From: [email protected]
To: Council, City
Subject: 4256 El Camino Real Council pre-screening meeting Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 11:23:59 AM
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Subject: Oppse 4256 El Camino Real : poorly designed housing project Dear Vice Mayor Vicki Veenker and council members Pat Burt, George Lu, Julie Lythcott-Haims, Keith Reckdahl, Ed Lauing, Carlos Romero, and Webster Lincoln,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the 4256 Elcamino Real poorly designed housing project.
As a resident of the neighborhood, I believe this matter could significantly affect the immediate community in terms of congextive traffic, high desnity living conditon with studio and one bedroom units, inadequate parking spaces in proposal.
Concern:
Tracffic congestion on already crowded Major road: El Camino Real .
There are only 100 parking spaces for 100 units.
Units breakdown:
44 studios
44 one bedroom units
8 two bedroom units
4 three bedroom units
-----------------------------------
100 total units.
Puzzle Lift Stacker parking style:
Each Puzzle module can hold 6-50 cars.
Drivers park their car in entry platform, and lifted to available spot.
Only one car can go in and out of the system - commute hours will create problems for residents.
Need to empty grocery, backpacks or furniture before car enters platform (takes time).
During power outage, no car can go in or out.
Imagine during busy time to go to work or school, you have to load everything into your care before driving away from the platform.
Please remember On El Camino Real where we have designated bike lanes,there is no parking on the street where you can load or unload your stuff from your car before you enter or exit the car platform.
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Please STOP this poorly designed project.
__________________________________________________________________________________ No Plaza, rest area or clubhouse or swimming pool either, for the well- being of the residents who live in a small cram space:studios or one bedrooms.........
We need to have quality housing - not boxed homes like in the slump areas or housing projects in SAn Francisco. We need livable housing.
Please don't give up quality of living in Palo Alto for Quantity housing projects in government subsidized areas.
Thank you very much for your time. I believe addressing these 2 main concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and futrue residents.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the city council to take these concerns into careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary Young
Charleston Meadow resident
[email protected]
From: JS
To: Council, City
Subject: 4256 El Camino Real Council pre-screening meeting Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 11:30:04 AM
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Subject: Oppse 4256 El Camino Real proposal
Dear Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Vicki Veenker, Pat Burt, George Lu, Julie Lythcott-Haims, Keith Reckdahl, Ed Lauing, Carlos Romero, and Webster Lincoln,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the 4256 El Camino Real poorly designed housing project.
As a resident of the neighborhood, I believe this matter could significantly affect the immediate community in terms of congextive traffic, high desnity living conditon with studio and one bedroom units, inadequate parking spaces in proposal.
Concern:
1. Puzzle Lift Stacker parking style:
Each Puzzle module can hold 6-50 cars.
Drivers park their car in entry platform, and lifted to available spot.
Only one car can go in and out of the system - commute hours will create problems for residents.
Need to empty grocery, backpacks or furniture before car enters platform (takes time).
During power outage, no car can go in or out.
Imagine during busy time to go to work or school, you have to load everything into your care before driving away from the platform.
Please remember On El Camino Real where we have designated bike lanes,there is no parking on the street where you can load or unload your stuff from your car before you enter or exit the car platform.
Please ask developer to add more parking spaces.
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. No Plaza, rest area or clubhouse or swimming pool either, for the well- being of the residents who live in a small cram space:studios or one bedrooms.........
We need to have quality housing - not boxed homes like in the slump areas or housing projects in SAn Francisco. We need livable housing.
Please don't give up quality of living in Palo Alto for Quantity housing projects in government subsidized areas.
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Thank you very much for your time. I believe addressing these 2 main concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and futrue residents.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the city council to take these concerns into careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Jee Smith
Ventura resident
[email protected]
From: Diane Walker
To: Council, City
Cc: Diane Walker
Subject: 4256 El Camino Project Review
Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 6:47:14 PM
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Hello:
I am concerned about proposed plan for 4256 El Camino because it is totally oversized for this small / shallow parcel of land. The Redwoods condominium complex next door is primarily 3 stories height with only 4 set-back units at 4 stories. The plan for new construction is a 6 story design with no set-backs to allow light. The proposed height will block sunlight and open sky to PARedwoods residences & endanger the heritage trees on our property. We need more housing in Palo Alto, but please, let's consider a plan that is scaled to be harmonious with neighborhood.
Thank you, Diane Walker 4250 El Camino Real C224, Palo Alto, CA 94306 This message needs your attention
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From: Armer, Jennifer
To: Kallas, Emily; Raybould, Claire
Cc: Tran, Vickie
Subject: Fw: Public comment on 4256 El Camino Real proposal (2025) Date: Monday, July 28, 2025 8:25:09 AM
Attachments: image002.png
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Emily and Claire,
See public comment below.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
JENNIFER ARMER, AICP
Assistant Director
Planning and Development Services Department
(650) 329-2191 | [email protected]
www.paloalto.gov
From: Velasquez, Ingrid <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2025 8:18 AM
To: Lait, Jonathan <[email protected]>; Armer, Jennifer <[email protected]>; Tran, Vickie <[email protected]>
Cc: Nose, Kiely <[email protected]>; Gaines, Chantal <[email protected]>; McDonough, Melissa <[email protected]>; City Mgr <[email protected]> Subject: FW: Public comment on 4256 El Camino Real proposal (2025)
Hello,
Forwarding the comment below for awareness.
Thanks,
Ingrid
Ingrid Velásquez
Administrative Assistant
Office of the City Manager
(650) 329-2354| [email protected]
www.PaloAlto.gov
From: Neil Murphy <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2025 12:28 PM
To: Council, City <[email protected]>
Subject: Public comment on 4256 El Camino Real proposal (2025)
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Members of our City Council, I am writing to submit public comments regarding the proposed development project at 4256 El Camino Real. While I support the addition of housing in our community, this proposal has some irreconcilable flaws: Parking issues: Total dependency on mechan i
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CGBANNERINDICATOR
Members of our City Council,
I am writing to submit public comments regarding the proposed development project at 4256 El Camino Real.
While I support the addition of housing in our community, this proposal has some irreconcilable flaws:
Parking issues:
Total dependency on mechanical stacking. 96/100 stalls are puzzle-lift type.
High maintenance, low throughput, prone to downtime.
Accessible parking deficiency. Only 5 accessible stalls—exactly 5%—bare minimum, no margin for future ADA upgrades or aging tenants.
Ingress/egress conflict. Entry/exit drive aisle intersects lobby access and elevator zone. Pedestrian-vehicular conflict risk.
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Circulation problems. No turnaround space; if lifts fail, no alternate parking path or egress loop.
No EV chargers indicated. Noncompliant with California CALGreen for new residential.
Traffic circulation issues:
No affordance for service vehicles or rideshares. No internal holding area, forcing double-parking on El Camino.
For reference, our comparable facility of 117 units has continuous delivery trucks and vans, two garbage trucks, constant rideshare pickup/dropoff, a daily mail truck.
The developer appears to intend to use a lane of public traffic on ECR to get a loading zone for free, to the detriment of public use and safety.
If the intention is for all service vehicles to park in the first lane of traffic on ECR, this will continually halt the flow of traffic on ECR and obstruct bike lanes.
Curbside congestion. No designated loading zone or lay-by for rideshare, deliveries, garbage, or mail. Conflicts inevitable with protected bike lanes.
Protected bike lane barrier. Direct curb access from El Camino is blocked; vehicles must cross bike lanes, creating dangerous conflict points for cyclists.
Service vehicle access. Turning radius insufficient for dual garbage trucks and delivery vans without obstructing traffic/bike lanes, assuming the intention is for these vehicles to enter the site.
Entry bottleneck. Single narrow driveway (approx. 20’) shared for all vehicle types.
High conflict, inefficient throughput. Traffic will back up onto ECR.
Design issues:
Single stair access. West wing lacks compliant second stair; trap risk in fire event.
Trash room access. Some residents will need to carry dripping garbage ~150 ft to the trash chute.
Light/air deficiency. North-facing interior units (~460 SF studios) face a narrow courtyard (~31’ wide), risking inadequate natural light/ventilation. Units facing only into 41’ wide courtyard may not meet CBC 1202.5 for natural light/ventilation due to limited sky exposure.
Elevator location. Poor central access; far from western units. Poor accessibility, move-in/out logistics.
Elevator redundancy. When one elevator goes down, how are elderly or disabled residents meant to exit the facility?
Neighbor privacy. Exterior balconies on W and S faces look directly into our own balconies, bedrooms, and living rooms.
I urge the City to carefully consider these points in evaluating the project.
Thank you,
Neil Murphy
650-504-4433
4250 El Camino Real
From: Maggie Bening
To: Council, City
Subject: 4256 El Camino Real - Proposed Housing Project - August 11 City Council Agenda Item Date: Monday, July 28, 2025 7:31:58 PM
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Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding 4256 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. As a resident and current VP of the Board of Directors at the Palo Alto Redwoods, I believe this matter will significantly affect our communities quality of life in many different ways.
Concerns:
The proposed development will increase traffic congestion on El Camino, making it unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. I also have concerns with fire safety and access of emergency vehicles since the proposed setbacks do not appear to be adequate to allow for service vehicles to access the property.
I Urge the City Council To:
Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study.
Ensure that the project design respects the privacy and character of existing neighborhoods and is harmonious with the rest of the neighborhood.
Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to accommodate new residents and minimize spillover.
Maintain open communication with residents and local organizations during all phases of planning and construction.
While I am not opposed to new housing units in Palo Alto I believe addressing these concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and future residents.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the City Council to take these points into careful consideration.
Thank you for your service and commitment to our community.
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Sincerely,
Maggie Bening
4250 El Camino Real, C324
Palo Alto, CA 94306
From: Sharlene Carlson
To: Council, City
Subject: Resident memo re: 4256 El Camino Real pre-screening August 11, 2025 Date: Monday, July 28, 2025 8:05:53 PM
Attachments: SHC letter to CC 072825.pdf
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Dear Palo Alto City Council,
I am providing my resident input regarding the proposed rezoning of 4256 El Camino Real to allow for dense housing that has been agendized for your August 11 meeting. Please review and consider my concerns and include my memo in your agenda packet.
Thank you,
Sharlene Carlson
650 269-6467 if you have questions
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MEMORANDUM
To: Palo Alto City Council members
From: Sharlene Carlson
4250 El Camino Real, Unit B112, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 269-6467
Date: July 28, 2025
Subject: City Council Meeting August 11, 2025 agenda item Prescreening of design concept for 4256 El Camino Real
Proposed zoning change for a dense condominium complex
I am writing to express my deep concerns about the proposed rezoning of 4256 El Camino Real (4256) from Commercial Services to Planned Home Zone to allow a dense, 100 unit, 6 story tall condominium complex on this 6/10 acre parcel. I have lived in Palo Alto for 55 years and have owned and lived in a unit in Palo Alto Redwoods (PAR) for 28 years. We have 117 condominium units situated on a 2 2/3 acre parcel with beautiful grounds and trees next door to and behind 4256. As a retired senior, my plan has been to age in place at PAR because it has always been a beautiful and safe place to live a high quality life, but now my future is threatened.
I served on my condominium board as president during the time (starting 8 years ago) that a hotel was proposed and ultimately approved by the city to replace Su Hong restaurant. I spoke frequently at ARB hearings to urge a design that concentrated massing along El Camino Real and stepped down massing closer to our residences to protect our privacy. We urged that Redwood trees on both properties be protected. We urged that traffic safety be prioritized and that adequate parking for hotel staff, guests, service and delivery vehicles be assured so traffic would not negatively impact our ability to safely get in and out of our property, since our only driveway is on El Camino. We recognized that an owner has a right to build something so long as it is reasonable and within limits, respecting residents in neighboring properties.
Ultimately there was a plan that we could live with after many design and provider changes, but following city approval the owner did not (maybe could not afford to?) build the hotel. This was before street parking was banned and bicycle lanes installed along the El Camino Real transit corridor. Now the first of three developer representatives returns proposing a massive structure that does not include any of the understandings we previously achieved over the years.
These are my concerns:
SAFETY: As a senior, I have major concerns about my personal safety driving in and out of PAR and any impacts that construction and traffic will have on my health. The proposed development will dramatically increase traffic congestion along El Camino Real because of the increased number of resident vehicles coming in and out of 4256 and likely delays in moving vehicles into and out of the proposed puzzle lift parking system during peak times due to sequential entry and retrieval.
I rely on a car for transportation and am concerned that many vehicles will be backed up in car and bike lanes in front of PAR and 4256 waiting to access puzzle parking and blocking vision for vehicles entering and exiting PAR, including resident, guest, service and delivery vehicles. And there is no place for guest, service or delivery vehicles to park in the 4256 garage, which will cause significant safety issues for all. o Traffic - I urge you to conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study before any decision is made. I also urge you to require the developer to provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to accommodate resident, guest, service and deliver vehicles within the property to minimize vehicle spillover onto El Camino Real. Street parking is no longer an option for any vehicles. o Environment - I urge you to require strong noise and dust control during construction and assure that equipment is quiet and non-polluting during construction and as the building functions and is maintained.
TREE PROTECTION: PAR's Redwood trees are our most valuable assets, and we have arborists regularly feed and prune them. Some Redwoods are on the 4256 property and they provide a visual barrier between properties. They get the benefit of the care we provide our trees as nothing has been done on the 4256 property to protect their Redwoods over the past 8 years. The proposed condominium building appears to be taller than our Redwood trees so adequate sunlight is a concern. I urge you to require a study on how all Redwoods will be impacted, kept and optimally maintained with regular arborist care.
PRIVACY, MASSING, ZONING: PAR felt that we were able to live with the height and massing design of the approved hotel, so we likely can live with something similar in a housing complex. We understand that the city must approve new housing units per state mandates. But we urge you not to allow zoning changes but rather consider housing with the same massing as the approved hotel, which means less density, building height reductions, and greater setbacks to preserve privacy. Please ensure that the project design respects the privacy and character of our existing residential community.
OPEN COMMUNICATION: So far we have had no communication from the city or the developer. We learned about the condominium proposal in local newspapers and learned about the August 11 prescreening conceit agenda item coming before City Council because we monitor Palo Alto's Buildingeye. I urge you to require open communication with PAR residents during all phases of planning and construction.
Thank you for your service and commitment to residents of Palo Alto. I deeply appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage you to carefully consider these points.
From: McKenzie White
To: Council, City
Subject: Concerns About the Proposed 4256 El Camino Project Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 4:26:56 PM
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Dear Palo Alto City Council,
My name is McKenzie White, and as of December 2024, I am a new homeowner in the Palo Alto Redwoods complex at 4250 El Camino Real. I moved across the country and found a sense of home in this unique, close-knit community.
I was recently made aware of the proposed 100-unit development at 4256 El Camino Real, and I’m writing to express serious concerns about the project’s scale and its potential impact on our neighborhood.
At six stories tall, the proposed building would tower over the existing streetscape - larger than any nearby structure.
It would obstruct views, block natural sunlight, and cast a shadow over shared spaces like our pool area. Several units in our complex would have their balconies facing directly into the new development, stripping us of privacy and diminishing the character of our community.
Beyond the visual and spatial concerns, this project would significantly increase local traffic, noise, and congestion.
Emergency response times may suffer, and the overall quality of life for residents in the immediate area could decline.
While we understand that development is inevitable - and even welcome thoughtful growth - we urge the City to reconsider the current scale of this project. We ask that you conduct thorough impact studies on traffic, parking, privacy, property values, and the environment, and consider reducing the size to better align with the surrounding neighborhood.
Thank you for your time and for giving our community a voice. I look forward to the August 11th meeting at 5:30 PM.
Sincerely,
McKenzie White
4250 El Camino Real, Unit B417
Palo Alto, CA 94306
From: Jean Kvasnica
To: Council, City
Subject: 4256 El Camino Real - Multi Family Development - concerns Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 5:36:59 PM
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Subject: 4256 El Camino Real - MultiFamily Development
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the 4256 El Camino Housing Development.
As a resident and homeowner at Palo Alto Redwoods 4250 El Camino, I believe this matter could significantly impact our
community in terms of the density, safety and quality of life we have and for our surrounding neighbors.
Concern:
* The proposed development will increase traffic congestion on El Camino, making it unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists.
* We have a large community here of various ages, some who bike to school, walk along El Camino to local stores, or walk for exercise.
* The density and robustness of the building will also greatly impact the families that live directly next to and behind this proposed project where the building butts right up against the property line
* I am also concerned about fire safety and emergency vehicle access due to inadequate setbacks for service vehicles.
I Urge the City Council To:
* Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study. * Ensure that the project design respects the privacy and character of existing neighborhoods This message needs your attention
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* Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to accommodate new residents and minimize spillover
* Maintain open communication with residents and local organizations during all phases of planning and construction
While we support new housing in Palo Alto, I believe addressing these concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and future residents.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the City Council to take these points into careful consideration.
Thank you for your service and commitment to our community.
Sincerely,
Jean Kvasnica
4250 El Camino Real # D233
Palo Alto, 94306
[email protected]
July 29, 2025
City Council
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re: August 11, 2025 Pre-Screening of condominium at 4256 El Camino Real Honorable Mayor Lauing, Vice Mayor Veenker and City Council Members, I write to comment on the proposed 6 story, 120 unit condominium development at 4256 El Camino Real. I ask you to consider the effects on the neighbors and residents of Palo Alto.
The same applicant is in possession of a building permit for a 5 story hotel which doesn’t expire until 9/22/2025. One has to wonder why that project has only accomplished the demolition of the existing one story restaurant after 6 years. This leaves an empty lot, which blights South El Camino Real since 2020.
The proposal on the agenda for the Pre-Screening not only calls for building a condominium, but also calls for a zone change from CS (Commercial Services) to PHZ (Planned Housing Zone). Without the PHZ zone, both the height and the floor area ratio (FAR) would be cut in half, back to what the CS zone and the existing hotel building permit allows.
I care about this proposal as my property is located in the Palo Alto Redwoods (PAR) at 4250 El Camino Real, which is adjacent to 4256 ECR on three sides. The PAR community is 100% residential (117 units) in a CS zone and over 200 people live here. My building is about 10 feet from the tallest portion (91 feet) of the proposed building labeled “South Elevation” . I have windows that will be facing 75 windows and 35 full balconies.
I ask you to think about the idea of a 90 foot tall wall of windows and balconies blocking all light and views of the sky from your property. I ask you to imagine the invasion of privacy that would entail. Never being able to see outside without other people staring back at you.
The proposed condominium has minuscule setbacks of 6 feet from the property line in order to utilize the PHZ FAR of 3.57. To achieve this, there are 4 coast redwood trees on the 4256 ECR property that will have to be removed, despite being “protected” trees in Palo Alto.
Below I attach a Table from the hotel proposal’s Appendix C Tree Protection Plan from October of 2018. Trees #13, #14, #15 and #16 are on 4256 ECR property on the side labeled “West Elevation” .
Those 4 (soon to be absent) coast redwoods provided my community with shade and privacy. It took decades, if not centuries, for those 4 coast redwoods to mature, but it only takes a single day to fell them.
We will never recover the natural amenities of sunlight, beautiful coast redwood trees and privacy if the City allows the proposed extremely massive, dense and intrusive building as it is currently designed.
Residential uses mean human beings will reside in those buildings. As a neighbor already residing in Palo Alto, I ask your support for a more reasonable development.
Sincerely yours,
Anne Mason
From: Julie Baskind
To: Council, City
Cc: Clerk, City; Kallas, Emily
Subject: August 11th Prescreening of Proposed Condo Complex - 4256 ECR Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 1:43:11 PM
Attachments: Julie"s Balcony_#2.png
IMG_3435.HEIC
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City Council
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto CA 94301
Dear City Council Members:
I am a longtime homeowner (37 years) of the Palo Alto Redwoods, located at 4250 ECR. Our community totals 117 units with about 250 residents. My condo looks directly onto the empty lot where a 6-story (91 ft) housing development has been proposed. Attached are 3 photos from my deck, two with a current view of the trees and skylight, and one which includes the proposed building. My home, and those of approximately 50 other families that face east, will be
directly impacted by the loss of light and privacy.
We certainly support the need for new housing. However, this project’s current scope raises serious concerns that will impact our quality of life, safety, and property value.
While the South El Camino corridor is fertile for improvements, I hope the Council will consider :
• A comprehensive traffic and environmental impact study before approval. •Reduce building height and density with greater setbacks to protect privacy.
Separately, we extend an open invitation to each of you to visit our complex and view first hand how this project will affect our living conditions. On behalf of the HOA Board, please reach out to me directly for a tour of our property.
Our mutual goal is to ensure that this development aligns with our community’s needs and preserves the character of our neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Julie Baskind(#B214)
408-309-5865
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