City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: June 16, 2025
Report #:2505-4613
TITLE
QUASI-JUDICIAL. 1033 Amarillo Avenue [25PLN-00015]: Request for a Parcel Map with Conditional Exceptions to Subdivide a 20,774-Square-Foot R-1 Property into Two Lots (10,661 and 10,113 Square Feet). Exceptions include Minimum Lot Width, Maximum Lot Size, and Residential Density. Zoning District: R-1 Single Family Residential. CEQA: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1. Approve the Parcel Map with Conditional Exceptions (Attachment A) finding it in substantial compliance with the approved Preliminary Parcel Map (Attachments A and B), consistent with Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter
21.16 and the Subdivision Map Act.
BACKGROUND
The applicant requests recordation of a Parcel Map with Conditional Exceptions to subdivide the existing 20,774-square-foot lot at 1033 Amarillo Avenue into two lots. Each will retain two of the four existing “cottage cluster” housing units; no structural changes are proposed.
On October 25, 2021,1 the Council provided favorable feedback on a two-lot alternative to a four-lot subdivision that would have required a zoning amendment. Council approved the Preliminary Parcel Map with Exceptions on August 1, 2022.2
1 October 25, 2021 Council Meeting: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/5/agendas-minutes- reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/2021/10-october/20211025/20211025pccsm-linked-w- times.pdf
2 August 1, 2022 Council Meeting:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=8882&compileOutputType= 1 ANALYSIS
The purpose of this report is for Council to affirm that the proposed parcel map is in substantial conformance with the previously approved preliminary parcel map for final recordation with Santa Clara County.
Staff reviewed the final Parcel Map and determined it is in substantial conformance with the approved preliminary map (22PLN-00016). The proposed lot sizes (10,661 and 10,113 square feet) are minor deviations from the previously approved sizes (10,668.50 and 10,118.77 square feet). Existing units will remain and no accessory dwelling units are on-site. Redevelopment will be subject to future review, and no net loss of units is permitted. The project is not eligible for an SB 9 lot split due to existing rental housing.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact. Application processing costs are covered by applicant fees.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Public notice was published in the Daily Post, consistent with legal requirements. No new public comments were received related to the subject application.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The subject project has been assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines, and the environmental regulations of the City. Specifically, the project is a minor subdivision with no change to existing structures. This is exempt under CEQA Guideline 15301 Existing Facilities.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Link to Parcel Map and Approved Preliminary Parcel Map (August 1, 2022) Attachment B: Record of Land Use Action for Approved Preliminary Parcel Map (August 1, 2022) APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director