September 15, 2025 www.paloalto.gov
414 California Avenue
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 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 Community Commercial (CC(2)) to
Planned Home Zoning (PHZ) to allow
for:
o Construction of 14 rental units and
23 condo units in a six-story
structure with below grade parking
and ground floor retail/restaurant
use.
CONCEPTUAL PROJECT
4 PROJECT LOCATION
Location
• 414 California Ave
Other nearby uses
• California Ave. CalTrain Station
• California Ave. Farmer's Market
• Live Music and Community Events
• Downtown setting and businesses
ZONING COMPARISON
6 Building Height: 83 ft proposed
• Max 60 ft allowed under Housing Incentive Program (HIP) Setbacks: 0 ft proposed on Mimosa Lane; 5 ft required
• Overhangs and other public ROW encroachments
FAR (Floor Area Ratio): 3.57:1 proposed
• Max 0.6 for residential use (base zoning)
• 2.6 allowed under HIP
Parking: 88 spaces provided
• 169 required (base zoning); 161 required under HIP
• Eligible for AB 2097, TDM plan required
Loading Space: 1 proposed; 1 required for commercial use Open Space: 44 sf/unit proposed and only accessible by 5 units; 150 sf/unit required
5 PROPOSED ELEVATION DRAWINGS
6 6
7 Housing Context
• California Ave. identified for accelerated housing, but no guiding policy framework has been developed
• PHZ applications allow broad discretion, but no coordinated plan for station proximity redevelopment
Design & Compliance
• Balconies shallow (<6 ft.); roof decks only serve adjacent units • Refuse pick-up requires redesign
• Public right-of-way: canopy encroachments + Mimosa Lane closure need further review
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
8 COMMUNITY COMMENTS
• To date, we have received several letters of support for the proposal:
• Project location/proximity to CalTrain and retail
• Anticipate this will support local business
• Support new housing options
9 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.
10 RECOMMENDED MOTION
Staff recommends that Council conduct a prescreening and provide informal comments regarding the applicant’s request to rezone the properties at 414 California Avenue from Community Commercial (CC(2)) 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