January 26, 2026
Tom Sullivan
530 Barron Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94306
SUBJECT: 530 Barron Avenue : Denial of Individual Review Application 25PLN-00021
On August 28, 2025, staff, on behalf of the Director of Planning and Development Services, conditionally approved Single Family Individual Review application 25PLN-00102 for a new two-story residence at 530 Barron Avenue. This approval was granted pursuant to the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Sections 18.12.110 and 18.77.075 based on the finding that the conditionally approved project plan set received July 8, 2025, met the Palo Alto Single Family Individual Review Guidelines , and complies with the R-1 zone district regulations and other applicable City regulations for development as conditioned.
Prior to the approval becoming effective, the City received two timely requests for a Director’s Hearing. A Director’s Hearing was held on October 15, 2025, and continued to January 12, 2026. After consideration of all the evidence in the record, the Director of Planning and Development Services denies the proposed project.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposal is a request by Tom Sullivan, for Single Family Individual Review to allow deconstruction of an existing 924-square-foot one-story residence, and construction of a new 2,528-square-foot, two-story single -family residence with an attached one-car garage in the R -1 zoning district, as shown on the plans received on July 8, 2025. A Junior Accessory Dwelling unit and conversion of a portion of the existing residence into a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit are shown for reference but are not subject to Individual Review.
DIRECTOR’S HEARING
Vicki Young, residing at 3730 La Selva Drive , and Kerri Jung, residing at 538 Barron Avenue, each requested a hearing within the 14-day hearing request period. Ms. Young expressed concern regarding removal of the protected redwood tree and stated disagreement that the findings set forth in Title 8 of the municipal code for removal of the tree had been met . Ms. Jung expressed that she believed that there were viable alternatives to save the protected redwood tree and requested a hearing to allow for further discussion.
On October 15, 2025, the Director held a public hearing at which members of the public were provided the opportunity to comment. The applicant and those who requested the hearing were provided an opportunity to speak to their proposal and concerns, respectively. The Director determined that sufficient evidence had not been provided to comply with PAMC Section Docusign Envelope ID: F1890A66-0164-4CEB-BCF2-A8A1C2C24004 530 Barron Avenue Denial
Individual Review 25PLN-00021
8.10.050(b)(2) for removal of Tree #1, a protected 107 -inch diameter redwood tree, and hence continued the hearing, requesting more information be provided to support protected tree removal consistent with PAMC Section 8.10.050(b)(2).
On November 25, 2025, the applicant provided supplemental information, which is reflected in the January 12, 2026, staff report. The documentation provides an alternative to the proposed project that includes a 1,783 square foot residence. A junior accessory dwelling unit and conversion of a portion of the existing residence into an accessory dwelling unit is also shown on the plans, similar to the proposed project, though accessory dwelling units are not subject to discretionary review. The documentation states that the cost to construct the proposed alternative would be less than the cost of construction of the proposed project because the floor area is smaller, but that this smaller floor area would impact the resale value by more than the threshold of twice the reproduction value of the tree. In addition, the documentation includes a statement by the applicant’s arborist that the alternative project would not adversely affect the tree “as long as the foundations were designed to bridge over the larger ro ots and compaction within the TPZ was kept to a minimum.” Prior to the January 12, 2026 hearing, staff suggested that the applicant provide additional information relating to PAMC 8.10.050(b)(2), such as the cost and feasibility of bridging the foundation for the alternative design and the extent to which compaction could realistically be avoided within the tree protection zone; the applicant chose not to do so.
DECISION AND FINDINGS
Although the project is found to meet the Individual Review Design Guidelines as well as the development standards set forth for the R-1 Zone District, the applicant has not submitted information to show compliance with the findings for removal of a protected tree, as set forth in 8,10.050 of the municipal code. For removal of a protected tree when associated with a proposed development, PAMC Section 8.10.050(b)(2) requires that, “there is no financially feasible design alternative that would allow for preservation of the tree(s). For the purposes of this subsection (a)(2), a financially feasible design alternative means a design alternative that preserves the tree(s) and would not increase the project cost by more than twice the reproduction cost of the tree(s) or ten percent of the given project valuation, whichever is greater.”
The valuation of the tree is estimated at $94,300. The construction cost for the alternative project was not provided. As noted above, information from the applicant states that it would be less than the cost of construction of the proposed project and the applicant’s arborist stated that the alternative design would not adversely impact the tree in certain conditions. On this record, the Director of Planning and Development Services finds that the applicant has not met the standard in PAMC 8.10.050(b)(2) for removal of a protected tree. Accordingly, this application for a two-story, single-family home project is denied.
This denial will become effective 14 calendar days from the postmark date of this letter, unless an appeal is filed, as provided by Chapter 18.77.075 of the PAMC. An appeal may be filed by written request with the City Clerk before the date the Director’s decision be comes final. The written request shall be accompanied by a fee, as set forth in the municipal fee schedule. Only an Docusign Envelope ID: F1890A66-0164-4CEB-BCF2-A8A1C2C24004 530 Barron Avenue Denial
Individual Review 25PLN-00021
applicant, or the owner or tenant of an adjacent property may appeal. As the plans may have been revised since the original submittal, interested parties may wish to review the tentatively denied plans online at the City’s Planning webpage https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Planning- Development-Services/Current-Planning/Projects/530-Barron-Ave. If you need assistance reviewing the plans, you may visit the City’s Development Center at 285 Hamilton Avenue.
Should you have any questions regarding this denial, please feel free to contact Claire Raybould at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Jonathan Lait
Director of Planning and Development Services
Attachment A : Conditions of Approval
cc: Vickie Young, 3730 La Selva Drive , Palo Alto, CA 94306 Kerri Young, 538 Barron Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Docusign Envelope ID: F1890A66-0164-4CEB-BCF2-A8A1C2C24004