*NOT YET APPROVED*
1 0160187_20260506_ay16
Resolution No. _____
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
R E C I T A L S
A. The City owns eight acres of the 35-acre Cubberley site, located at 4000 Middlefield Road, and currently operates the areas it controls as a community center, using some of the spaces for classes and activities in arts and culture, athletics, and sub-leases additional space at City-subsidized rates to various non-profit and community serving groups. PAUSD owns the remaining 27 acres, most of which are leased to the City, or used for education purposes, staff offices, or third-party tenants.
B. On October 7, 2024, the City Council and Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD or District) Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining key terms and conditions for the City’s purchase of seven additional acres of land from PAUSD, contingent on voter approval of a bond measure in November 2026. The addition of the seven acres, plus the eight acres already owned by the City of Palo Alto provides an opportunity to develop a new community center and other improvements on a combined 15 acres at the Cubberley site to provide a range of City programs, including health, wellness, and recreational opportunities for residents.
C. On December 2, 2024, Council advanced the master planning effort of the future of the Cubberley site, approving a contract with Concordia, LLC, and associated budget actions for development of a revised Master Plan for the Cubberley Community Center site and a workplan for pursuit of a November 2026 local ballot measure to fund the purchase of land and development of a new community center at the Cubberley site. Subsequent Council actions included approving a five-year lease with PAUSD to continue the current use of the property, including playing fields, approval of a professional services agreement with Rincon for CEQA analysis, and approval of professional service agreements with Lew Edwards Group and Fairbank, Maslin, Metz & Associates for ballot measure strategy advisement and community polling. The Council also established the Cubberley Ad Hoc Committee (as a non-Brown Act body) to review and advise staff on efforts related to polling and development of a ballot measure that may be placed in November 2026.
D. From December 2024 through February 2026 staff held three community meetings and received additional input from Council at five additional hearings, as well as from the Planning and Transportation Commission, Architectural Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Public Arts Commission at study sessions.
E. On March 2, 2026, the City released a Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration evaluating the environmental impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of full build out under the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan for a 30-day public comment period, ending on April 1, 2026.
F. On March 11, 2026, the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) and Architectural Review Board (ARB) held a duly noticed special joint meeting to consider the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan and the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). Both the Planning & Transportation Commission and Architectural Review Board voted separately, considering the MND, *NOT YET APPROVED*
2 0160187_20260506_ay16
unanimously recommended that City Council adopt the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan, with a list of considerations for Council and staff to evaluate as the project moves forward into future phases of planning and design.
G. On March 24, 2026, the Parks and Recreation Commission held a duly noticed public hearing and to consider the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plana and Draft MND and recommended approval of the project.
H. The City reviewed all comments received on the Draft MND and prepared a Final MND, which was published on April 9, 2026. Attachment C of the Final MND includes all written comments received on the project.
I. The City Council considered said recommendations after a duly noticed public hearing held on April 20, 2026, and, after considering all public comments on the project and the Final MND, now desires to Adopt the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan MND and approve the associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan, as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
1. The environmental effects of the Project have been analyzed in an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA). The IS/MND is attached to this resolution as Attachment A.
2. The IS/MND identified one or more potentially significant effects of the Project on the environment as well as mitigation measures that would reduce the significant effects to a less than significant level. The City agrees to implement mitigation measures to mitigate the effects to a less than significant level as demonstrated through the adoption of the related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) in Attachment B of this resolution.
3. Council has independently reviewed and considered the Initial Study/MND, together with any public comments received during the public review process and other information in the record, prior to acting upon or approving the Project.
4. The IS/MND reflects and represents the independent judgment and analysis of the City of Palo Alto as lead agency.
5. Based on the whole record of proceedings, Council hereby finds that there is no substantial evidence that the Project will have a significant effect on the environment and does hereby adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program prepared for the Project.
*NOT YET APPROVED*
3 0160187_20260506_ay16
6. The Director of Planning and Development Services at the Director’s Office at 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94301 is the custodian of records and documents of proceedings on which this decision is based.
SECTION 2. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
__________________________ __________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ __________________________
Assistant City Attorney City Manager
__________________________
Director of Planning and
Development Services
*NOT YET APPROVED*
4 0160187_20260506_ay16
Attachment A
Final IS/MND
[Editor’s note: The final IS/MND is available for viewing at the link below and will be attached to this Resolution if approved.
https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Community-Services/Help-Us-Improve-Cubberley
*NOT YET APPROVED*
5 0160187_20260506_ay16
Attachment B
Mitigated Monitoring and Reporting Plan
[Editor’s note: The final MMRP is available for viewing at the link below and will be attached to this Resolution if approved.
https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Community-Services/Help-Us-Improve-Cubberley