August 11, 2025 www.paloalto.gov
4256 El Camino Real
Pre-screening
City Council
Presenter:
Emily Kallas, Senior Planner
2 COUNCIL PRE-SCREENING PROCESS
• Pre-Screening is required for legislative changes,
including rezoning, prior to submittal of a formal
application [PAMC Section 18.79.030(A)].
• Pre-Screenings are intended to solicit early feedback on proposed projects and cannot result in any formal action.
• City Council Councilmembers should refrain from forming firm opinions supporting or opposing the project as the proposal may return as a formal application (quasi-
judicial).
3 • Prescreening for a proposal to rezone
from Commercial Service (CS) to
Planned Home Zoning (PHZ) to allow
for:
o Construction of 120 rental units in a
six-story structure with above grade
parking
o Replaces a Hotel project entitled in
2020 but never built.
CONCEPTUAL PROJECT
4 PROJECT LOCATION
Location
• 4256 El Camino Real
• Nearest major intersection: El
Camino at Charleston/Arastradero
to the north
• In the Housing Incentive Program
(HIP) area
Other nearby uses
• Palo Alto Redwoods Condominiums
• Single-family residences
• Hotels, and Palo Alto Event Center
Approximate R1
District Boundary
SITE PLAN
6 Building Height: 79 ft 6 in proposed
• Max 50 ft allowed
• 35 ft limit near R-1 zones
Lot Coverage: 87% proposed
• Max 50% allowed; Up to 100% under HIP
FAR (Floor Area Ratio): 3.57:1 proposed
• Max 0.6 for residential use (base zoning)
• 2.85 allowed under HIP
• Up to 3.5 allowed for Housing Element sites
Parking: 100 spaces provided
• 130 required (base zoning); 125 required under HIP
Loading Space: None proposed; 1 required
Open Space: 130 sf/unit proposed; 150 sf/unit required
PROPOSED ELEVATION DRAWINGS
6 6
PROPOSED ELEVATION DRAWINGS
6 7
8 • El Camino Real Development: Large housing developments proposed along ECR that exceed base zoning due to Housing Focus Area or builder’s remedy. • Retail Preservation: The project excludes retail space, though 3,300 sf is currently required; upcoming Council review of map revisions may alter this. • PC Requirements: Nearest R-1 property with non-complying apartments is ~110 ft away; nearest single-family home is 150+ ft; applicant seeks to modify 35-ft height limit near R-1 through PHZ application.
• Affordable Housing: While close, the conceptual project falls short of the 20% inclusionary at 80% AMI required for PHZ; deeper affordability or more BMR units would be needed
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
9 NEIGHBOR COMMENTS
• Several neighbor comments were received, primarily from residents in the Palo Alto Redwoods Condominiums
• Common concerns include:
o Increased traffic congestion
o Not enough parking
o A lack of setbacks and/or stepbacks from the
neighboring residences
o Privacy
o Importance of protecting existing redwood trees
10 CEQA STATUS
• No review under the California Environmental Quality Action (CEQA) is required for a preliminary review.
• A full review in accordance with CEQA would be initiated with the formal filing of a development application.
11 RECOMMENDED MOTION
Staff recommends that Council conduct a prescreening and provide informal comments regarding the applicant’s request to rezone the properties at 788-796 San Antonio from Service Commercial (CS) to a Planned Home Zoning (PHZ).
Comments provided during the prescreening process are not binding on the City or the applicant.
Emily Kallas, AICP
Senior Planner
[email protected]
650-617-3125