8 Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC)
2025-26 Work Plan Date Reviewed by PTC July 9, 2025
Staff Liaison: Jennifer Armer, Assistant Director, Planning and Development Services (PDS) Lead Department: Planning and Development Services (PDS); Office of Transportation (OOT)
About the Commission The seven-member Planning & Transportation Commission adopted its 2025-26 work plan on July 9, 2025. The members and chairs are listed below. Members serve 4-year terms. See Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC) webpage link: http://www.paloalto.gov/gov/boards/ptc/default.asp Current Commissioners • Allen Akin (Chair)
• Bryna Chang (Vice Chair)
• Todd James
• Bart Hechtman
• Kevin Ji
• Dr. Forest Olaf Peterson
• Cari Templeton
Mission Statement The Planning & Transportation Commission advises the City Council, Planning Director, and Chief Transportation Official on land use and transportation matters, including the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, transportation programs, and related matters. The Commission's primary responsibilities include:
• Preparing and making recommendations to the City Council on the City's Comprehensive Plan and applying the Comprehensive Plan to proposed development, public facilities, and transportation in Palo Alto; • Considering and making recommendations to the City Council on zoning map and zoning ordinance changes; any changes to Title 18 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code must be reviewed by the PTC and the City Council; • Reviewing and making recommendations to the City Council on subdivisions and Site and Design Reviews, on appeals on variances and use permits;
• Considering other policies and programs affecting development and land use in Palo Alto for final City Council action;
• Reviewing and making recommendations on individual projects as described in the Municipal Code, and Open Space development;
• Reviewing and making recommendations to the City Council on transportation, parking, and other related mobility issues; and
• Ensuring robust community engagement and dialogue regarding planning, land use, and transportation and providing recommendations to the City Council regarding these matters and incorporating the public discussion. The PTC hearings provide a forum for public comment and public interaction.
8 Prior Year Work Plan On October 21, 2024, the City Council accepted the April 24, 2025 PTC recommended 2024-25 Work Plan:
https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/planning-and- transportation-commission/ptc-2024-2025-work-plan.pdf
Prior Year
Accomplishments
During the period of the PTC 2024-25 Work Plan:
• The PTC's transportation efforts included study sessions and/or recommendations on: Shared Micromobility Program; Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan; Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update; Crescent Park Traffic Calming; South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity; Parking Data Report; Car-Free Streets; VTA Speed and Reliability; and Palo Alto Link.
• The PTC's work on implementing the Comprehensive Plan, Housing Element, and Council Priorities included study sessions and/or recommendations on: Retail Code Amendments; Stream Corridor Protections; Bird Friendly Design Ordinance; Lighting Ordinance Update; Annual Review of Comprehensive Plan and Housing Element progress report; Code Amendment for Housing Element Implementation including amendments to the HIP/AHIP regulations; El Camino Real Focus Area; El Camino Real Retail Preservation Nodes Map; and ADU regulations.
• The PTC's work on development projects included review and recommendations on three Vesting Tentative Maps; a Planned Community (PC) amendment; and two Planned Home Zone (PHZ) applications.
PROJECT/GOAL 1: Retail Ordinance Updates: As part of adoption of an interim ordinance, Council has directed PTC to amend Zoning Code. This is a Council priority (objective ED 4): “Council consideration of an ordinance that expands retail opportunities and promotes retail resiliency. ”
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Overall, this project aims to
ensure a strong climate for
retail businesses in Palo Alto
that can allow residents to
meet their daily needs and
have a high quality of life.
The PTC is likely to discuss
a retail ordinance in fall
2025, with consideration
of an ordinance by the end
of the year.
Consultant work, staff
oversight, and meetings
preparation, and participation
from the local retail
community.
Development of new
ordinances and/or broader
policy recommendations to
the City Council.
Yes – Council
assigned.
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Any shifts in retail trends that will endure, are occurring, and can benefit from further and refined action by the City.
While this is an impactful body of work, the need to get it right and coordinate with existing and new resources outweighs the need to quickly pursue the work.
Yes
8 PROJECT/GOAL 2: Area Planning: This goal carries forward the prior year goal for neighborhood planning approaches and overall effectiveness of various approaches to neighborhood planning. The staff and PTC will consider new neighborhoods that result from the 6th cycle Housing Element sites and demand for public facilities/services. This goal includes continued work on both the Downtown Housing Plan and the San Antonio Road Area Plan.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Development policy
recommendations and
preferred alternatives for the
new area plans enable City
Council to provide direction to
guide the City's future
development.
By June 2026 Staff time to research and
prepare a staff report to PTC
and ARB. Consultant budgets
have already been allocated
Successful conversation and
recommendations of policies
and preferred alternatives to
City Council.
Yes – Council
assigned.
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Council directed work toward future area plans. N/A Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 3: Housing Program Implementation: The Housing Element was adopted by City Council on April 15, 2024, and certified by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on August 20, 2024. PTC will continue work on Housing Element implementation programs as scheduled within the Housing Element.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Complying with the
requirements of the adopted
Housing Element to encourage
housing development and
comply with State Law.
PTC and Council review of
a number of programs will
proceed over the work
plan year, as required by
the Housing Element.
Staff and consultant
resources employed.
Implementation of programs
by target dates.
Yes - State Mandated
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Program 3.9 (incentivizing multi-family as an alternative to commercial development) and Program 6.5 (supporting
innovative housing types).
SOFA objective standards Yes
8 PROJECT/GOAL 4: State Law Implementation – Laws with Prior Effective Dates and any new 2025 Laws to Become Effective in 2026: The State adopts new laws every year, some like Assembly Bill (AB) 2097, required quick action through an interim ordinance during the last fiscal year, that will then require consideration and recommendation from PTC of a permanent ordinance, others like Senate Bill (SB) 9 will require modifications to maintain consistency with State law and Housing Element goals.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Provide clarity to property
owners and potential
developers.
Ordinance
Recommendation during
2025-26 work plan term.
Staff resources. Adoption of ordinance
amendments.
Yes - State
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Implementing State laws and discuss policy considerations N/A Possibly
PROJECT/GOAL 5: Parking Programs: The PTC will receive periodic updates regarding options for improving the City’s parking programs. This includes a Roadmap for Residential Parking Permit Program improvements and commercial parking improvements. Parking Data Portal - PTC will receive an update regarding parking availability data. The new license plate reader technology allows for regular collection and reporting of parking availability.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Improved parking operations. Ongoing. Ongoing. Feedback from PTC and continued engagement from
the public.
Yes
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
The staff work behind the project continues; proposed
updates help advance the work. Additionally, the PTC
welcomes opportunities to engage w/the public on this
topic.
This project represents a large body of ongoing work to manage parking supply and parking policy.
Yes
8 PROJECT/GOAL 6: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update: A citywide evaluation of the bicycle network and pedestrian network. The plan will identify opportunities to enhance and connect the network.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Updated Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation Plan
and increase safe connectivity
across the City.
Public review draft plan
and discussion of South
Palo Alto bike/ped
connectivity in fall 2025.
Fully funded by a TDA3 grant Updated bike and ped plan No High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A Update is timely, but not mandated by any State laws. No
PROJECT/GOAL 7: Comprehensive Plan Policy Implementation: This includes Streamside Corridor and Bird Friendly Design changes in Title 18 and other Comp Plan policies that lead to Title 18 revisions.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Comprehensive Plan policies
and programs to completion.
Revised stream corridor
ordinance at July 30, 2025
PTC. Others as directed by
Council.
Staff and consultant
assistance – particularly
when staff resources will be
focused on implementation of
the Housing Element.
Adopted ordinances to amend
Title 18.
No
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A N/A Yes – Comprehensive
Plan
8 PROJECT/GOAL 8: Title 18 Updates: Considering and making recommendations to the City Council on any changes to Title 18 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code as directed by City Council, for example updates to the City’s Wireless Communications Facilities Ordinance.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Development of code
recommendations to support
City Council updates.
As directed by Council. Staff and consultant
resources would be identified
based on specific projects.
Wireless Ordinance update is
currently unsourced.
Adopted ordinances to amend
Title 18.
No
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A N/A Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 9: Project Review: The PTC will provide review as part of their regular ongoing responsibility for recommendations to City Council and staff on quasi-judicial development projects and transportation projects.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Public review of planning and
transportation projects.
Ongoing. Ongoing. Feedback from PTC and
continued engagement from
the public.
Yes
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A N/A Yes