April 20, 2026 www.PaloAlto.gov
910 Webster Street
Prescreening
Presenter:
Garrett Sauls,
Principal Planner
2 COUNCIL PRE-SCREENING PROCESS
• Required for legislative changes, including rezonings, before a formal application.
• Provides early feedback only; no formal decisions are made.
• Councilmembers are expected to refrain from forming
firm opinions, as the proposal may return for future
formal action.
3 Prescreening to rezone from Multifamily Residential (RM-20) to Planned Home Zoning (PHZ) to allow for:
o 70 units; including a possible a mix of rental and ownership o Seven-story structure including two levels of above grade parking
CONCEPTUAL PROJECT
4 PROJECT LOCATION
Location
• University
South/Professorville
Neighborhoods
Other nearby housing projects
1. Channing House (PC-8569) –
320 co-op housing
units approved in 2006
2. Webster Wood Apartments
(PC-2836) – 70 apartment
housing units approved in
1974
5 Conceptual Project Site
Height
• 81 ft, 6 in seventh floor Rooftop;
92 ft, 9 in to top of Cupola
• RM (20) District Max: 30 ft
Lot Coverage
• Proposed: 48% (24,018 sf)
• RM (20) District Max: 35% (17,500 sf)
Floor Area
• Proposed: 2.69: 1.0 (135,073 sf)
• RM (20) District Max: 0.5:1 (25,000)
Webster Street
Channing Avenue
6 Conceptual Project – Site Plan
Density
• Proposed: 61 du/ac
• RM (20) District Max: 20 du/ac
Parking and Services
• Required: 134 Spaces
• Proposed: 130 Spaces (all below grade)
• Bicycle Parking: 77 spaces required;
119 proposed
Open Space
• Ground floor Courtyard/Covered
Patio/Pool
• Seventh floor Sky Deck
7 Elevations
8 Elevations
9 Elevations
10 Elevations
11 Housing and Affordability
• Option 2 Weighted Value BMR Units:
12 BMR units proposed at
varying levels
(17.1% of units (15% minimum);
20.1% of
Weighted Value)
• Local Relocation Assistance
(PAMC Ch. 9.68)
PHZ Requirements
• Transitional Height
• Daylight plane
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
12 1. Support for more housing units on the
property, especially affordable housing
2. Height and scale of the proposed building in
the context with surrounding area
3. Impacts to the quality of life, sunlight, and
privacy
4. Potential increases to traffic and congestion
5. On-site parking for future tenants; spill-over
effects to street parking from project
6. Safety impacts for seniors living at Channing
House (850 Webster Street)
7. Daily operational impacts (noise, odor, etc.)
from dining hall on adjacent uses.
COMMENTS RAISED BY NEIGHBORS
13 CEQA STATUS
• No review under the California Environmental Quality Action (CEQA) is required for a preliminary review.
• A full review in accordance with CEQA would be initiated with the formal filing of a development application.
14 RECOMMENDED MOTION
Staff recommends that Council conduct a prescreening and provide informal comments regarding the applicant’s request to rezone the property at 910 Webster Street from Multifamily Residential (RM-20) to a Planned Home Zoning (PHZ).
Comments provided during the prescreening process are not binding on the City or the applicant.
Garrett Sauls
Principal Planner
[email protected]
650-329-2471