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*Not Yet Adopted*
Resolution No. ____
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Community Design Element Text to Amend the Description of the Multiple Family Land Use Designation.
R E C I T A L S
A. On December 21, 2021, Architect Amanda Borden, on behalf of Smith Properties and Palo Alto Dental Research A Corp (“Applicant”), submitted an application for Rezoning to Planned Community/Planned Home Zoning (PHZ) to redevelop the 511 Byron Street – 680 University Avenue project site with 66 rental residential units and 1,984 sf of office space (the “660 University Project”).
B. The project requires an amendment to the description of the Multiple Family Land Use Designation in the Land Use and Community Design Element of the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan to permit the retention of existing commercial uses on the project site.
C. Whereas the Planning and Transportation Commission, after a duly noticed public hearing on October 8, 2025, recommended that the City Council amend the text of the Land Use and Community Design Element of the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan as set forth below.
D. Whereas the City Council considered said recommendation after a duly noticed public hearing held on ___________ and now desires to amend the Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Design Element 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 a Text Amendment to the Land Use and Community Design Element.
SECTION 2. The proposed Land Use and Community Design Text Amendments is consistent with the following goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan:
Policy L-1.1: Maintain and prioritize Palo
Alto’s varied residential neighborhoods
while sustaining the vitality of its
commercial areas and public facilities.
The proposed amendment would allow for
expansion of allowable land uses, to maintain
the limited existing commercial land uses within
this land use designation.
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Policy L-1.3: Infill development in the
urban service area should be compatible
with its surroundings and the overall
scale and character of the city to ensure a
compact, efficient development pattern.
The proposed amendment would allow for i a
mix of new housing, amenity space, and
retention of commercial uses. This would
maintain the existing character of the
neighborhoods in which the uses are located.
Policy L-1.5: Regulate land uses in Palo
Alto according to the land use definitions
in this Element and Map L-6
The proposed amendments ensure compliance
with this policy and modify the land use map to
align with past, current, and future uses of the
site in order to address current inconsistencies
between the map and existing uses and to
facilitate future mixed-use projects utilizing the
Planned Community process.
Policy L-1.6: Encourage land uses that
address the needs of the community and
manage change and development to
benefit the community.
The proposed amendment takes into
consideration the needs of the community by
maintaining existing uses, including medical
offices and neighborhood serving businesses
within walking distance of residences.
Policy L-2.2: Enhance connections
between commercial and mixed-use
centers and the surrounding residential
neighborhoods by promoting walkable
and bikeable connections and a diverse
range of retail and services that caters to
the daily needs of residents.
The amendments allows for extended access to
services and jobs within walking distance of
residences, that cater to the daily needs to
residents.
Policy L-2.6: Create opportunities for new
mixed-use development consisting of
housing and retail.
The comprehensive plan amendment would
allow for a mix of uses on a site where currently
only residential uses are allowed.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby amends the description of the Multiple-Family Land Use Designation in the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Community Design Element to read as follows:
Multiple-Family Residential: The permitted number of housing units will vary by area, depending on existing land use, proximity to major streets and public transit, distance to shopping and environmental problems. Net densities will range from 8 to 40 units and 8 to 90 persons per acre. Density should be on the lower end of the scale next to single-family residential areas. Densities higher than what is permitted may be allowed where measurable community benefits will be derived, services and facilities are available, and the net effect will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Population densities will range up to 2.25 persons per unit by 2030.
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As part of a Planned Community zone, or in accordance with retail preservation requirements, existing commercial square footage may be maintained or rebuilt, as part of a housing development project.
SECTION 4. In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the environmental impacts of this Resolution were evaluated in an Environmental Impact Report for the 660 University Project, which the Council considered and adopted, together with the related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) on ______________ in accordance with Resolution ___________.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor
__________________________ __________________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
Assistant City Attorney City Manager