattresses and sheds; (3) perishable food; and (4) trash, debris, contraband, or controlled substances. If personal belongings are commingled with hazardous materials or human waste, the entire pile or container may be disposed of.

9.30.060 Penalties
A violation of this chapter involving a person who willfully resists, delays, or obstructs a city employee from enforcing this chapter or who willfully refuses to comply after being requested to do so by a city employee shall be punishable as a misdemeanor. All other violations of this chapter shall be enforceable as infractions pursuant to Chapter 1.20.

SECTION 2. CONSTITUTIONALITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this code is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.

SECTION 3. PUBLICATION. This ordinance shall be published as provided in Government Code section 36933.

SECTION 4. CEQA - EXEMPTION. The City Council finds, pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is not a project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be effective upon the commencement of the thirty-first day following the adoption date.

The foregoing ordinance was duly and properly introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Los Altos held on April 14, 2026, and was thereafter, at a regular meeting held on April 28, 2026, passed and adopted by the following vote:

Ordinance No. 2026-___ Page 5
AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
__________________________
Sally Meadows, Mayor

ATTEST:
_________________________
Melissa Thurman, City Clerk

City Council Staff Report
Meeting Date: April 14, 2026
Prepared By: Jon Maginot
Approved By: Gabe Engeland
Subject: Adoption of Resolution - Fire Protection Services

COUNCIL PRIORITY AREA
Public Safety
General Government

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution agreeing to the negotiated exchange of property tax revenue between the City of Los Altos and the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15320 of the CEQA Guidelines

FISCAL IMPACT
If the resolution is approved, and the overall annexation application is approved by LAFCO, the City will see a loss in property tax revenue, but will see an equal reduction in expenditures.

There will be no impact to individual property tax payers.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
June 24, 2025, October 28, 2025, March 10, 2026

BACKGROUND
The City of Los Altos contracts with Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District (County Fire) for fire protection services. This contract began in 1997 and has been approved in 10-year increments. The contract also includes Los Altos Hills County Fire District (LAHCFD).

The current contract with County Fire will expire on December 31, 2026. On March 10, 2026, the City Council approved Resolution No. 2026-18 initiating an application for annexation into the Fire District. The application was submitted to the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO) on April 2, 2026.

ANALYSIS
As part of the Council's action of March 10, 2026, Council directed that staff continue working with County Fire staff on two outstanding issues: 1) the amount of property tax revenue to be exchanged as part of the annexation and 2) the transfer of the two City-owned fire stations to the Fire District.

City staff has negotiated with County Fire for a proposed property tax exchange which would transfer 34.64% Post-Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) (26.81% Pre-ERAF) from the City to County Fire in the fiscal year the annexation takes effect (anticipated to be FY 2026/27). This amount is calculated from a base amount of approximately $9.8 million in FY 2025/26, as agreed upon by City and County Fire staff.

DISCUSSION
The proposed property tax exchange is contingent on the approval and implementation of the proposed annexation. The hearing before LAFCO is scheduled for June 3, 2026. It is anticipated that the proposed annexation will take effect on January 1, 2027. However, the actual transfer of property tax revenue will not commence until the fiscal year following the filing of jurisdictional changes with the State Board of Equalization by LAFCO. This is anticipated to be July 1, 2027. In the interim, the City would pay County Fire $945,500 per month until the property tax transfer is effectuated by the State Board of Equalization.

Transfer of fire stations
City staff continues to negotiate the transfer of the two City-owned fire stations to County Fire and will return to Council with a separate Resolution for the consideration of the property transfer.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Attachment 1 - Resolution

Resolution 2026-xxx Page 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALTOS

AGREEING TO THE NEGOTIATED EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE

BETWEEN THE CITY OF LOS ALTOS AND THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY

CENTRAL FIRE PROTETCTION DISTRICT
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2026, the City Council of the City of Los Altos (“City”) adopted a Resolution to initiate proceedings pursuant to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 for the annexation of the City of Los Altos into the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District (“County Fire”) (“Proposed Annexation”); WHEREAS, on March 10, 2026, the Board of Directors of County Fire adopted a Resolution in support of the Proposed Annexation pursuant to Government Code section 56857(e); WHEREAS, County Fire is a fire protection district authorized by the Fire Protection District Law of 1987 (Health and Safety Code section 13800 et seq.); WHEREAS, since 1996, County Fire has provided fire and emergency medical services to the City pursuant to a series of service agreements, consistent with Health and Safety Code section 13878;
WHEREAS, the Proposed Annexation would expand the boundaries of County Fire’s jurisdiction to include the City and would establish County Fire as the designated fire and emergency medical services provider for the City;
WHEREAS, on April 2, 2026, the City submitted the required application materials for the Proposed Annexation to the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO);
WHEREAS, Revenue and Taxation Code section 99(b)(5) requires that when a jurisdictional change will affect the service area or service responsibility of a special district, the Board of Supervisors shall, on behalf of the special district, negotiate property tax transfer associated with those changes with the other affected agencies and adopt a resolution memorializing the transfer; and
WHEREAS, the the City of Los Altos has negotiated with the Board of Supervisors, on behalf of County Fire, the appropriate exchange of tax revenues to support the services transferred in the Proposed Annexation as required by Revenue and Taxation Code section 99(b)(5).

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Los Altos hereby finds:

1. Contingent upon LAFCO’s approval of the Proposed Annexation and upon the LAFCO executive officer’s execution of a certificate of completion memorializing the Proposed

Resolution 2026-xxx Page 1
Annexation, a portion of property taxes assessed and collected on behalf of the City shall be distributed to County Fire as memorialized in this Resolution.

2. Until the start of the fiscal year following the filing with the State Board of Equalization of the jurisdictional changes resulting from the Proposed Annexation, the City will transfer to County Fire a monthly amount of $945,000 in property tax revenue. If the Statement of TRA Assignment is not filed with the State Board of Equalization before December 1, 2026, such monthly amount shall be adjusted for FY 2027/28 proportionate to roll growth effective July 1, 2027.

3. After the filing with the State Board of Equalization of the jurisdictional changes resulting from the Proposed Annexation, and upon the start of the effective assessment roll, the County will apportion property tax revenues to County Fire based on the methodology set forth in Exhibit A.

4. The allocation of tax revenues described in this Resolution shall be contingent upon the completion of the Proposed Annexation, the LAFCO executive officer’s execution of a certificate of completion memorializing the Proposed Annexation, and the fulfillment of any conditions imposed by the LAFCO resolutions effecting and implementing the Proposed Annexation.

5. In accordance with Section 3a of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, the appropriation limit of County Fire for Fiscal Year 2027/28 shall, upon completion of the Proposed Annexation, be adjusted upward to reflect the financial responsibility of providing additional services in an amount to be determined and memorialized in a subsequent Resolution.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Los Altos at a meeting thereof on the 14th day of April, 2026 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
__________________________
Sally Meadows, MAYOR
Attest:
_____________________________
Melissa Thurman, MMC

CITY CLERK

Exhibit A: Methodology for Negotiated Exchange of Property Tax Revenue Tax Shift *FY2025-2026 data is used for purposes of illustration only, not reflecting effective year's actual amounts.

Before Proposed Annexation
**Prior Year Gross AB8
Allocation Pre-ERAF
** Gross AB8 Tax
Increment PreERAF **Gross AB8 **ERAF Shift** AB8 Allocation after ERAF
**AB8
Apportionment
Factor
a b c=a+b d e=c+d
CLA $ 33,652,394 $ 2,078,207 $ 35,730,601 (8,080,870) 27,649,731 0.0038169711 After the Proposed Annexation
Prior Year Gross AB8
Allocation (% split based on
the Pre-ERAF Share split)
Gross AB8
Annual Increment
(% split based on
the Pre-ERAF
Share split)
Pre-ERAF Share
Split
***Gross AB8
Pre-ERAF ERAF Shift
***AB8 Allocation
after ERAF
AB8
Apportionment
Factor
Post-ERAF
Share
Split
a b c=a+b d e=c+d
CF 9,021,240 557,108 26.81% 9,578,347 - 9,578,347 0.0013222651 34.64% CLA 24,631,154 1,521,099 73.19% 26,152,254 (8,080,870) 18,071,384 0.0024947060 65.36% $ 33,652,394 $ 2,078,207 $ 35,730,601 (8,080,870) 27,649,731 0.0038169711 The City of Los Altos (CLA) and Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District (CF) agree that upon the effective assessment roll year, the percentage shift from CLA to CF on AB8 and Annual Increment Allocation Factor is 34.64% Post-Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) (26.81% Pre-ERAF). CLA will keep 100% of the ERAF amount (calculated based on CLA's pre-Annexation share, ensuring that total ERAF is not affected by the base or increment shifts agreed to in connection with the proposed annexation), as well as Excess ERAF and Vehicle License Fees. This percentage shift will also apply to the unitary and the supplemental revenues. *** The new AB8 allocation shares after the proposed annexation, will become the new base for each jurisdiction, with CLA continuing to keep 100% of the ERAF amount, based on the pre-annexation Gross AB8 share (ensuring that total ERAF is not affected by the base or increment shifts agreed to in the proposed annexation). *FY2025-2026
*FY2025-2026
The illustrations below demonstrate at a high-level the mechanism of property tax shift between CLA and CF resulting from the proposed negotiated property tax exchange in the effective assessment roll year.
** Source: The County FY2025-2026 annual AB8 and ERAF calculation.

Part I: Illustration of AB8 Factor Split Before and After the Proposed Annexation

Part II: Illustration of Annual Increment After the Annexation *FY2025-2026 data is used for purposes of illustration only, not reflecting effective year's actual amounts.

Assumptions:

1. FY 2024-2025 1% Tax Levy - July 1, 2024 $ 228,200,000 (i)

2. FY 2025-2026 1% Tax Levy - July 1, 2025 $ 242,300,000 (ii) FY2025-2026 Annual Increment $ 14,100,000 (iii)=(ii)-(i) Annual Increment Allocation Before and After the Proposed Annexation Increment
Allocation Factor
(IAF)
Annual Increment
Allocated Amount
(rounded to
$100,000)
Increment
Allocation
Factor (IAF)
Post-ERAF
Share Split
Annual Increment
Allocated Amount
(rounded to
$100,000)

0.155744849 $ 2,200,000 0.155744849 $ 2,200,000
Santa Clara County Library 0.028536542 $ 400,000 0.028536542 $ 400,000

0.114479395 $ 1,600,000 0.074823732 65.36% $ 1,100,000
Central Fire New Service Area (Note 1) - $ - 0.039655662 34.64% $ 500,000 Los Altos Hills County Fire District 0.000033076 $ - 0.000033076 $ - Cupertino Union Elementary 0.001049286 $ - 0.001049286 $ - Los Altos Elementary 0.202781895 $ 2,900,000 0.202781895 $ 2,900,000 Fremont Union High 0.000708614 $ - 0.000708614 $ -
Mountain View-Los Altos Union High 0.162101319 $ 2,300,000 0.162101319 $ 2,300,000 Foothill-DeAnza Community College 0.070701372 $ 1,000,000 0.070701372 $ 1,000,000 County School Service 0.039119118 $ 600,000 0.039119118 $ 600,000 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 0.017281831 $ 200,000 0.017281831 $ 200,000 North Santa Clara Resource Conservation District 0.000013154 $ - 0.000013154 $ - Santa Clara Valley Water District North West Zone 1 0.012981602 $ 200,000 0.012981602 $ 200,000 Santa Clara Valley Water District 0.001820997 $ - 0.001820997 $ -

0.019574607 $ 300,000 0.019574607 $ 300,000
Bay Area Air Quality Management District 0.002053203 $ - 0.002053203 $ - Santa Clara County Importation Water-Misc District 0.005424453 $ 100,000 0.005424453 $ 100,000 Santa Clara Valley Water District West Zone 4 0.001397996 $ - 0.001397996 $ - Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) 0.164196692 $ 2,300,000 0.164196692 $ 2,300,000

1.000000000 $ 14,100,000 1.000000000 $ 14,100,000
FY2025-2026 data is used for illustration purpose, not reflecting effective year's actual amounts.

Note 1: For IAF, in the effective assessment roll year, property tax shift is based on the agreed percentages between CF and CLA, which are

34.64% Post-ERAF and 26.81% for Pre-ERAF. Per the agreement between CF and CLA, CLA will absorb all the ERAF impacts and Property Tax In-Lieu of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) revenue , i.e. CLA will keep 100% ERAF Shift, Excess ERAF and VLF. CF will not contribute to ERAF and will not receive Excess ERAF or VLF revenue.

Taxing Entities within City of Los Altos Tax Before Annexation (Post-ERAF) After Annexation (Post-ERAF) Total
Los Altos (Note 1)
El Camino Hospital
Santa Clara County

PROGRAM SUB PROJECT INITIATION DATE HEU COMPLETION DATE STATUS Program 2.D: Encourage and streamline Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Budget & Hire Planning
Technician December 31, 2022 COMPLETED
Program 2.D: Encourage and streamline Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Amend ADU Ordinance
based upon HCD's letter 6 months or less COMPLETED
Program 6.G: Housing mobility
Allow more than one
JADU (at least two per
site)
with ADU Ordinance
Update COMPLETED
Program 3.H: Amend design review process and
requirements.

Eliminate 3rd Party
Architectural Review February 28, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 3.H: Amend design review process and
requirements.

Dismiss Design Review
Commission February 28, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 3.L: Eliminate the requirement of story poles. March 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 2.E: Conduct annual ADU rental income surveys.

Budget & Hire Housing
Program 4.J: Facilitate alternate modes of transportation for Manager March 31, 2023 COMPLETED residents.

Adopt VMT Policy &
Transportation Demand June 30, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 2.D: Encourage and streamline Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

RFP-Permit Ready ADU
Plans July 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 1.H: Facilitate housing on City-owned sites. Financial Analysis July 1, 2023 December 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 3.D: Evaluate and adjust impact fees. August 1, 2023 December 31, 2024 COMPLETED Program 1.H: Facilitate housing on City-owned sites. Release RFP December 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 6.C: Target housing development in highest
resource areas. Initial Outreach September 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 6.D: Promote Housing Choice (Section 8) rental
assistance program. September 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 2.A: Continue to implement and enhance
inclusionary housing requirements. December 31, 2023 ONGOING Program 2.B: Establish an affordable housing in-lieu fee and commercial linkage fee. Housing in-lieu fee. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 2.F: Water and Sewer Service Providers. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 3.B: Modify building height in mixed-use zoning districts. Downtown Districts December 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 3.E: Ensure that the density bonus ordinance
remains consistent with State law. December 31, 2023 ONGOING

Program 3.H: Amend design review process and
requirements. Code Amendments December 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 3.K: Standardize multimodal transportation
requirements.

Bicycle Storage and
Charging Regulations December 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 3.K: Standardize multimodal transportation
requirements.

Remove CSC Review of
Housing Developments December 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 4.C: Allow Low Barrier Navigation Centers
consistent with AB 101. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 4.D: Allow transitional and supportive housing
consistent with State law. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 4.E: Allow employee/farmworker housing
consistent with State law. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 4.F: Reasonably accommodate disabled persons’
housing needs. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 6.B: Maintain and expand an inventory of affordable housing funding sources. Prepare Inventory. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED Program 6.E: Prepare and distribute anti-displacement
information. December 31, 2023 COMPLETED
Program 1.A: Rezone for RHNA shortfall. January 31, 2024 COMPLETED Program 1.G: Rezone housing sites from previous Housing Elements. January 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 3.G: Amend Conditional Use Permits findings
applicable to housing developments. March 31, 2024 COMPLETED Program 3.I: Allow residential care facilities consistent with State law. January 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 3.J: Explicitly allow manufactured homes consistent with State law. January 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 3.F: Reduce Conditional Use Permit requirement for residential mixed-use and
multi-family. September 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 1.B: Facilitate higher density housing in the
Commercial Thoroughfare (CT) District. January 31, 2024 COMPLETED Program 1.C: Allow housing in the Office Administrative (OA) District. January 31, 2024 COMPLETED

Program 1.E: Update the Loyola Corners Specific Plan. January 31, 2024 COMPLETED Program 2.D: Encourage and streamline Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Adopt-Permit Ready ADU
Plans December 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 3.A: Prepare a Downtown parking plan and update citywide parking requirements. Downtown Parking Plan December 31, 2024 COMPLETED Program 3.A: Prepare a Downtown parking plan and update citywide parking requirements.

Comprehensive Parking
Ordinance Update December 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 3.B: Modify building height in mixed-use zoning districts.

Commercial
Neighborhood (CN)
District December 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 3.C: Remove floor-to-area ratio (FAR) restriction at Rancho Shopping Center and
Woodland Plaza. December 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 3.M: Modify parking requirements for emergency
shelters consistent with State
law. December 31, 2024 COMPLETED
Program 2.B: Establish an affordable housing in-lieu fee and commercial linkage fee. Commercial linkage fee. December 31, 2025 COMPLETED Program 1.D: Allow housing on certain Public and
Community Facilities District sites and
facilitate housing on religious institution properties. December 31, 2025 IN-PROGRESS Program 6.G: Housing mobility
Allow housing on all
religious sites within the
City December 31, 2025 IN-PROGRESS
Program 1.F: Rezone Village Court parcel. December 31, 2025 COMPLETED Program 4.H: Provide additional density bonuses and
incentives for housing that accommodates special needs
groups. December 31, 2025 IN-PROGRESS
Program 4.I: Allow senior housing with extended care
facilities in multi-family and mixed-use zoning districts. December 31, 2025 IN-PROGRESS Program 1.I: Incentivize Downtown lot consolidation. July 31, 2026 Program 4.G: Assist seniors to maintain and rehabilitate their homes. July 31, 2026 ONGOING
Program 6.C: Target housing development in highest
resource areas. Follow-up Outreach September 31, 2026

Program 1.H: Facilitate housing on City-owned sites. Entitlement Review December 31, 2026 Program 3.N: Modify standards in the R3 zoning districts. December 31, 2026 COMPLETED Program 4.J: Facilitate alternate modes of transportation for residents.

Capital Improvement
Project for above head
pedestrian crossing
signals on San Antonio
Road near Downtown Los
Altos December 31, 2027
Program 5.F: Incentivize the creation of play areas for multifamily housing projects. December 31, 2027 Program 1.K: Participate in regional housing needs planning efforts. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 1.L: General Plan amendments. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 1.M: SB 9 implementation. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 1.N: Facilitate and monitor pipeline housing
projects. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 2.C: Assist in securing funding for affordable
housing projects. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 2.D: Encourage and streamline Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Ongoing ONGOING
Program 2.E: Conduct annual ADU rental income surveys. Annual Survey Annually ONGOING Program 4.A: Support efforts to fund homeless services. Ongoing ONGOING Program 4.B: Continue to participate in local and regional forums for homelessness,
supportive, and transitional housing. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 5.A: Monitor condominium conversions. Ongoing ONGOING Program 5.B: Continue to administer the City’s affordable housing programs. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 5.C: Restrict commercial uses from displacing
residential neighborhoods. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 5.D: Implement voluntary code inspection program. Ongoing ONGOING Program 5.E: Help secure funding for housing rehabilitation and assistance programs. Ongoing ONGOING

Program 6.A: Assist residents with housing discrimination and landlord-tenant
complaints. Ongoing ONGOING
Program 6.B: Maintain and expand an inventory of affordable housing funding sources.

Inform, Evaluate
Apply/Submit Ongoing ONGOING
Program 6.F: Affirmatively market physically accessible units. Ongoing ONGOING Program 7.A: Promote energy and water conservation and
greenhouse gas reduction
through education and awareness campaigns. Ongoing ONGOING Program 7.B: Monitor and implement thresholds and
statutory requirements of climate change legislation. Ongoing ONGOING

City of Los Altos 2026 Tentative Council Agenda Calendar All items and dates are tentative and subject to change unless a specific date has been noticed for a legally required Public Hearing.

Items may be added or removed from the shown date at any time and for any reason prior to the publication of the agenda.

April 28, 2026
Regular Meeting – 7:00 p.m.

CONSENT:
• Award Contract for Construction for 999 Fremont Avenue DISCUSSION:
• Sidewalk Ordinance
The remaining 2026 City Council agenda calendar items are pending and will be published at a later date.

DATE: 04/13/2026
TO: COUNCILMEMBERS
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: COUNCIL Q&A FOR APRIL 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Agenda Item 2 (Summer Concert Series):
• The fiscal impact is described in the staff report as “… will cost a total not to exceed $30,960 for ... sound and stage for the upcoming 2026 Summer Concert Series”, but it also says "The grand total for the 2026 Summer Concert Series sound and stage services will not exceed $107,320.” To clarify, isn’t the $107,320 the total for the entire Summer Concert Series contract over all years with Thor Audio Solutions, not just for 2026? Answer: Correct, the amount of $107,320 is the total for the Summer Concert Series since summer 2023 and includes the $30,960 for the 2026 Summer Concert Series. • What caused the 41 percent cost increase? Is this substantial jump likely to become a trend?
Answer: There was not a 41% cost increase for summer 2026 as the amount of $107,320 is the total for the Summer Concert Series since summer 2023. Please see below for breakdown.
o Original contract for summer 2023 - $22,980 for 6 concerts o Summer 2024 - $25,380 – increase of 11% with the addition of the symphony concert for 7 concerts total
o Summer 2025 - $28,000 – increase of 10% due to increased cost in labor and supplies for 7 concerts
o Summer 2026 - $30,960 – increase of 11% due to increased cost in labor and supplies for 7 concerts
• At what point will the City go out with a new RFP or other process to obtain a new contract? Answer: Per the original contract terms, the city has one additional 1-year extension for summer 2027 should the city choose to exercise it for a total of 5 years. The city would plan to do an RFP process ahead of the summer 2028 Summer Concert Series.

Agenda Item 4 (Camping Ordinance):
• How many Council members must support the urgency ordinance in order for it to pass? Answer: An urgency ordinance requires a four‑fifths (4/5) affirmative vote of the City Council to pass. Four-fifths of 5 requires 4 affirmative votes. Govt Code Section 36937

• Regarding the effective date, the Urgency Ordinance says it “… shall take effect immediately and be in full force and effect after its adoption after publication at least once in an official newspaper of the City …”. Have we already published this ordinance in an official newspaper or does that still need to happen before it will be in effect? Answer: The urgency ordinance would take effect immediately upon adoption by a four‑fifths vote of the Council. Publication of the ordinance in an official newspaper is a required procedural step that occurs after adoption and does not delay the effective date.
• If Council were to put aside the urgency ordinance and focus just on the normal ordinance, approximately when could the proposed no camping rules go into effect? Answer: The regular (non‑urgency) ordinance must be adopted at two readings. If the ordinance is adopted on first reading on April 14th and then adopted on second reading on April 28th, it would take effect 30 days after adoption, which would be May 29th.

Agenda Item 5 (Fire Annexation):
• Please provide a layperson’s basic explanation of the ERAF aspect of property tax allocation. What is ERAF? What were its original intentions? What is meant by pre- and post-ERAF? What refunds might return to the city from ERAF? Are such funds potentially more politically volatile than standard non-ERAF property taxes? Answer:
o Please provide a layperson’s basic explanation of the ERAF aspect of property tax allocation.

In the California property tax framework, the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) serves as a jurisdictional accounting mechanism.

While property owners pay a base 1% tax, the State Legislature dictates how that revenue is apportioned among local agencies (cities, counties, and special districts) and school districts. ERAF is essentially a mandatory diversion; a specific percentage of the City’s local property tax is redirected to this fund to satisfy the State's constitutional funding obligations to K-14 education. For Los Altos, this means our "effective" revenue is always lower than our "nominal" share, as a portion is siphoned away before reaching our General Fund. o What is ERAF? What were its original intentions?
ERAF is a state-mandated fund established during the 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 budget cycles. Its original intent was to alleviate the State’s General Fund deficit by shifting local property tax revenues to school districts. By using local property taxes to meet Proposition 98 minimum funding requirements, the State effectively reduced its own spending obligations. While initially framed as a "temporary" emergency measure, it has remained a permanent pillar of the State’s strategy to balance its budget at the expense of local government autonomy.

o What is meant by pre- and post-ERAF?
Pre-ERAF: This represents the City’s property tax share before the shift to ERAF.

Post-ERAF: This represents the City's property tax share after the shift to ERAF.

In the context of the SCCCFPD annexation, we are proposing a transfer of 25% of our total property tax base. Because we operate in a "Post-ERAF" environment, we must account for the fact that the State already claims a portion of our revenue. The strategic complexity lies in the fact that County Fire does not participate in ERAF within this district; and for this type of proposed annexation, the State requires ERAF to be held harmless; therefore, the City assumes the full fiscal impact of how these shifts fluctuate over time. o What refunds might return to the city from ERAF?
These refunds are technically known as Excess ERAF. In property-wealthy counties like Santa Clara, the amount of local property tax shifted into the ERAF "bucket" often exceeds what the local school districts are legally entitled to receive under State funding formulas. By law, this surplus (Excess ERAF) must be returned to the local agencies that contributed it.

Historically, these Excess ERAF returns—along with related sources like the VLF (Vehicle License Fee) Adjustment—have experienced growth rates that significantly outpace our base secured property tax. These funds are a critical component of our solvency, though they remain outside our direct control.

Below is a link to the County of Santa Clara’s Property Tax Highlights which contains additional Santa Clara County specific information on ERAF; see page 16 concerning ERAF -
https://files.santaclaracounty.gov/exjcpb1531/2026-03/property-tax-highlightsfy2024-25.pdf?VersionId=MyiTaLdr0osYq1yrJqCr_8LPdNF7UKyc o Are such funds potentially more politically volatile than standard non-ERAF property taxes?
Yes, much more volatile. Standard property taxes are protected by the California Constitution (Proposition 13), providing a high degree of predictability and protection from legislative interference. ERAF, however, is statutory. This means the State Legislature can alter the formulas, redefine "excess," or redirect these funds through simple majority votes in Sacramento.

There have been bills recently trying to change the status of ERAF and further reduce the obligations of the State at the expense of the City. • The title of the Resolution has a typo in the spelling of “PROTETCTION”.

Answer: This will be corrected