Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC)
2026-27 Work Plan Date Re commended by PTC August 12 , 202 6 Staff Liaison: Jennifer Armer, Assistant Director, Planning and Development Services (PDS) Lead Department: Planning and Development Services (PDS); Office of Transportation (OOT)
About the Commission The seven-member Planning & Transportation Commission adopted its 2025-26 work plan on July 8, 2026. The members and chairs are listed below. Members serve 4-year terms. See Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC) webpage link: http://www.paloalto.gov/gov/boards/ptc/default.asp Current Commissioners • Allen Akin
• Bryna Chang (Chair)
• Bart Hechtman
• Todd James
• Kevin Ji (Vice Chair)
• Cari Templeton
Mission Statement The Planning & Transportation Commission advises the City Council, Planning Director, and Chief Transportation Official on land use and transportation matters, including the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, transportation programs, and related matters. The Commission's primary responsibilities include:
• Preparing and making recommendations to the City Council on the City's Comprehensive Plan and applying the Comprehensive Plan to proposed development, public facilities, and transportation in Palo Alto; • Considering and making recommendations to the City Council on zoning map and zoning ordinance changes; any changes to Title 18 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code must be reviewed by the PTC and the City Council; • Reviewing and making recommendations to the City Council on subdivisions and Site and Design Reviews, on appeals on variances and use permits;
• Considering other policies and programs affecting development and land use in Palo Alto for final City Council action;
• Reviewing and making recommendations on individual projects as described in the Municipal Code, and Open Space development;
• Reviewing and making recommendations to the City Council on transportation, parking, and other related mobility issues; and
• Ensuring robust community engagement and dialogue regarding planning, land use, and transportation; and providing recommendations to the City Council regarding these matters and incorporating the public discussion. The PTC hearings provide a forum for public comment and public interaction.
Prior Year Work Plan On February 2, 2026, the City Council accepted the July 9, 2025, PTC recommended 2025-26 Work Plan:
https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/planning-amp-development-services/ptc/council-approved-ptc- 2025-26-work-plan.pdf
Prior Year
Accomplishments
During the period of the PTC 2025-26 Work Plan:
• The PTC's transportation efforts included study sessions and/or recommendations on: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update; Crescent Park Traffic Calming; South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity; SamTrans Grand Boulevard Initiative; and Palo Alto Link.
• The PTC's work on implementing the Comprehensive Plan, Housing Element, and Council Priorities included study sessions and/or recommendations on: Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan; Retail Code Amendments; Stream Corridor Protections; Bird Friendly Design Ordinance; Annual Review of Comprehensive Plan and Housing Element progress report; Housing Element Implementation including Program 6.5; Prohousing Designation application review; San Antonio Road Area Plan; Code Amendments for Special Setback, De Minimis Exceptions, and the “Shrink Wrap Rule”; and ADU regulations. • The PTC's work on development projects included review and recommendations on four Tentative Maps; two Conditional Use Permits; two Site and Design applications; a Planned Community (PC) amendment; and three Planned Home Zone (PHZ) applications.
PROJECT/GOAL 1: Area Planning: This goal carries forward the prior year goal for neighborhood planning approaches and overall effectiveness of various approaches to neighborhood planning including both land use and mobility. The staff and PTC will consider new neighborhoods that result from the 6th cycle Housing Element sites and demand for public facilities/services. This goal includes continued work on both the Downtown Housing Plan and the San Antonio Road Area Plan.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Development policy
recommendations and
preferred alternatives for the
new area plans enable City
Council to provide direction to
guide the City's future
development.
By June 2027 Staff time to research and
prepare staff reports and
conduct project coordination.
Consultant budgets have
already been allocated.
Successful conversation and
recommendations of policies
and preferred alternatives to
City Council, and initiation of
environmental review.
Yes – Council
assigned.
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Council directed work toward future area plans. N/A Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 2: Housing Program Implementation: The Housing Element was adopted by City Council on April 15, 2024, and certified by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on August 20, 2024. PTC will continue work on Housing Element implementation programs as scheduled within the Housing Element.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Complying with the
requirements of the adopted
Housing Element to encourage
housing development and
comply with State Law.
PTC and Council review of
a number of programs will
proceed over the work
plan year, as required by
the Housing Element.
Staff and consultant
resources employed.
Implementation of programs
by target dates.
Yes - State Mandated
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Program 3.9 (incentivizing multi-family as an alternative to commercial development); Program 4.2 (short term rentals); Program 6.3 (SB 9 unit standards); and Program 6.5
(supporting innovative housing types).
SOFA objective standards Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 3: State Law Implementation – Laws with Prior Effective Dates and any new 2026 Laws to Become Effective in 2027: The State adopts new laws every year, some like Senate Bill (SB) 79, required quick action through an interim ordinance during the last fiscal year, that will then require consideration and recommendation from PTC of a permanent ordinance, others will require modifications to maintain consistency with State law and Housing Element goals.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Provide clarity to property
owners and potential
developers.
Ordinance
Recommendation during
2026-27 work plan term.
Staff and consultant
assistance.
Adoption of ordinance
amendments.
Yes - State
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Implementing State laws and discuss policy considerations. N/A Possibly
PROJECT/GOAL 4: Parking Programs: The PTC will receive periodic updates regarding options for improving the City’s parking programs. Updates may include parking program activities, recent parking data, and upcoming parking policy efforts and program changes.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Improved parking operations. Ongoing. Staff resources. Feedback from PTC and continued engagement from
the public.
Yes
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
The staff work behind the project continues; proposed
updates help advance the work. Additionally, the PTC
welcomes opportunities to engage w/the public on this
topic.
This project represents a large body of ongoing work to manage parking supply and parking policy.
Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 5: Comprehensive Plan Policy Implementation: This includes changes in Title 18 and other Comp Plan policies that lead to Title 18 revisions.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Comprehensive Plan policies
and programs to completion.
As directed by Council. Staff and consultant
assistance – particularly
when staff resources will be
focused on implementation of
the Housing Element.
Adopted ordinances to amend
Title 18.
No
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A N/A Yes – Comprehensive
Plan
PROJECT/GOAL 6: Title 18 Updates: Considering and making recommendations to the City Council on any changes to Title 18 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code as directed by City Council, for example updates to the City’s Wireless Communications Facilities Ordinance.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Development of code
recommendations to support
City Council updates.
As directed by Council. Staff and consultant
resources would be identified
based on specific projects.
Wireless Ordinance update is
currently unresourced.
Adopted ordinances to amend
Title 18.
No
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A N/A Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 7: Project Review: The PTC will provide review as part of their regular ongoing responsibility for recommendations to City Council and staff on quasi-judicial development projects and transportation projects.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Public review of planning and
transportation projects.
Ongoing. Staff resources. Feedback from PTC and
continued engagement from
the public.
Yes
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A N/A Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 8: Comprehensive Plan Updates: The PTC will advise on updates of the Comprehensive Plan. This may include updates to individual Elements as required by State law and/or small updates that have been surfaced by the PTC.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Improved consistency between
the Comprehensive Plan and
current City priorities, like
reducing fire risk in the urban
wildland interface.
As directed by Council. Staff and consultant
resources would be identified
based on specific updates.
These are currently
unresourced.
Determine extent to which
plan needs to be updated,
timeline, and activities for
completion.
Yes
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
Safety Element Natural Environment Element, Initiate Comprehensive Plan Update
Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 9: Improve PTC Processes and Scope: Investigate and implement improvements in PTC processes, including but not limited to technology use and communication with Council, other boards, staff, and the public.
Beneficial Impacts Timeline Resources Needed Measure Of Success State Mandated/ Local Law/ Council
Approved
Faster applicant progress
through PTC reviews, reduced
load on Council and staff.
As directed by Council. Staff resources and budget
would be identified based on
specific efforts. These are
currently unresourced.
Reduction in average amount
of time per project review or
agenda item, in total over PTC
and Council (for items
involving PTC).
No
High Priority Lower Priority Council-Directed
Policy Update
N/A N/A No