HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2501-4069CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 17, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
9.PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 4335 and 4345 El Camino Real [24PLN-00153]:
Applicant’s Request for Approval of a Vesting Tentative Map to Allow for a Condominium
Subdivision to Create Eight Units on a 17,406 Square Foot Parcel and to Create 21 Units
on a 41,370 Square Foot Parcel to Facilitate Construction of 29 New Residential Units in
Five Buildings (24PLN-00152). CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA in Accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15332 (In-Fill Development). Public Comment
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: March 17, 2025
Report #:2501-4069
TITLE
PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 4335 and 4345 El Camino Real [24PLN-00153]: Applicant’s
Request for Approval of a Vesting Tentative Map to Allow for a Condominium Subdivision to
Create Eight Units on a 17,406 Square Foot Parcel and to Create 21 Units on a 41,370 Square
Foot Parcel to Facilitate Construction of 29 New Residential Units in Five Buildings (24PLN-
00152). CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15332
(In-Fill Development).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1. Consider the project exempt from CEQA in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section
15532 (in-fill) as documented in Attachment D; and
2. Approve the Vesting Tentative Map based on findings and subject to conditions of
approval in the Draft Record of Land Use Action (RLUA) in Attachment B.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The applicant requests approval of a Vesting Tentative Map to allow eight residential
condominium units on the existing, 17,406 square foot parcel located at 4335 El Camino Real,
and 21 residential condominium units on the existing, 41,370 square foot parcel located at
4345 El Camino Real, for a total of 29 condominium units.
Through a separate, Streamlined Housing Development Review Entitlement Process, the
applicant proposed, and the Director of Planning and Development Services (Director)
conditionally approved, construction of a 29-unit residential townhome project. Four units
would be provided at below market rate and made affordable to moderate income households
(80-120% of Area Median Income). The applicant would also pay in-lieu fees for the remaining
0.35 unit in in-lieu fees, resulting in a total commitment at 15% of the units.
BACKGROUND
The proposed project includes a request for approval of a Vesting Tentative Map to create eight
residential condominium units on the existing, 17,406 square foot parcel located at 4335 El
Camino Real, and 21 residential condominium units on the existing, 41,370 square foot parcel
located at 4345 El Camino Real, for a total of 29 condominium units. Approval of the map also
includes acceptance of proposed public utility easements and private streets on the parcel,
which are required per City of Palo Alto Utility and Public Works Engineering Department
standards, respectively. A location map is included in Attachment A. A link to the proposed
Vesting Tentative Map is included in Attachment C.
1 in accordance with the Streamlined Housing Development Review Process. The
project includes demolition of a commercial building located at 4335 El Camino Real, which
contained retail and personal service uses, and a motel located at 4345 El Camino Real.
•Vesting Tentative Map: The process for evaluating this type of application is set forth in
Title 21 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) and California Government Code 66474.
The process for approval of a Vesting Tentative Map for a condominium subdivision is
outlined in PAMC Sections 21.12.010 and 21.13.020. Vesting Tentative Maps require
Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) review and final decision by Council. The
PTC reviews whether the amended subdivision is consistent with the Subdivision Map
Act (in particular, Government Code 66474), Title 21 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan, and other applicable provisions of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code and State Law. The PTC’s recommendation is forwarded to the City
Council for final approval. In accordance with Title 21 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
all entitlements are required to be completed prior to approval of the Vesting Tentative
Map. In compliance with this requirement, the applicant’s request for Streamlined
Housing Development Review was conditionally approved on February 19, 2025.
1 Link to the September 19, 2024 ARB Staff Report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=13905, Video:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WEp4UeH1qhM?feature=share
ANALYSIS
The proposed project under consideration is the Vesting Tentative Map. The Director
conditionally approved the proposed site improvements associated with this condominium
subdivision. The map also includes dedication of relevant public utility easements associated
with the new site improvements.
Neighborhood Setting and Character
This property is located adjacent to the City boundaries with both the City of Mountain View to
the south and the City of Los Altos to the west. The property currently contains one- and two-
story commercial buildings, which contain retail and personal service uses (4335 El Camino
Real) and a hotel use (4345 El Camino Real). The 4345 El Camino Real site is directly adjacent to
a five-story apartment building located within the City of Mountain View and the 4333-4335
parcel is immediately adjacent a four-story hotel (Homewood Suites). Behind the project site
along Cesano Court is a condominium building and seven single-family homes located within
PC-3036. This PC project also established the current lot configuration on the subject property,
which is why the project plans refer to 4333-4335 El Camino Real as “parcel 1” and 4345 El
Camino Real as “parcel 3”. Across El Camino Real in Los Altos is a three-story hotel and a gas
station. The Los Altos City Council has approved demolition of the gas station and development
of a five-story multi-family complex.
Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, Area Plans, and Guidelines2
The proposed Vesting Tentative Map is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, in that the site
is designated as the “Commercial Service” land use designation, which allows for multi-family
residential uses. The site is also identified as a Housing Inventory Site in the Housing Element;
therefore, development of the site with multi-family residential use is appropriate and
consistent with the Housing Element, as discussed further below. The map facilitates the
redevelopment of a parcel within the City’s urban service area which is consistent Policy L-1.2
of the Comprehensive Plan. The associated development to be constructed on the lot would
add new residential units that contribute to the housing inventory including four affordable
housing units, consistent with Goal 2 of the Housing Element, which states, “assist in the
provision of safe, attainable, and sustainable housing, especially affordable housing, to meet
the needs of all economic segments of the community.” Consistencies with other
Comprehensive Plan policies are included in Attachment B.
Housing Element
Both 4335 and 4345 El Camino Real are Housing Inventory Sites (HIS) in the City’s adopted
Housing Element. The 4335 El Camino Real parcel has a projected capacity of 12 units where 8
units are proposed, and the 4345 El Camino Real parcel has a projected capacity of 31 units
where 21 units are proposed. This is a total of 14 units below the anticipated capacity for the
two sites combined. In preparing the Housing Element to meet the City’s required Regional
2 The Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan is available online: bit.ly/PACompPlan2030
Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 6,086 units, the City planned for and analyzed a buffer,
meaning that in identifying HIS, the City planned an additional 727 units to accommodate for
the fact that actual development of housing projects across the City are dependent on
numerous factors. Therefore, although the project does not build to the identified capacity for
the site, the project still proposes a housing development project on a HIS and includes four
inclusionary below market rate units on site, consistent with the City’s goals of providing
housing. The difference in the number of units between the 43 units identified in the housing
element and the 29 proposed is accounted for within the allotted buffer. Therefore, re-
designation of another HIS to accommodate this difference is not required. Staff continues to
monitor the housing element inventory and buffer to stay in compliance with state law.
3
3 The Palo Alto Zoning Code is available online: bit.ly/PAZoningCode
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Daily
Post on February 14, 2025, which is 12 days in advance of the meeting. Postcard mailing
occurred on February 12, 2025, which is 14 days in advance of the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
If you need assistance reviewing the above documents, please contact the Project Planner or call the Planner-on-Duty at
650-617-3117 or email planner@cityofpaloalto.org
Project Plans
In order to reduce paper consumption, a limited number of hard copy project plans are provided to
Council members for their review. The same plans are available to the public, at all hours of the day,
via the following online resources.
Directions to review Project plans and environmental documents online:
1. Go to: bit.ly/PApendingprojects
2. Scroll down to find “4345 El Camino” and click the address link
3. On this project-specific webpage you will find a link to the project plans and other important
information
Direct Link to Project Webpage:
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Current-
Planning/Projects/43334335-and-4345-El-Camino-Real
From:James Lloyd
To:Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Lauing, Ed; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Stone, Greer;
Veenker, Vicki
Cc:Clerk, City; City Attorney; City Mgr; PlannerOnDuty; Kallas, Emily
Subject:Public comment re item 9 for 3/17/25 Council meeting
Date:Friday, March 14, 2025 2:17:28 PM
Attachments:Palo Alto - 4335-4345 El Camino Real - HAA Letter - CC.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Palo Alto City Council,
The California Housing Defense Fund (“CalHDF”) submits the attached public comment regarding
item 9 for the 3/17/25 Council meeting, the proposed 29-unit housing development project at 4335-
4345 El Camino Real, which includes four units affordable to moderate-income households.
Sincerely,
James M. Lloyd
Director of Planning and Investigations
California Housing Defense Fund
james@calhdf.org
CalHDF is grant & donation funded
Donate today - https://calhdf.org/donate/
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This is their first mail to some recipients.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
Mar 14, 2025
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re: Proposed Housing Development Project at 4335-4345 El Camino Real
By email: city.council@cityofpaloalto.org; Pat.Burt@CityofPaloAlto.org;
Ed.Lauing@CityofPaloAlto.org; George.Lu@CityofPaloAlto.org;
Julie.LythcottHaims@CityofPaloAlto.org; Keith.Reckdahl@CityofPaloAlto.org;
Greer.Stone@CityofPaloAlto.org; Vicki.Veenker@CityofPaloAlto.org
Cc: city.clerk@CityofPaloAlto.org; city.attorney@cityofpaloalto.org;
CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org; Planner@CityofPaloAlto.org;
Emily.Kallas@CityofPaloAlto.org
Dear Palo Alto City Council,
The California Housing Defense Fund (“CalHDF”) submits this letter to remind the City of its
obligation to abide by the Housing Accountability Act (“HAA”) and California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines when evaluating the proposed 29-unit housing
development project at 4335-4345 El Camino Real, which includes four units affordable to
moderate-income households.
The HAA provides the project legal protections. It requires approval of zoning and general
plan compliant housing development projects unless findings can be made regarding
specific, objective, written health and safety hazards. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (j).) The
HAA also bars cities from imposing conditions on the approval of such projects that would
reduce the project’s density unless, again, such written findings are made. (Ibid.) As a
development with at least two-thirds of its area devoted to residential uses, the project falls
within the HAA’s ambit, and it complies with local zoning code and the City’s general plan.
The HAA’s protections therefore apply, and the City must not reject the project, except based
on health and safety standards, as outlined above.
Furthermore, the project is exempt from state environmental review under the Class 32
CEQA categorical exemption (In-Fill Development Projects) pursuant to section 15332 of the
CEQA Guidelines, as the project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation
360 Grand Ave #323, Oakland 94610
www.calhdf.org
and all applicable general plan policies as well as the applicable zoning designation and
regulations; the proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more
than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; the project site has no value as
habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; approval of the project would not result
in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and the site
can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. And recent caselaw
from the California Court of Appeal affirms that local governments err, and may be sued,
when they improperly refuse to grant a project a CEQA exemption or streamlined CEQA
review to which it is entitled. (Hilltop Group, Inc. v. County of San Diego (2024) 99 Cal.App.5th
890, 911.)
As you are well aware, California remains in the throes of a statewide crisis-level housing
shortage. New housing such as this is a public benefit: it will mitigate our housing crisis by
providing affordable housing; it will bring new customers to local businesses; and it will
reduce displacement of existing residents by reducing competition for existing housing.
While no one project will solve the statewide housing crisis, the proposed development is a
step in the right direction. CalHDF urges the City to approve it, consistent with its obligations
under state law.
CalHDF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission includes advocating for
increased access to housing for Californians at all income levels, including low-income
households. You may learn more about CalHDF at www.calhdf.org.
Sincerely,
Dylan Casey
CalHDF Executive Director
James M. Lloyd
CalHDF Director of Planning and Investigations
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