April 13, 2026 www.paloalto.gov
3606 El Camino Real
(Builder’s Remedy) Architectural
Review, Vesting Tentative Map
Presenter:
Steven Switzer, Senior Planner
Zoning:
(CN) Neighborhood Commercial
(CS) Service Commercial
(RM-30 & RM-40) Medium Density
Multiple-Family Residence District
Adjacent Land Uses:
• Commercial
• Residential
PROJECT LOCATION
February 15, 2024 Senate Bill (SB) 330 pre-application submitted (24PLN-00047) June 10, 2025 Major ARB application submitted (24PLN-00162) December 4, 2025 ARB (Early Feedback)
September 22, 2025 Applicant requested consideration under Assembly Bill (AB) 130 (Public Resources Code Section 21080.66)
February 11, 2026 PTC (Recommended Denial 3-2-1)
April 13, 2026 City Council
BACKGROUND
• Recommended Denial (3-2-1) based on Subdivision Map Act Finding #6: “…the design of the subdivision or type of improvements is likely to cause serious public health problems” • bicyclists and pedestrians safety concerns with safe routes to school. • Additionally, the PTC recommended City Council consider the following:
• Project and cumulative traffic safety analysis;
• Providing sidewalk easements;
• Relocating ingress/egress to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and reduce congestion near El Camino Real intersections; and
• Incorporating portions of the site for a bike path.
*Of the items listed above, the applicant incorporated sidewalk easements into the proposal.
BACKGROUND (February 11, 2026 – PTC Recommendation)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
• Demo 12,572 sf of commercial space across seven (7) parcels • Demo 38 residential units
• Seven (7) stories high (83 feet tall)
• Total of 321 Units:
• Studio (54 Units)
• 1 Bedroom (109 units)
• 2 Bedrooms (119 units)
• 3 Bedrooms (39 Units)
• 37 BMR units (>13% minimum), Affordable to 50-80% AMI • 391 parking spaces (321 EV) (45 Tandem)
• 280 long term bike spaces
• Vesting Tentative Map (Merging seven parcels)
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 project could be denied on finding a specific adverse impact on public health or safety that cannot be mitigated or avoided. • 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 3.49:1 overall FAR and 128 du/ac density, would be permitted in the El Camino Real Focus Area. • State Density Bonus Law allows the applicant waivers and/or concessions from applicable standards.
• AB 130 exempts infill housing projects from CEQA and sets strict timelines for City review and decision.
• (Informational Purposes only) Conformance with:
• El Camino Real Focus Area Development Standards
• Objective Design Standards
• El Camino Real Design Guidelines
STATE LAW CONSTRAINTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Key comments include:
• Driveway locations on side streets (Matadero and
Kendall Ave)*
• Potential impacts to safe routes to school.*
• The public benefit of delivering housing (300+ new
rental units).
*A Transportation Analysis is included as a condition of approval.
REVISED RECORD OF LAND USE
• Section 8 Conditions of Approval require the Final Map to reflect the latest updated Architectural Review Plans and outstanding off site drainage improvements.
• Added Condtion of Approval for public access easement extension along Matadero Avenue:
Easement Extension. The public access easement along
Matadero Avenue will extend to the building facade, taking into account any architectural projections and as-built construction tolerances.
CEQA STATUS
Exempt Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 130 (Public Resources Code Section 21080.66).
• Statutory Exemption
• Permanent five (5) hearing limit on housing projects
• Sets timelines for Tribal Consultation
(60 days or 135 days)
• 30 days to approve/disapprove projects after Tribal
Consultation
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends that City Council:
1. Consider the project exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 130 (Public Resources Code Section 21080.66); and
2. Approve the Major Architectural Review and Vesting Tentative Map applications based on findings and subject to conditions of approval in the Revised Draft Record of Land Use Action (RLUA) in Attachment B.
STEVEN SWITZER
Senior Planner
[email protected]
650-329-2321