City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: December 15, 2025
Report #:2511-5419
TITLE
QUASI-JUDICIAL. 3150 El Camino Real [25PLN-00273]: Request for a Final Map to Merge Three Contiguous Parcels to Create a 111,030-Square-Foot Parcel. The Final Map Would Facilitate Construction of a 368-Unit Rental Development Project (24PLN-00230) Previously Approved on July 11, 2025. Zone District: CS (Commercial Services). CEQA Status: Exempt in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Approve the Final Map (Attachment A), which follows the approved Vesting Tentative Map, for the previously approved residential project at 3150 El Camino Real pursuant to Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 21.16 and the Subdivision Map Act.
BACKGROUND
On August 27, 2024, Acclaim Companies filed a Vesting Tentative Map application (24PLN- 00231) concurrently with a Streamlined Housing Development review application (24PLN- 00230). In accordance with the Vesting Tentative Map Code Chapter 21.13, the map application was deferred until all other entitlements were approved. The Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) reviewed and recommended approval of the Vesting Tentative Map on May 14, 2025, and City Council approved the Vesting Tentative Map on August 11, 2025. The Record of Land Use Action (RLUA 2025-05) is included in Attachment A.
On October 21, 2025, Acclaim Properties filed a Final Map application. The Final Map application is the second of a two-phased process to merge the three existing parcels into one 111,030-square-foot parcel. The Final Map is the official, legal document that is recorded with the County that establishes the property lines, streets, and easements within the subdivision.
The Final Map must be prepared under the direction of a registered civil engineer or a licensed land surveyor and be based on a survey. Approval of a Final Map is ministerial if the Final Map is in substantive compliance with the approved Vesting Tentative Map and the subdivider has satisfied the conditions of approval attached to the Tentative Map. While many cities delegate
approval of the Final Map to the City Engineer, under Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Section
21.16.240, the City Council is responsible for the approval.
The approved Streamlined Housing Development Review application allows the resulting lot to be redeveloped with a seven-story, 443,522-square-foot residential rental building with 368 units.
ANALYSIS
The Final Map is the document containing the statements, acknowledgements, and agreements from the property owner, surveyor, City officials and beneficiaries that the Final Map is in conformance with all applicable regulations and the approved Vesting Tentative Map.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
There are no policy implications related to the approval of the Final Map, since the map is consistent with the approved Vesting Tentative Map.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts related to the processing of a final map. The applicant has paid the required processing fees pursuant to the fiscal year 2026 fee schedule. Development impact fees of $14,048,757.25, as well as the applicable public art in-lieu fees, will be required for the proposed improvements and shall be paid prior to final or temporary occupancy. It is anticipated that property tax revenue will increase upon the completion of the project.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Palo Alto Municipal Code requires notice of this public hearing be published in a local paper and mailed to owners and occupants of property within 600 feet of the subject property at least ten days in advance. Notice of a public hearing for this project was published in the Daily Post on November 28, 2025, which is 10 days in advance of the meeting. Postcard mailing occurred on November 24, 2025, which is 14 days in advance of the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed action is ministerial and CEQA does not apply. However, the City evaluated the Vesting Tentative Map and Streamlined Housing Development Review applications in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and prepared a documented exemption showing the project’s consistency with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan). A link to the documentation supporting the exemption is included in Attachment B.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Record of Land Use Action for the Vesting Tentative Map Attachment B: Final Map and Link to Environmental Documents APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director