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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CUBBERLEY VISIONING SESSION ACTION ITEM
Lead Department: Community Services
Meeting Date: February 18, 2025
Report #:2502-4142
TITLE
City Council Discussion and Development of an Overall Vision for the Cubberley Master Plan
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and potentially adopt a vision statement for the Cubberley Master Plan.
BACKGROUND
In October 20241, both the City Council and Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD or District) Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding related to the future of Cubberley site. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines key terms and conditions for the purchase and future planning of Cubberley. The land purchase, which would transfer ownership of seven acres from PAUSD to the City, is contingent on voter approval of a bond measure in November 2026. This condensed timeframe requires development of a master plan for the site by March 2026, conduct stakeholder and community engagement and outreach, polling, financial analysis, CEQA analysis, and other critical tasks. The addition of the seven acres, plus the eight acres already owned by the City of Palo Alto provides an opportunity to develop a new community center on a combined 15 acres at the Cubberley site to provide a range of City programs, including health, wellness, and recreational opportunities for residents.
ANALYSIS
On December 2, 20242, the City Council took several actions related to the future of the Cubberley site. These actions included approval of a contract with Concordia, LLC for 1 City Council, October 7, 2024; Agenda Item AA1; SR #2409-3500 https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=98415&repo=r-704298fc&searchid=e199f724-22ab-472b- 8ad8-ca162c4dcf8a
2 City Council, December 2, 2024; Agenda Item #12; SR #2410-3651 https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=111841&repo=r-704298fc&searchid=e199f724-22ab-472b- 8ad8-ca162c4dcf8a
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development of a revised Master Plan for the Cubberley Community Center site, building on the previous master plan completed in 2019 by Concordia and guided by significant community input. The master planning process that began in December 2024 and will be completed by December 2025 involves re-engagement of the community. As a first step, Concordia will facilitate this workshop session with the City Council to generate a vision statement that will then be validated during the first community meeting on March 19th. If necessary, staff will return to the City Council to clarify or revise the Council’s vision based on the community priorities and goals identified. The format of the workplan session is included in Attachment A.
The City Council visioning workshop is the first step in the next phase of community engagement related to the future of the Cubberley site. This will provide an opportunity for the City Council to communicate a vision that reflects the value and opportunities that Cubberley represents to all Palo Altans, today and into the future and supports advancing a community- engaging master planning process.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Concordia will host three Community Meetings, as well as a final community presentation of the revised Master Plan based on and guided by community input and priorities. The community meetings are listed below.
Community Engagement Meetings
City Council Visioning Session, February 18, 2025
Community Meeting #1, March 19, 2025- Vision, Programming, & Placemaking Community Meeting #2, Summer 2025- Three Concept Options Community Meeting #3, Fall 2025 - Program Organization, Circulation, & Greenspace Community Presentation of Master Plan, Fall/Winter 2025 Council Consideration and Adoption of Master Plan and CEQA, First Quarter 2026 Other community engagement efforts planned will complement the community meetings noted above supported by Concordia’s co-design process and may include items such as pop-up tabling at community events, table sheets sharing project milestones and opportunity to engage, online and in-person surveys. Application period for community members interested in becoming Community Fellows is underway, deadline to apply is February 17, 2025. These master plan ambassadors will commit to support community meetings and gain training and tools needed.
Additionally, the Council Cubberley Ad Hoc Committee is another community engagement opportunity as these discussions will be open to the public and offer another option to support public participation.
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A project webpage is set up at www.cityofpaloalto.org/cubberleyproject and a digital newsletter sign-up is available for the community to track progress and join the conversation.
E-news sign-up and community fellow application form is available on the website.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The adopted vision for the project will influence the overall cost and resources required for its development and operation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
CEQA review will be conducted on the master plan.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: City Council Visioning Session Agenda
APPROVED BY:
Kristen O'Kane, Community Services Director