March 16, 2026 www.paloalto.gov
2100-2400 Geng Road
Site & Design, Conditional Use
Permit, Vesting Tentative Map
Presenter:
Steven Switzer, Senior Planner
• Zoning ROLM(E)(D)(AD):
Research, Office & Limited
Manufacturing (Embarcadero) (Site
& Design) (Automobile Dealership)
Combining District
• Adjacent Land Uses:
• Baylands Park
• Post Office
• Offices
PROJECT LOCATION
E Charleston
Rd
July 8, 2024 Senate Bill (SB) 330 pre-application submitted December 18, 2024 Site & Design, Conditional Use Permit, Vesting Tentative Map submitted October 16, 2025 ARB (Early Feedback)
December 10, 2025 PTC (Recommended approval 7-0)
December 16, 2025 PRC (Recommended approval 7-0)
January 15, 2026 ARB (Recommended approval 3-0)
March 16, 2026 City Council
BACKGROUND
PROJECT OVERVIEW
• Demo four (4) office buildings (190,000 sf)
• Construct 59 buildings (145 Townhomes)
• Three (3) stories high (42 feet tall)
• 4 Bedrooms (75 units)
• 3 Bedrooms (70 units)
• 19 BMR units (>13% minimum), Affordable to 50-80% AMI • Vesting Tentative Map for condominium purposes
• 333 parking spaces:
• 290 in Garages (70 Tandem)
• 43 on street
• 90,402 sf of usable open space
• 28,294 sf common
• 62,108 sf private
• Tree Removals (City Trees with the Park Improvement Ordinance)
STATE LAW CONSTRAINTS
• “Builder’s Remedy” project as defined in Assembly Bill (AB) 1893.
• The project may not be denied based on inconsistency with the Zoning Ordinance or Comprehensive Plan land use.
• The City may only require compliance with objective standards that would apply to the project if it were proposed on a site that allows the density requested.
• This project, with a proposed 0.97:1 FAR and 13.2 DU/ac density, would be permitted in theRM-20 zoning district. • Meets the minimum density (11 DU/ac).
• State Density Bonus Law allows the applicant waivers and/or concessions from applicable standards.
• (Informational Purposes only)Conformance with:
• RM-20 Development Standards
• Objective Design Standards
• Baylands Master Plan and Bayland Design Guidelines
• Site Assessment and Design Guidelines
STATE LAW CONSTRAINTS
Other Considerations:
• Housing Inventory Site (175 units)
• Comprehensive Airport Land Use Plan
• Parkland Dedication in-lieu fees
• Floodplain/Grading
• Tree Removals
• 218 on-site
• 50 off-site
• Tree Replacements
• 648 on-site (50% native)
Concession:
1. Distribution of BMR units
Waivers:
1. Floor Area Ratio (0.97:1 where 0.5:1
maximum is allowed)
2. Height (42 ft where 30 ft maximum is
allowed)
3. Front Setback (16.5 ft where 20 ft is
required)
4. Rooftop Garden Width
5. Private street width (26 ft where 32 ft
is required)
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
CEQA STATUS
Consistent with Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines, the City prepared an Initial Study checklist and determined that the project is consistent with the Certified Environmental Impact Report for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan (SCH #2014052101).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends that City Council:
1. Consider the project exempt from CEQA in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Comprehensive Plan Consistency) as documented in Attachment G;
2. Approve the Site and Design, Conditional Use Permit, and Vesting Tentative Map Applications based on findings and subject to conditions of approval in the revised Draft Record of Land Use Action (RLUA); and
3. Adopt the Parkland Improvement Ordinance in Attachment C authorizing the proposed work and modifications in the Baylands Athletic Center within the City’s Baylands open space.
STEVEN SWITZER
Senior Planner
[email protected]
650-329-2321