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Staff Not Recommended Objectives
For various reasons, including staff capacity to advance, feasibility challenges, or that work is already underway, some objectives from the 2025 Priority Objectives list, previous Council suggestions, or the Annual Retreat suggestions are not recommended to become priority objectives for 2026. Staff will be prepared to respond to any Councilmember’s questions.
12. Begin implementation of the City Facility Electrification Plan. Milestone: Council approval of design consultant contract and procurement of a contractor to construct projects at first two buildings. This objective will continue as a staff priority but is not recommended for inclusion as a standalone project, as it is already incorporated into the 2026–2027 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Work Plan. Instead, staff has added a broader objective focused on implementing the Work Plan items overall, which encompasses this initiative.
15. Pilot electrification as a service, charging as a service, or creative financing programs to complement the City' s single-family, multi-family, and/or non-residential electrification programs, that can be scaled.
Milestone: At least one new financing program is available to single-family, multi-family, and/or non- residential customers by the end of 2026.
This objective will continue as a staff priority but is not recommended for inclusion as a standalone project, as it is already incorporated into the 2026–2027 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Work Plan. Instead, staff has added a broader objective focused on implementing the Work Plan items overall, which encompasses this initiative.
16. Develop long-term Climate Action funding and financing strategies and scenarios for Council consideration. Milestone: Present strategies and scenarios to the Council Committee for consideration by December 2026.
This objective will continue as a staff priority but is not recommended for inclusion as a standalone project, as it is already incorporated into the 2026–2027 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Work Plan. Instead, staff has added a broader objective focused on implementing the Work Plan items overall, which encompasses this initiative.
54. Implement Senate Bill 79 by developing and presenting implementation options and advancing a recommended approach for City Council adoption. Seek direction from SB 79 and Downtown Housing Plan City Council Ad-Hoc Committee on next steps in Q1 and Q2; present recommendations for City Council consideration and next steps on SB 79 implementation before July 1, 2026; develop SB 79 alternative plan if directed by City Council.
Objective has been combined and updated with Objective #50.
82. Implement a gas-powered leaf blower ban citywide, based on recommendation from Policy and Services Committee.
Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway.
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83. Develop and implement strategies to activate vacant commercial storefronts, including establishing regulatory tools and streamlined permitting for temporary pop-up stores. Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway.
84. Zoning Code Update. Comprehensively Update the City's Zoning Code including policies that support Economic Development Strategies. Reformat for improved readability, update definitions, use categories, development standards and permitting processes. Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway.
85. Prepare and present an El Camino Real Area Plan that prioritizes housing production and advance implementation consistent with City Council direction. Milestones: Initiate discussion of scope of and vision for new area plan.
Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway.
86. Study and report on vacancy tax options for commercial properties and residential “ghost homes,” including enforcement mechanisms used in other jurisdictions. Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway.
87. Increase housing capacity in the California Avenue corridor by developing and adopting policy and zoning options for City Council approval (assigned 08.14.23). Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway.
88. Coordinate and partner with CalCHA (California Community Housing Agency) to support affordable housing development initiatives.
Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway.
89. Zoning Code Text Amendments relating to impacts of higher density housing on neighboring properties multi-family uses on commercially zoning properties next to residential uses (even if not residentially zoned). Assigned 11.13.23: Direct staff to review proposed amendments to PAMC
18.16.040(b) and 18.16.060 regarding Redwood residences as described in the November 7, 2023 letter from Kristi Bascom.
Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited resources and the need to prioritize other Council-directed initiatives currently underway. Moreover, the interested parties can file a text amendment application to initiate this process.
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90. Council consideration of a design option for California Avenue. Continue engaging stakeholders to refine alternative street designs for California Avenue and present to Council for discussion and action, including funding appropriations to pursue a street design in late Q2/early Q3 2026. Staff is not recommending this project at this time due to limited human and financial resources.
Suspending the project will allow staff to focus on completing the California Avenue Outdoor Activation Guidelines and supporting businesses in their requests and plans for improvements.
To activate this project funding would be necessary both for staff and professional services ($$$).
91. Refine destination marketing efforts and enhance Palo Alto’s international reputation. Meet with hospitality partners and incubator/accelerators to assess willingness to partner with the City on destination marketing efforts and propose next steps, including necessary appropriation actions, to City Council in Q2 2026.
These efforts are being incorporated into the proposed Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction (BRE/A) Strategy.