ATTACHMENT B
DRAFT APPROVAL NO. ____-2026
RECORD OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO LAND USE ACTION FOR 929 LAUREL GLEN DRIVE: SITE & DESIGN
[FILE NO. 25PLN-00005]
On __________, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing and, after considering all of the evidence presented, approved the Site and Design Application to allow construction of 6,581-square-foot single-family residence and associated site improvements on a vacant 4.23-acre site located at 929 Laurel Glen Drive, making the following findings, determination, and declarations:
SECTION 1. BACKGROUND. The City Council of the City of Palo Alto (“City Council”) finds, determines, and declares as follows:
A. On January 8, 2025, Daniel Hruby, on behalf of VRchitects, Inc, applied for a Site and Design application to allow construction of a new 6,581-square-foot single-family residence and associated site improvements on a vacant 4.23-acre site. (“The Project”).
B. Staff has determined that the proposed project is in compliance with the applicable Open Space development standards per Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Section
18.28.050.
C. Following staff review, the Planning and Transportation Commission (Commission) reviewed the project design on February 11, 2026, and recommended approval with recommendations.
D. On June 15, 2026, the City Council reviewed the project design. After hearing public testimony, the Council voted to ____________ the project subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4 of this Record of Land Use Action.
SECTION 2. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Class 3 Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15303, the Project is exempt from CEQA and none of the Exceptions to the Categorical Exemption Listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the proposed project.
SECTION 3. SITE AND DESIGN OBJECTIVES. The design and architecture of the proposed improvements, as conditioned, complies with the Site and Design Objectives, as required per PAMC Section 18.30(G).060.
A. Objective (a): To ensure construction and operation of the use in a manner that will be orderly, harmonious, and compatible with existing or potential uses of adjoining or nearby sites.
The proposed use is a single-family house in the Open Space (OS) zoning district, on a vacant lot adjacent to other existing single-family residential uses. The proposed construction, as conditioned, complies with the development standards of the OS District in addition to all Municipal Code requirements that help to maintain order and compatibility with surrounding uses, including, but not limited to, noise, parking, and fire safety regulations. Therefore, construction and operation of the use will be orderly, harmonious, and compatible with existing or potential uses of adjoining or nearby sites.
B. Objective (b): To ensure the desirability of investment, or the conduct of business, research, or educational activities, or other authorized occupations, in the same or adjacent areas.
The proposed single-family residential use is a permitted use in the OS zoning district that complies with all applicable development standards of the district, similar to the surrounding residential uses. Therefore, the project will not affect the desirability of adjacent areas.
C. Objective (c): To ensure that sound principles of environmental design and ecological balance shall be observed.
The Open Space (OS) zoning district requires that development observe sound principles of environmental design and ecological balance. The proposed project is consistent with these objectives by preserving existing vegetation and landforms to the maximum extent feasible, minimizing grading through the use of natural site contours, limiting development to less densely vegetated areas, and employing earth-toned colors and materials that are compatible with the surrounding natural environment. The residence is sited to reduce visual prominence, with views from public areas largely screened by existing mature vegetation, and the residence is designed to avoid adverse privacy impacts. Architectural materials include wood siding, wood-clad openings, and subdued finishes that blend with the landscape. In addition, the building location and retention of slopes and mature vegetation provide natural buffers that help protect wildlife habitat, particularly in proximity to the nearby creek corridor.
D. Objective (d): To ensure that the use will be in accord with the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan.
This property is located within the Open Space/Controlled Development land use designation which allows single-family uses at the proposed density. The intention of this designation in this location is to protect, preserve, and permit the reasonable use of open space land. The new residence is located on a vacant parcel on an existing cul-de-sac with full paved street access and existing utilities. Although the site is located near a creek, the creek corridor is located a substantial distance from the proposed residence. The house is situated on a relatively flat portion of the site.
The project proposes no changes in use that would affect its conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.
SECTION 4. OPEN SPACE REVIEW CRITERIA. The following criteria shall be considered in the Site and Design review of all development of land in the OS district, as outlined in the Natural Environment Element of the Comprehensive Plan:
1. The development should not be visually intrusive from public roadways and public parklands. As much as possible, development should be sited so it is hidden from view.
The proposed structure is located in a naturally low, flatter portion of the property. The development will be hidden from view of Laurel Glen Drive, which has a higher elevation, due to the grade differential and substantial setback from the roadway. The house is also hidden from Arastradero Creek Trail by both elevation and mature trees.
2. Development should be located away from hilltops and designed to not extend above the nearest ridgeline.
The residence is located on a lower portion of the property, away from hilltops, and does not extend above the nearest ridgeline. The design follows the natural slope and, together with existing trees, ensures the building remains visually subordinate to the surrounding topography.
3. Site and structure design should take into consideration impacts on privacy and views of neighboring properties.
The residence is designed and sited to minimize impacts on neighboring privacy and preserve views. Upper-level windows and decks are oriented away from adjacent homes, and existing trees and landscaping provide additional screening to reduce potential privacy or view impacts.
4. Development should be clustered, or closely grouped, in relation to the area surrounding it to make it less conspicuous, minimize access roads, and reduce fragmentation of natural habitats.
The proposed development is proposed for a small section of the overall 4.23-acre site.
One driveway/access road will provide access to the residence and is located near existing development on neighboring residential properties. The project does not propose multiple buildings and is concentrated to a single area on the site, avoiding densely vegetated areas.
5. Built forms and landscape forms should mimic the natural topography. Building lines should follow the lines of the terrain, and trees and bushes should appear natural from a distance.
The residence and hardscape are designed to follow the natural slope of the site, with building lines stepped to align with existing contours. Retained and new trees and landscaping are placed to appear natural from a distance, integrating the development with the surrounding topography.
6. Existing trees with a circumference of 37.5 inches, measured 4.5 feet above the ground
level, should be preserved and integrated into the site design. Existing vegetation should be retained as much as possible.
The project preserves existing trees wherever feasible, including all trees with a circumference of 37.5 inches or greater that are not proposed for removal to allow for construction on the most suitable development area of the site. The arborist report surveyed 63 trees within the project vicinity. A total of 15 trees are proposed for removal, including 14 protected Coast Live Oaks and Blue Oaks. To offset these removals, 30 replacement Coast Live Oak and Blue Oak trees will be planted on site, and the remaining 30 replacement trees will be satisfied through payment of in-lieu fees in accordance with the City’s Tree Technical Manual. All remaining trees within the project area will be protected during construction with tree protection fencing in accordance with City standards, maintaining the natural character of the property.
7. Cut is encouraged when it is necessary for geotechnical stability and to enable the development to blend into the natural topography. Fill is generally discouraged and should never be distributed within the driplines of existing trees. Locate development to minimize the need for grading.
The project minimizes grading by following the site’s natural slope and avoiding unnecessary cut or fill. Limited grading is proposed only where needed for geotechnical stability, and no fill will be placed within the driplines of existing trees, allowing the development to blend with the natural topography.
8. To reduce the need for cut and fill and to reduce potential runoff, large, flat expanses of impervious surfaces should be avoided.
The project minimizes impervious surfaces by limiting hardscape to essential areas and retaining natural site contours. The design avoids large, flat expanses, reducing grading and potential stormwater runoff while preserving the site’s natural drainage patterns.
9. Buildings should use natural materials and earth tone or subdued colors.
The residence uses natural materials, including wood siding and decking, and incorporates earth-toned, subdued colors. These design choices ensure the building blends with the surrounding landscape and minimizes visual impact.
10. Landscaping should be native species that require little or no irrigation. Immediately adjacent to structures, fire retardant plants should be used as a fire prevention technique.
Landscaping immediately adjacent to the residence will consist of fire-resistant species consistent with wildfire protection requirements.
11. Exterior lighting should be low-intensity and shielded from view so it is not directly visible from off-site.
All exterior lighting will be low-intensity, directed downward, and shielded to prevent visibility from off-site. This approach minimizes light spill and preserves the natural character of the surrounding open space area.
12. Access roads should be of a rural rather than urban character. (Standard curb, gutter, and concrete sidewalk are usually inconsistent with the foothills environment).
The new access driveway is designed to follow the natural topography and minimize grading. Permeable concrete is used to maintain a rural character, reduce runoff, and blend the driveway with the surrounding foothills environment.
13. For development in unincorporated areas, ground coverage should be in general conformance with Palo Alto's Open Space District regulations.
The project is within Palo Alto City limits, not in an unincorporated area.
SECTION 5. Conditions of Approval.
PLANNING DIVISION
1. CONFORMANCE WITH PLANS. Construction and development shall conform to the approved plans entitled, "929 Laurel Glen Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94304” uploaded to the Palo Alto Online Permitting Services Citizen Portal on May 21, 2026, as modified by these conditions of approval.
2. BUILDING PERMIT. Apply for a building permit and meet any and all conditions of the Planning, Fire, Public Works, and Building Departments.
3. BUILDING PERMIT PLAN SET. A copy of this Record of Land Use Action and conditions of approval shall be printed on the second page of the plans submitted for building permit.
4. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS. All modifications to the approved project shall be submitted for review and approval prior to construction. If during the Building Permit review and construction phase, the project is modified by the applicant, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the Planning Division/project planner directly to obtain approval of the project modification. It is the applicant’s responsibility to highlight any proposed changes to the project and to bring it to the project planner’s attention.
5. UTILITY LOCATIONS. In no case shall utilities be placed in a location that requires equipment and/or bollards to encroach into a required parking space. In no case shall a pipeline be placed within 10 feet of a proposed tree and/or tree designated to remain.
6. NOISE PRODUCING EQUIPMENT. All noise producing equipment shall be located in accordance with PAMC Section 9.10.030. No person shall produce, suffer or allow to be produced by any machine, animal or device, or any combination of same, on residential property, a noise level more than six dB above the local ambient at any point outside of the property plane.
7. LIGHT AND GLARE. Exterior lighting shall be low-intensity and shielded from view, so it is not directly visible from off-site. The light emitted from skylights shall be minimal during the
night hours. Utilizing treatments such as translucent glass, shading systems, and interior light placement can reduce the night glare. Skylights shall not use white glass. a. To reduce interference with wildlife, outdoor lighting shall be limited to Correlated Color Temperature of 2700 Kelvin or less.
b. No outdoor lighting shall be on after 11pm, except to the minimum required for safety.
8. PROJECT ARBORIST. The property owner shall hire a certified arborist to ensure the project conforms to all Planning and Urban Forestry conditions related to landscaping/trees.
9. LANDSCAPE PLAN. Plantings shall be installed in accordance with the approved plan set and shall be permanently maintained and replaced as necessary.
10. ARBORIST FOLLOW UP. A follow-up arborist and/or landscape report shall be required five years after the final sign-off of the project completion. This report shall evaluate the health of trees and significant landscape that were required for screen planting or and/or were designated as protected plantings on the approved plans for the project. Any subsequent owner(s) shall also be obligated to replace any trees that die with trees of the same size and species stated on the approved planning and building permit plans.
11. TREE PROTECTION FENCING. Tree protection fencing shall be required for all trees and shrubs proposed to be maintained as identified in the Arborist Report.
12. FENCES. Fences and walls shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 16.24, Fences, of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC). Heights of all new and existing fencing must be shown on the Building Permit plans.
a. Where the existing fence is located off the subject property and/or where the existing fence is failing, a new Code compliant fence shall be constructed.
13. ESTIMATED IMPACT FEE. Development Impact Fees, currently estimated in the amount of $148,650.51, shall be paid prior to the issuance of the related building permit or may be deferred in accordance with PAMC Section 16.64.030 with a lien on the property.
14. IMPACT FEE 90-DAY PROTEST PERIOD. California Government Code Section 66020 provides that a project applicant who desires to protest the fees, dedications, reservations, or other exactions imposed on a development project must initiate the protest at the time the development project is approved or conditionally approved or within ninety (90) days after the date that fees, dedications, reservations or exactions are imposed on the Project. Additionally, procedural requirements for protesting these development fees, dedications, reservations and exactions are set forth in Government Code Section 66020. IF YOU FAIL TO INITIATE A PROTEST WITHIN THE 90-DAY PERIOD OR FOLLOW THE PROTEST PROCEDURES DESCRIBED IN GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 66020, YOU WILL BE BARRED
FROM CHALLENGING THE VALIDITY OR REASONABLENESS OF THE FEES, DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, AND EXACTIONS. If these requirements constitute fees, taxes,
assessments, dedications, reservations, or other exactions as specified in Government Code Sections 66020(a) or 66021, this is to provide notification that, as of the date of this notice, the 90-day period has begun in which you may protest these requirements. This matter is subject to the California Code of Civil Procedures (CCP) Section 1094.5; the time by which judicial review must be sought is governed by CCP Section 1094.6.
15. PLANNING FINAL INSPECTION. A Planning Division Final inspection will be required to determine substantial compliance with the approved plans prior to the scheduling of a Building Division final. Any revisions during the building process must be approved by Planning, including but not limited to; materials, fenestration and hard surface locations.
Contact your Project Planner at the number below to schedule this inspection.
16. PERMIT EXPIRATION. The project approval shall be valid for a period of two years from the original date of approval. Application for a one-year extension of this entitlement may be made prior to expiration, by emailing Planning Support Staff at [email protected]. If a timely extension is not received, or the project has already received an extension and the applicant still wishes to pursue this project, they must first file for a new Planning application and pay the associated fees. This new application will be reviewed for conformance with the regulations in place at that time.
17. INDEMNITY. To the extent permitted by law, the Applicant shall indemnify and hold harmless the City, its City Council, its officers, employees and agents (the “indemnified parties”) from and against any claim, action, or proceeding brought by a third party against the indemnified parties and the applicant to attack, set aside or void, any permit or approval authorized hereby for the Project, including (without limitation) reimbursing the City for its actual attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in defense of the litigation. The City may, in its sole discretion, elect to defend any such action with attorneys of its own choice.
URBAN FORESTRY
18. For 30 unplanted 24" box replacement trees, an Urban Forestry in-lieu fee of $37,500 (at $1250/unplanted tree) will be invoiced at the building permit phase prior to permit issuance.
19. The applicant's proposed location of the SFR located nearest to Laurel Glen Drive and situated in a pre-existing clearing on the property constitutes the least environmentally impactful location for the structure with respect to tree removals.
20. The applicant must provide an updated Arborist report which references PAMC 8.10.092 and subsequently the applicable City and State regulations regarding defensible space in the wildland urban interface area to justify that proposed tree removals are in conformance with City of Palo Alto and State Fire Regulations and as reflected in zone 0 and zone 1 of the Fire Department Site Plan sheet A1.3 of the C3 submittal of permit 25PLN-00005.
21. The proposed fifteen coast live oak tree removals in zone 0 and zone 1 will be adequately replaced by planting 30 new 24" box trees and providing an in-lieu fee of 30 24" box trees at $1250 per tree to satisfy the no-net-loss of canopy requirement.
22. Show clearly on applicable sheets including site, demolition and grading plan, the locations of tree protection fencing and its reference on the legend.
23. The following conditions and/or standard Municipal Code requirements apply to all projects unless otherwise specified in project specific checklists or conditions of approval. Any applicable items shall be addressed in any permit application such as a Building Permit, Excavation and Grading Permit, Certificate of Compliance, Street Work Permit, Encroachment Permit, etc.
24. URBAN FORESTRY GENERAL. The following general tree preservation measures apply to all trees to be retained: No storage of material, topsoil, vehicles or equipment shall be permitted within the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ). The ground under and around the tree canopy area shall not be altered. No waste material or construction byproducts are allowed within the TPZ. Trees to be retained shall be irrigated, aerated, and maintained as necessary to ensure survival.
25. TREE DAMAGE. Tree Damage, Injury Mitigation, and Inspections apply to the Contractor.
Reporting, injury mitigation measures, and arborist inspection schedule may apply pursuant to TLTM, Section 5.03.6. Contractor shall be responsible for the repair or replacement of any publicly owned or protected trees that are damaged during the course of construction, pursuant to Title 8 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, and City of Palo Alto Tree and Landscape Technical Manual, Section 3.02.
26. TPZ EXCAVATION RESTRICTIONS APPLY - TLTM, Sec. 3.03.6 - B5,6. Any approved grading, digging, potholing, or trenching within the TPZ of a protected tree shall be performed using ‘air-spade’ method as a preference, with manual hand shovel as a backup. (TPZ= 10x the tree diameter at 54" above grade) For utility trenching, including sewer line, roots exposed with a diameter of 2 inches and greater shall remain intact and not be damaged. If directional boring method is used to tunnel beneath roots, then CPA Standard Detail #504 shall be printed on the final plans and the buffer distances in TLTM Table 3-4, Trenching and Tunneling Distance, shall be implemented by Contractor. Contractor must notify the Urban Forestry Section at (650) 496-5953 in advance of conducting any approved excavation within 10-feet of any street trees (or for any protected tree on EVSE projects). Urban Forestry may choose to monitor or review the work for compliance with the City’s Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) excavation standards.
27. TREE PROTECTION COMPLIANCE. The owner and contractor shall implement all protection and inspection schedule measures, design recommendations, and construction scheduling as stated in the Tree Preservation Report and/or T-1 Sheet Set and is subject to code
compliance action pursuant to PAMC 8.10.080. The required protective fencing shall remain in place until the final landscaping or Urban Forestry inspection of the project is completed.
28. NO NET LOSS OF CANOPY. In order to comply with the City’s no net loss of canopy policy (PAMC 8.10.055; Urban Forest Master Plan Goals 6.A, 6.B, & 6.C; Comprehensive Plan, Natural Environment Chapter Goal N-2) all trees 4 inches DBH and larger are subject to replacement to avoid a loss of canopy at the neighborhood level. Replacement ratios are determined by table 3-1 in the Tree and Landscape Technical Manual, Section 3.02. New landscape tree plantings (24 inch box or larger) count towards the replacement total.
Screening trees may also count toward the total depending on size and species selected. If unable to plant the required number of trees on site (our preferred solution) there is the option of paying in-lieu fees per each 24 inch box tree into the forestry fund. [Note: A replacement at ratio of 1:1 for trees listed as exempt species under PAMC 8.10.020 is recommended. Exempt trees may require full replacement on parcels zoned other than R1, RE, R-2, or RMD].
29. PLAN CHANGES. Revisions and/or changes to plans before or during construction shall be reviewed and responded to by the (a) project site arborist, or (b) landscape architect with written letter of acceptance before submitting the revision to Planning and Development Services Department for review by Planning, Public Works, or Urban Forestry.
30. PLAN SET REQUIREMENTS. The final Plans submitted for a building permit shall include the location, DBH, canopy drip-line, and TPZ of all trees 4 inches DBH or greater as well as the following information and notes on relevant plan sheets:
a. T-1 SHEET SET, The building permit plan set will include the City’s full-sized, T-1 Sheet Set (Tree Protection-it's Part of the Plan!), available on the Development Center website. A certified arborist shall complete and sign the Tree Disclosure Statement. b. TREE PRESERVATION REPORT (TPR), if indicated by Tree Disclosure Statement, All sheets of the Applicant’s TPR approved by the City for full implementation by Contractor, shall be printed on numbered T-1 Sheets (T-3, T-4, etc.) and added to the sheet index. c. TREE PROTECTION FENCING, The Plan Set (esp. site, demolition, grading & drainage, foundation, irrigation, tree disposition, utility sheets, etc.) must delineate/show the correct configuration of Type I, Type II or Type III fencing around each Protected Tree, using a bold dashed line enclosing the Tree Protection Zone (CPA Standard Detail #605).
UTL WGW ENGINEERING
The following comments are required to be addressed prior to any future related permit application such as a Building Permit, Excavation and Grading Permit, Certificate of Compliance, Street Work Permit, Encroachment Permit, etc. These comments are provided as a courtesy and are not required to be addressed prior to the Planning entitlement approval:
31. At building permit the applicant shall submit a completed water-gas-wastewater service connection application - load sheet for the City of Palo Alto Utilities. The applicant must provide all the information requested for utility service demands (water in fixture
units/g.p.m., gas in b.t.u.h, and sewer in fixture units/g.p.d.). The applicant shall provide the existing (prior) loads, the new loads, and the combined/total loads (the new loads plus any existing loads to remain).
32. At building permit the applicant shall submit improvement plans for utility construction.
The plans must show the size and location of all underground utilities within the development and the public right of way including meters, backflow preventers, fire service requirements, sewer mains, sewer cleanouts, sewer lift stations, and any other required utilities.
33. At building permit, the applicant must show on the site plan the existence of any auxiliary water supply, (i.e. water well, gray water, recycled water, rain catchment, water storage tank, etc).
34. The applicant shall be responsible for installing and upgrading the existing utility mains and/or services, laterals as necessary to handle anticipated peak loads. This responsibility includes all costs associated with the design and construction for the installation/upgrade of the utility mains and/or services/laterals.
35. An approved reduced pressure principle assembly (RPPA backflow preventer device) is required for all existing and new water connections from Palo Alto Utilities to comply with requirements of California administrative code, title 17, sections 7583 through 7605 inclusive. The RPPA shall be installed on the owner's property and directly behind the water meter within 5 feet of the property line. RPPA’s for domestic service shall be lead free. Show the location of the RPPA on the plans.
36. An approved reduced pressure detector assembly (RPDA backflow preventer device, STD.
WD-12A or STD. WD-12B) is required for all new fire service connections from Palo Alto Utilities to comply with requirements of California administrative code, title 17, sections 7583 through 7605 inclusive. The RPDA shall be installed on the owner's property and directly behind the City fire service, within 5’ (feet) of the property line or City Right of Way.
37. All backflow preventer devices shall be approved by the WGW engineering division.
Inspection by the city inspector is required for the supply pipe between the meter and the assembly.
38. The applicant shall pay the capacity fees and connection fees associated with new utility service/s or added demand on existing services. The approved relocation of services, meters, hydrants, or other facilities will be performed at the cost of the person/entity requesting the relocation.
39. If a new water service line installation for fire system usage is required, show the location of the new water service on the plans. The applicant shall provide to the engineering
department a copy of the plans for fire system including all fire department's requirements.
40. Each unit or building shall have its own water meter and gas meter shown on the plans.
Each parcel shall have its own water and gas service and sewer lateral connection shown on the plans.
41. All existing water, and gas. and wastewater services/laterals that will not be reused shall be abandoned at the main per the latest WGW utilities standards.
42. Utility vaults, transformers, utility cabinets, concrete bases, or other structures cannot be placed over existing water, gas, or wastewater mains/services. Maintain 2’ horizontal clear separation from the vault/cabinet/concrete base to existing utilities as found in the field. If there is a conflict with existing utilities, Cabinets/vaults/bases shall be relocated from the plan location as needed to meet field conditions.
43. Trees may not be planted within 10 feet of existing water, gas, and wastewater mains/laterals/water services/or meters unless otherwise approved by Waste-Gas-Water and Urban Forestry. New water or wastewater services/laterals/meters may not be installed within 10’ of existing trees unless otherwise approved by Waste-Gas-Water.
Maintain 10’ between new trees and new water and wastewater services/laterals/meters unless otherwise approved by Waste-Gas-Water.
UTL ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
44. On Sheet A1.2 the following items have to be addressed:
a. Electric trench is subject to change per CPAU requirements. b. Required number of conduits for trench to be determined by CPAU during estimate which begins after BLD approval and non-refundable advanced fee. c. Electric line will need to maintain required CPAU clearances and go around storm drainhttps://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/utilities/utilities- engineering/electrical/2.-electrical-requirements/1003-dt-ss-u-1003-rev-10.pdf d. Electric line will need to maintain required CPAU clearances and go around storm drainhttps://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/utilities/utilities- engineering/electrical/2.-electrical-requirements/1003-dt-ss-u-1003-rev-10.pdf e. Meter elevation drawing will need to be provided showing exact clearances on BLD submittal.
f. Review City of Palo Alto standard drawing SR-MT-E-1012. If the meter location is not compliant with current standards, it will not be energized.
BUILDING DIVISION
45. Submit a soil report at time of the building permit submittal.
46. All design plans and calculation shall meet the 2025 CA Building Standards Code as amended by the CITY. Include compliance to the 2025 CA Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
47. Refer to the latest building permit Submittal checklist for additional requirements.
PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING DIVISION
48. PUBLIC WORKS STANDARD CONDITIONS SHEET. The Department of Public Work’s full-sized "Standard Conditions" sheet shall be included in the improvement plans and the applicant shall comply with all conditions listed in the sheet. The sheet can be obtained from a staff member of Public Works Engineering Services or at the following link under “Public Works Plan Review Documents”: https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Public- Works/Engineering-Services/Forms-and-Permits
49. SIDEWALK, DRIVEWAY, CURB & GUTTER. The applicant shall meet with a Public Works inspector by calling 650-496-6929 to determine portions of sidewalk, curb, gutter, and driveway approaches that shall be replaced along the project frontage. These portions shall be indicated on the site improvement plans. In addition, a Site Inspection Directive sheet shall be completed, signed by the inspector, and scanned onto the plan set. The sheet can be obtained from a staff member of Public Works Engineering Services or at the following link: https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/public-works/engineering- services/webpages/forms-and-permits/other-guidelines/pwe-site-inspectiondirective_rev- 2021.pdf
50. DRIVEWAY APPROACHES. The applicant shall comply with all regulations in PAMC Chapter
12.08 for driveway approaches.
51. STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION SHEET. The City's full-sized "Pollution Prevention - It's Part of the Plan" sheet shall be included in the improvement plans. The sheet can be obtained from a staff member of Public Works Engineering Services or at the following link under “Public Works Plan Review Documents”: Forms and Permits – City of Palo Alto, CA
52. IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA WORKSHEET. The applicant shall fill out the Impervious Area Worksheet for Land Developments at the link below. The sheet shall be both emailed to [email protected] and included with the building permit submittal: impervious- area-worksheet-fillable.pdf
53. GRADING & DRAINAGE PLAN. The improvement plans shall be compliant with the “Grading & Drainage Guidelines for Residential Developments”. The sheet can be obtained from a staff member of Public Works Engineering Services or at the following link under “Public Works Plan Review Documents”: Forms and Permits – City of Palo Alto, CA
54. C.3 STORMWATER REGULATIONS. This project creates or replaces over 2,500 square feet of impervious surface area. The applicant shall implement one or more of the following site design measures on improvement plans:
Direct roof runoff into cisterns or rain barrels for reuse. Direct roof runoff onto vegetated areas.
Direct runoff from sidewalks, walkways, and/or patios onto vegetated areas. Direct runoff from driveways and/or uncovered parking lots onto vegetated areas. Construct sidewalks, walkways, and/or patios with permeable surfaces. Construct driveways, and/or uncovered parking lots with permeable surfaces.
55. STREETWORK PERMIT. All improvement plans shall include the following note adjacent to proposed work in the public right-of-way. “Any construction within the public right-of-way requires an approved Streetwork Permit from Public Works Engineering”.
56. DEMOLITION PLAN. The following note shall be placed adjacent to all affected trees on the Demolition Plan: “Excavation and trenching is restricted within the Tree Protection Zone (refer to T-1 Tree Protection Sheet) or as approved by the Urban Forestry Division at 650- 496-5953. Any changes shall be approved by the same”.
57. CONSTRUCTION STAGING. All improvement plans shall include the following note on the Site Plan and the Grading & Drainage Plan. “All construction materials and equipment shall be staged, stored, and stockpiled onsite and not on any public street”.
58. EXCAVATION & GRADING PERMIT. An Excavation and Grading Permit shall be obtained per PAMC Chapter 16.28 prior to building permit approval. The permit application and all required documents shall be submitted to Public Works Engineering. The application can be obtained from a member of Public Works Engineering Services or at the following link:
https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Engineering-Services/Forms-and- Permits
59. CIVIL ENGINEER CERTIFICATION. Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final completion of the work, applicant shall provide an as graded grading plan prepared by the civil engineer that includes original ground surface elevations, as-graded ground surface elevations, lot drainage patterns and locations and elevations of all surface and subsurface drainage facilities. The civil engineer shall certify that the work was done in accordance with the final approved grading plan (per PAMC 16.28.250).
60. SOILS ENGINEER CERTIFICATION. Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final completion of the work, applicant shall provide a soil grading report prepared by the soils engineer, including locations and elevation of field density tests, summaries of field and laboratory tests and other substantiating data, and comments on any changes made during grading and their effect on the recommendations made in the soils engineering investigation report. The soils engineer shall certify as to the adequacy of the site for the intended use (PAMC 16.28.250).
SECTION 6. Term of Approval.
Site and Design Approval. The project approval shall be valid for a period of two years from the original date of approval. In the event a building permit(s), if applicable, is not secured for the project within the time limit specified above, the approval shall expire and be
of no further force or effect. Application for extension of this entitlement may be made prior to the two year expiration.
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ ____________________________ Senior Assistant City Attorney Director of Planning and Development Services