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Resolution No. ____
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Closing a Portion of Ramona Street between Hamilton Avenue and University Avenue and California Avenue between El Camino Real and Birch Street to Vehicular Traffic Pursuant to the Amended Circulation Element of the Comprehensive Plan and Adopting Certain Rules for those Streets
R E C I T A L S
A. On June 23, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution No. 9909 approving the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue, University Avenue and certain other Downtown streets through Labor Day 2020 to allow for outdoor dining and retail on those streets, consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order in effect. The street closures were part of a Summer Streets Program initiated by the City to accommodate outdoor uses at a time when indoor dining remained prohibited in the County and the growing scientific evidence showed a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission outdoors compared to indoors. At that time, the City anticipated that indoor dining would be allowed to resume in the County, as had been allowed in neighboring counties, and sought to address the immediate needs of the community including residents, workers and businesses that had been severely impacted by loss of business activity and revenue.
B. Through Resolution No. 9909 the Council also approved a temporary pilot parklet program to allow parklets to be installed in on-street parking spaces on an expedited and temporary basis to provide more space for outdoor dining.
C. On December 14, 2020, the Council adopted Resolution 9933, which amended Resolution 9099, to extend until May 31, 2021 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders.
D. On March 3, 2021, the State moved Santa Clara County one step down from the purple/widespread tier to the red/substantial tier. As of March 16, 2021, the County reported a cumulative total of 112,909 COVID cases and 1,867 deaths.
E. On May 10, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 9954, which further extended until October 31, 2021 the temporary closure of portions of California Avenue and University Avenue and certain intersecting streets to allow for continued use of these areas in the heart of the City’s commercial districts to allow for outdoor dining and potentially other activities as may be allowed by State and County Public Health Orders.
F. On June 7, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 9962. Resolution 9962 amended and restated Section 4 of Resolution 9909 regarding the pilot parklet program on a nonemergency basis.
G. In the midst of the continued COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Palo Alto continued to take measured steps to allow businesses to resume activities in outdoor settings. As a key part of those efforts, the Uplift Local Program (formerly known as the Summer Streets Program) created an attractive pedestrian environment on the closed streets resulting in increased foot traffic. A number of *NOT YET APPROVED*
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restaurants took advantage of the program and created outdoor seating in the streets, on sidewalks, and on parklets. Residents and visitors who have come to University Avenue and California Avenue have expressed delight and reported having a highly enjoyable experience.
H. On September 13, 2021 the Council voted to extend the street closures of portions of California Avenue and Ramona Street through June 30, 2022 to allow for the continued use of these streets for outdoor dining and other activities as may be allowed. The Council voted on each street separately and Resolution 9988 extended the closure of Ramona Street only; a separate resolution (no. 9987) extended the closure of California Avenue.
I. On May 16, 2022 the Council voted to extend the street closures of California Avenue and Ramona Street through December 31, 2023 to allow for the continued use of these streets for outdoor dining and other activities as may be allowed and adopted Resolutions 10039 and 10040.
J. On November 6, 2023 Council directed staff to return with the necessary actions to maintain California Avenue and Ramona Street as a car-free street with current areas of street closure to be made permanent and adopted Resolutions 10129 and 10130 allowing for the continued temporary closure of California Avenue and Ramona Street through December 2024.
K. On December 16, 2024, the Council adopted Resolutions 10207 and 10208 to extend the street closures of California Avenue and Ramona Street through December 31, 2025.
L. California Vehicle Code section 21101(g) allows the City to adopt a resolution to prohibit entry and exit to any street to implement the circulation element of a general plan.
M. The Planning and Transportation Commission, after a duly noticed public hearing on February 12, 2025, recommended that the City Council amend Map T-5 of the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan and the glossary.
N. The City Council considered said recommendation after a duly noticed public hearing held on March 10, 2025 and Amended Map T-5 of the Transportation Element and glossary, through Resolution ______________and now desires to close a portion of Ramona Street between Hamilton Avenue and University Avenue as well as a portion of California Avenue from University Avenue to Birch Street to vehicular traffic, as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds that the public interest, health, safety and welfare of Palo Alto and the surrounding region would be furthered by the street closures. With adoption of Resolution _______, which amends Map T-5 of the Comprehensive Plan to amend the classification of these two street segments from residential/collector to Pedestrian Only Streets and Community Streets for Ramona Street and California Avenue, respectively, the closures are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan as a whole. In particular, it furthers the following goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan:
Table 1: Comprehensive Plan Policy Consistency
Natural Element
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Goal N-5: Clean, healthful air for Palo Alto and
the San Francisco Bay Area.
The proposed closure of two street segments to
motor vehicles prioritizes alternative modes of
transportation, consistent with these policies that
encourage reduction in emissions from automobiles.
Policy N -5.2: Support behavior changes to
reduce emissio ns of particulates from
automobiles.
Transportation Element
GOAL T-1: Create a sustainable transportation
system, complemented by a mix of land uses,
that emphasizes walking, bicycling, use of public
transportation and other methods to reduce
GHG emissions and the use of single-occupancy
motor vehicles.
The proposed closure of these two street segments
to motor vehicles encourages a transportation
system that emphasizes alternative modes of
transportation to single-occupancy motor vehicles
and supports bicycling and walking.
Policy T -1.3: Reduce GHG and pollutant
emissions associated with transportation by
reducing VMT and per-mile emissions through
increasing transit options, supporting biking
and walking, and the use of zero -emission
vehicle tec hnologies to meet City and State
goals for GHG reductions by 2030.
Policy T-1.19: Provide facilities that
encourage and support bicycling and walking.
Policy L-4.1. Encourage the upgrading and
revitalization of selected Centers in a manner
that is compatible with the character of
surrounding neighborhoods, without loss of
retail and existing small, local businesses.
The project facilitates the creation of a community
center in two retail areas that are intended to
support the vibrant retail environment surrounding
these areas.
Policy L-4.4. Ensure all Regional Centers and
Multi-Neighborhood Centers provide centrally
located gathering spaces that create a sense of
identity and encourage economic
revitalization. Encourage public amenities such
as benches, street trees, kiosks, restrooms and
public art.
The proposed closure of two street segments provide
an opportunity to make these spaces central
gathering places that create a sense of identity and
encourage walkability and a vibrant retail area on
both California Avenue and Ramona Street.
Policy L -8.4: Create facilities for civic and
intellectual life, such as better urban public
spaces for civic programs and speakers,
cultural, musical and artistic events.
Policy L -4.7 Maintain and enhance the
University Avenue/Downtown area as a major
commercial center of the City, with a mix of
commercial, civic, cultural, recreational and
residential uses. Promote quality design that
recognizes the regional and historical
importance of the area an d reinforces its
pedestrian character.
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Policy L -7.5 To reinforce the scale and
character of University Avenue/Downtown,
promote the preservation of significant historic
buildings.
The City conducted consultation with tribes that are
geographically and culturally affiliated with the area
in accordance with Senate Bill 18 regulations and
incorporate the tribe’s recommendations as part of
the proposed project to ensure the protection of
tribal cultural resources, if uncovered. The project
does not include any proposed street modifications
that would have the potential to impact adjacent
historic buildings, which would be preserved as part
of the proposed project. The project adds vitality to
the areas around these historic buildings, enhancing
pedestrian access to these areas.
Policy L-7.16 Continue to consult with tribes
as required by California Government Code
Section 65352.3. In doing so, use appropriate
procedures to accommodate tribal concerns
when a tribe has a religious prohibition against
revealing precise information about the
location or previous practice at a particular
sacred site.
Policy L -7.17 Assess the need for
archaeological surveys and mitigation plans on
a project-by-project basis, consistent with the
California
Environmental Quality Act and the
National Historic Preservation Act.
Policy L -7.18 Require project proponents to
meet State codes and regulations regarding
the identification and protection of
archaeological and paleontological deposits,
and unique geologic features.
SECTION 2. Street Closures. Pursuant to Resolution _______, which amended the Comprehensive Plan transportation Element to re-classify the streets from residential/collector to “Pedestrian Only Streets” and “Community Streets”, the City Council hereby closes the following segments of Ramona Street and California Avenue to vehicular traffic, subject to the following provisions:
The portion of Ramona Street starting at Hamilton Avenue and continuing approximately 200 feet to end at the entrance to the 533 Ramona St. parking garage entrance (as it exists at on the date of adoption of this Resolution) is hereby reclassified as a Pedestrian Only Street, which is defined as:
Streets that are restricted to pedestrians. Emergency vehicles, and utility and maintenance vehicles operated by or on behalf of the City are allowed; private utility vehicles may be allowed through an exception process. Outdoor dining and retail displays are encouraged on pedestrian only streets.
California Avenue between El Camino Real and Birch Street is hereby reclassified as a Community Street, which is defined as:
Streets that are restricted to pedestrians and bicycles or similar modes of transportation, subject to a maximum speed limit. Emergency vehicles and utility and maintenance vehicles operated by *NOT YET APPROVED*
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or on behalf of the City are allowed; private utility and commercial vehicles may be allowed in limited capacities through an exception process. Outdoor dining, retail displays, and community events are encouraged on community streets.
SECTION 3. Additional Rules.
3.1 This Section 3 shall apply to those streets designated as Pedestrian Only Streets and Community Streets and shall automatically sunset upon the City Manager’s adoption of replacement regulations as authorized by PAMC Chapter 10.66.
3.2. Emergency vehicles shall be permitted access only during an emergency or if needed during a non-emergency to provide for public health and/or safety. This includes the staging of emergency vehicles during special events or other times when deployment is necessary to ensure public health and/or safety.
3.3 Utility and Maintenance vehicles that are operated by the City and publicly or privately owned utilities, or contractors operating on behalf of the City or such utilities, may be allowed access if there is no other practicable method to access the location needing service. As determined by the City Manager or designee, utility and maintenance vehicles operating on behalf of other parties, including businesses, building owners, and tenants, may be granted access by the City if there is no other practicable method to access the location needing service. Utility and maintenance vehicles do not include vehicles making routine deliveries to companies or persons.
3.4. Special Events. The City Manager or designee may authorize vehicles to access the closed street for special events.
3.5 The City Manager or designee may promulgate regulations to ensure the orderly and safe functioning of these rules. This includes time, place, and manner restrictions, as well as limiting the number of vehicles on these streets at any given time.
SECTION 4. Supersedes Resolutions 10207 and 10208. This Resolution shall supersede Resolutions 10207 and 10208, which are rescinded as of the effective date of this Resolution.
SECTION 5. CEQA. In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the environmental impacts of this Resolution were evaluated in an Environmental Impact Report Addendum entitled “City of Palo Alto Car Free Ramona Street and California Avenue Addendum to the Comprehensive Plan EIR” dated February 2025. This addendum supplements the analysis in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan (SCH #2014052101), which the Council considered and adopted, together with the related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) on November 13, 2017, in accordance with City Council Resolution 9721 and 9722. The addendum did not disclose any new significant impacts that were not previous evaluated and mitigated in the Comp plan EIR, for which a statement of overriding considerations was previously adopted.
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SECTION 6. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ __________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ __________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager
APPROVED:
__________________________
Chief Transportation Official