February 2, 2026 www.paloalto.gov
BOARDS & COMMISSION
WORK PLANS
Planning & Development Services
and Utilities Departments
Presenters: Jennifer Armer, Assistant Director, PDS
Alan Kurotori, Director of Utilities
Available for Questions: Yingxi Chen, ARB Chair
Samantha Rohman, HRB Chair
Allen Akin, PTC Chair
Greg Scharff, UAC Chair
15 • Reviewed approximately 20 projects
• Provided feedback to assist Council
on numerous standards, guidelines,
ordinances, and plans.
• 2025 Design Awards and selected six
(6) winners out of 100+ projects.
ARB 24-25 Accomplishments
3 15
1. Review Planning applications for conformance with ARB Findings and Objective Standards.
2. Provide feedback to staff and Council on the creation of new guidelines, ordinances, and/or streetscapes, as directed by Council.
3. Assist the City as it considers modifications to Objective Standards; Provide feedback based on research from projects as they go through the objective standards ministerial processes. Suggest ways to better address different housing typology.
4. Discuss specific Coordinated Area Plans/ streetscape improvements and provide comments that the ARB would recommend exploring/implementing.
5. Improve Coordination between the Architectural Review Board and other boards, commissions, and Council.
4 ARB 25-26 Work Plan (ARB Approved July 3, 2025)
15 • Twenty-one (21) new properties on the
Palo Alto Historic Inventory.
• Five (5) category upgrades.
• Five (5) development proposals.
• Recommended naming for the Fred Eyerly
Tower Well Park.
• Established a local Historic Preservation
Award program that will be held in 2026.
HRB 24-25 Accomplishments
1023 FOREST AVENUE – Rehabilitation and Restoration
6 15
1. Limited modification to PAMC 16.49 providing clarifications on the HRB’s role.
2. Education and Creating New User-Friendly Resources/Communication Regarding Historic Preservation.
3. Prepare an updated Local Inventory Resource list.
4. Additional preservation incentives.
5. Establish a Historical Preservation Award Program.
HRB 25-26 Work Plan (HRB Approved July 10, 2025)
7 15
• Transportation
• Comprehensive Plan &
Housing Element
Implementation
• Council Priorities
• Development Projects
PTC 24-25 Accomplishments
Palo Alto Link Palo Alto Safety Action Plan
El Camino Real Retail Node Map 3265 El Camino Real – 100% Affordable Housing Project
9 15
1. Retail Ordinance Update
2. Area Planning
3. Housing Element Program Implementation
4. State Law implementation
5. Parking Programs
6. Bike and Ped Transportation Plan Update
7. Comprehensive Plan Policy Implementation
8. Title 18 Updates
9. Project Review
PTC 25-26 Work Plan (PTC Approved July 9, 2025)
10 February 2, 2026 www.paloalto.gov
Utilities Advisory Commission
Work Plan
Presenter: Alan Kurotori, Director of Utilities
Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) 24-25 Accomplishments • Reviewed and recommended adoption of Electric,
Water, Gas, Wastewater, and Fiber Rates, including
Residential Electric Time of Use Rates.
• Recommended to retain Western Area Power
Administration (WAPA) hydroelectricity base
resource contract allocation from 2025-2030.
• Recommended Electric Integrated Resource
Plan showing Palo Alto meeting state’s 60% by
2030 renewables standard.
Shasta Dam, part of the Western Area Power
Administration (WAPA) project.
12 Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) 24-25 Accomplishments • Discussed Grid Modernization and Fiber to the
Premises pilot area construction for electrification and fiber services.
• Accepted the 2025 Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Plan
including vegetation management and Public Safety
Power Shutoff (PSPS) strategies.
• Discussed options on proposed second CAISO
transmission corridor connection and coordination
with PG&E.
Utilities undergrounding in the
Foothills to reduce wildfire risk.
13 UAC 25-26 Work Plan (UAC Approved April 2, 2025)
1. Annual Budget
2. Water Supply
3. Electric System and Supply
4. Gas System and Supply
5. Utilities Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
6. Reliability, Resiliency and Adaptation
7. Legislative Initiatives
8. Council-Driven Initiatives
9. Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Support
10. Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)
11. Long-Term Strategy for CPAU’s Natural Gas Utility
14 JENNIFER ARMER
Assistant Director
PTC Staff Liaison
[email protected]
650-329-2191
STEVEN SWITZER
Senior Historic Planner
ARB & HRB Staff Liaison
[email protected]
650-329-2321
ALAN KUROTORI
Director, Utilities
UAC Staff Liaison
[email protected]
650-329-2161