CITY COUNCIL
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: June 8, 2026
Report #: 2604-6277
TITLE
QUASI-JUDICIAL. 3980 El Camino Real (Buena Vista) [26PLN-00090]: Request for a Final Map to Subdivide a Single, 4.52-Acre Parcel into Two Parcels. The Subdivision would Facilitate Renovation of the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park as well as Future Construction of a 100% Affordable Apartment Building on the Resulting Parcels (24PLN-00041). A Tentative Map was Previously Approved on August 12, 2024. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Final Map (Attachment B), which is in Substantial Compliance with the Vesting Tentative Map Approved on August 12, 2024, pursuant to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Section 21.16 and the Subdivision Map Act.
BACKGROUND
On April 30, 2024, the Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA), filed a Vesting Tentative Map application (24PLN-00129) concurrently with a Streamlined Housing Development review application (24PLN-00041) in relation to the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park. In accordance with the PAMC Section 21.13 Vesting Tentative Map, the map application was deferred until all other entitlements were approved. The Planning and Transportation Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the Vesting Tentative Map on July 10, 2024, and City Council approved the Vesting Tentative Map on August 12, 2024, along with the associated entitlements for the proposed improvements. The Record of Land Use Action (RLUA 2024-13) is included in Attachment A.
On April 21, 2026, SCCHA filed a Final Map application. The Final Map application is the second of a two-phased process to subdivide the existing 196,918-square-foot (4.52 acre) parcel into two resulting parcels. The Final Map is the official legal document recorded with Santa Clara County that establishes the property lines and easements within the subdivision. The Final Map must be prepared under the direction of a registered civil engineer or a licensed land surveyor and be based on a survey. Approval of a Final Map is ministerial if the Final Map is in substantive compliance with the approved Vesting Tentative Map and the subdivider has satisfied the conditions of approval attached to the Tentative Map. While many cities delegate
approval of the Final Map to the City Engineer, under PAMC Section 21.16.240, the City Council is responsible for the approval in Palo Alto.
The Final Map facilitates financing for the SCCHA to conduct necessary utility upgrades to one of the parcels. It also facilitates the future redevelopment of the property with a multi-family apartment building and a mobile home park on the resulting 1.69-acre and 2.82-acre parcels, respectively. More information about the current status of improvements at the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park can be found on the project website:
https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Current- Planning/Projects/3980-El-Camino-Real-Buena-Vista.
ANALYSIS
The Final Map is the document containing the statements, acknowledgements, and agreements from the property owner, surveyor, City officials, and beneficiaries that the Final Map is in conformance with all applicable regulations and the approved Vesting Tentative Map. The map also includes dedication of emergency vehicle access easements needed for the site. The sidewalk and utilities easement shown on the Vesting Tentative Map are not shown on the Final Map as the exact location of these is still being refined in coordination with Valley Water, HCD, the County Housing Authority, and City of Palo Alto Utilities. These will be recorded through separate instrument prior to issuance of required street work permits and/or prior to operation of the electrical equipment.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts related to the recommended action. The proposed subdivision facilitates redevelopment of the resulting parcels with affordable housing pursuant to the approved Buena Vista redevelopment Project previously approved. Affordable housing projects are exempt from development impact fees. It is anticipated that property tax revenue will increase upon the completion of the project as a result of the assessment of a higher property value.
HCD is providing SCCHA with an approximately $24 million forgivable loan to implement infrastructure improvements at Buena Vista. Recordation of the Final Map is necessary prior to closing of the forgivable loan this month so that SCCHA can expend the funds in advance of the June 2027 statutory deadline for use of these funds.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Palo Alto Municipal Code requires notice of this public hearing be published in a local paper and mailed to owners and occupants of property within 600 feet of the subject property at least ten days in advance. Notice of a public hearing for this project was published in the Daily Post on May 29, 2026, which is 10 days in advance of the meeting. Postcard mailing occurred on May 27, 2026, which is 12 days in advance of the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed action is ministerial and CEQA does not apply. The project was previously evaluated in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and found to be exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15332.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Approved Record of Land Use Action for the Vesting Tentative Map Attachment B: Final Map
APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director