HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2502-4182CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, May 05, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
10.Approval of Amendment and Extension of Supplement Agreement No.1 to the Master
Funding Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission, to Prepare a Downtown Housing Plan for the City of Palo Alto. CEQA
Status: Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15262.
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: May 5, 2025
Report #:2502-4182
TITLE
Approval of Amendment and Extension of Supplement Agreement No.1 to the Master Funding
Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, to
Prepare a Downtown Housing Plan for the City of Palo Alto. CEQA Status: Exempt Under CEQA
Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15262.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the
amendment and the extension of Supplement Agreement No.1 to the Master Funding
Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
(MTC) (Attachment A) to prepare the Downtown Housing Plan.
BACKGROUND
On May 14, 2021, MTC awarded the City an $800,000 grant for the preparation of a Housing
Plan. The scope of the project was refined in collaboration with MTC prior to executing
Supplement Agreement No. 1 of the Master Funding Agreement. The City Council accepted the
grant and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement with MTC for the $800,000 to
develop the Downtown Housing Plan.
This agreement set a three-year deadline for grant funding, requiring the City to adopt the Plan
by April 30, 2025, to qualify for reimbursement. However, the project was delayed due to
unforeseen circumstances and officially began in March 2024, after staff finalized consultant
agreements with Wallace Roberts and Todd, LLC, and the Good City Company.1
The Downtown Housing Plan focuses on housing production in the Downtown, identifying
development standards, design standards, and the necessary public infrastructure
1 City Council Meeting: February 26, 2024
improvements to accelerate housing production; realizing racial and economic equity by
affirmatively furthering fair housing, as required by the grant.
ANALYSIS
The project team is currently working on the community assessment report, evaluating the
development guidelines and the challenges to increasing housing production in the area. With
the original deadline (April 30, 2025) to project completion fast approaching, the delay in
project initiation requires extending the timeline of the project by another two years (April 30,
2027). Staff coordinated with MTC on the extension of the deadline and also requested
amending the agreement for consistency with the contract scope of work that is currently being
performed by the project consultants. MTC approved the request for extension on December
18, 2024, and reviewed the modified scope of work requested by staff.
Additionally, staff also requested reallocation of the assigned budget within tasks and existing
scope of work mentioned in the Supplement Agreement No. 1 of the Master Funding
Agreement that was authorized by the Council in April 2022. The reallocation would provide an
additional $50,000 for Task 1: Project Management and reduce the budget on Task 4:
Downtown Housing Plan Preparation from $150,000 to $100,000. The reallocation however
will not impact the expected deliverables.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The City’s Comprehensive Plan Policies L-2.4, L-4.7, and L-4.8 and the Housing Element’s
Implementation Program 1.4: City-Owned Land Lots and Downtown Housing Plan are specific to
the downtown area; guiding the development of the Housing Plan and its objectives. The
adopted Downtown Housing Plan will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, specifically
the Land Use and Housing Elements.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The extension of project timeline with MTC has no impact on the already approved project
budget and requires no additional funding beyond what has already been allocated by the
Council. However, if the extension is not approved then the project would not be completed by
the April 30, 2025, deadline, and the City will not be able to claim reimbursement for
incomplete tasks and may forfeit unclaimed grant money potentially burdening the general
fund to complete the project.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The project team understands that Community Engagement is the key to the success of the
planning effort, in addition to the technical, design, and expertise provided by qualified
consultants funded by the grant. There have been significant efforts from the project team to
engage the resident community including a dedicated webpage, social media announcements,
formation of the Community Advisory Group (CAG), a Technical Advisory Group (TAG),
conducting stakeholder interviews, Community Open House, survey, and pop-ups including
tabling at City events and Farmers Markets.
The project team in the last year has:
•Organized a Community Open House on October 10, 2024, at the Community Meeting
Room, City Hall, and pop-ups at various City events and at Farmers Markets. The Open
House and the events were well attended by members of the community who provided
the project team with insight into the key challenges and opportunities of the
Downtown Area.
•Facilitated a community survey soliciting input from residents was live from November
18, 2024, through December 20, 2024. Approximately 406 responses were received, and
the results are being consolidated by the project team. It will be included in the
Community Assessment Report that the project team is working on.
•Convened the first CAG meeting on January 14, 2025, introducing the members of the
CAG to one-another and the project team, defining the scope of the Plan, roles, and
responsibilities as members of the CAG, and seeking feedback and assistance in
engaging with the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The actions recommended in this report are exempt from review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15262
because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that amending a project
timeline would have significant impact on the environment. The City will prepare an
environmental analysis for the Downtown Housing Plan when more project specifics have been
identified.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Revised Supplement Agreement No. 1
APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director
AMENDMENT NO. 1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 1
To MASTER FUNDING AGREEMENT
Between METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
And CITY OF PALO ALTO
For UNIVERSITY AVE/ DOWNTOWN PDA PLAN
THIS AMENDMENT, effective as of February 19, 2025 is Amendment No. 1 to Supplement
No. 1 to the Master Agreement by and between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission ("MTC")
and City of Palo Alto (“AGENCY”), dated February 17, 2022 (“Agreement”).
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree to modify the subject Agreement as follows:
1. Paragraph 3 is revised to extend the term from April 30, 2025 to April 30, 2027.
2. Annex I, Project Description and Scope of Work is deleted in its entirety and replaced
with Annex I, Project Description and Scope of work (as revised via Amendment No. 1)
3. Annex II, Project Budget and Schedule is deleted in its entirety and replaced with Annex
II, Project Budget and Schedule (as revised via Amendment No. 1).
4. Retention of Contract Provisions. Except as provided herein, all other terms and
conditions of the Agreement remain unchanged.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed by the parties hereto as of the
day and year first written above.
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Andrew B. Fremier
Executive Director
Date
Ed Shikada
City Manager
Date
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 2
ANNEX I
Project Description and Scope of Work
City of Palo Alto University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
(as revised via Amendment No. 1)
Project Description:
In May 2021, MTC awarded the City of Palo Alto with a PDA Planning Grant to complete their
proposed University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan. Renamed to the Downtown Housing Plan (Housing
Plan), the plan will realize opportunities to add housing units to downtown Palo Alto. The area is a local
activity center, a regional job center, and, due to proximity to Stanford University and global companies,
an international destination.
Despite these strengths, Palo Alto faces challenges to realizing housing in the downtown.
Land costs are high and offices are more profitable than housing. Creating housing
near transportation hubs that is affordable in one of our highest land value areas in the
city—and highest value in the nation—is an incredible challenge. The area is attractive as
an employment center due to proximity to Stanford, Caltrain, and the clout companies
seek by having a Palo Alto address. These factors drive up land values in this mixed-use
area and offices provide a greater return on investment than housing, leading to more
office development than housing.
Insufficient bike and pedestrian infrastructure can lead to greater car use. Improving
bike and pedestrian mobility to and through downtown can decrease car use. Though
located near the busiest Caltrain station, it can be challenging for visitors to find their way
on foot to key destinations in the downtown. Likewise, the bike infrastructure does not
maximize safety and comfort of cyclists. These connections are critical to building new
homes without creating the need for more individual car ownership.
Public parking is a high value and uses significant amounts of public land. Significant
public land holdings in downtown include a series of surface parking lots and parking
garages. The parking spaces support local retailers, employers, and others who park in the
facilities to enjoy downtown. Figuring out how to ensure the public land provides co-
benefits such as parking and housing is critical to ensuring housing does not come at the
expense of economic vitality.
Reliance on external consumer base. The pandemic illustrated the challenges of relying
on an external work force and student population to support downtown retailers. Through
increasing the downtown population, Palo Alto can build greater resiliency by decreasing
reliance on out-of- towners to support local retailers.
Through a focused and thoughtful Downtown Housing Plan, the City can overcome these
challenges, accentuate its strengths, and meet the changing needs of downtown stakeholders.
In concert with and building upon the City’s Housing Element update process, the Downtown
Housing Plan will identify the development standards, design standards, and public
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 3
infrastructure necessary to produce significant housing downtown. The Housing Plan will also
help realize racial and economic equity by affirmatively furthering fair housing.
The Downtown Housing Plan will build on City initiatives underway, including:
A. Housing Element Update, led by Planning and Development Services
B. University Avenue Corridor Streetscape Design initiative led by the Public Works Department
C. Sustainability and Climate Action Plan update process led by the Office of Sustainability
D. Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment process led by the Public Works Department
E. Parking management and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) studies led by the Office of
Transportation
F. Citywide Bicycle + Pedestrian Plan update process led by the Office of Transportation
G. Housing Objective Development Standards initiative led by the Planning and
Development Services Department
H. Green Infrastructure policy initiative led by the Public Works Watershed Protection group
Housing Plan preparation requires extensive community and business outreach and participation,
including facilitation of a Community Advisory Group. Housing Plan preparation also involves
coordination with regional and local stakeholders, such as housing advocates, business leaders,
the County, Stanford University, Caltrans, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA),
Palo Alto Unified School District, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Activities and deliverables for the Housing Plan include:
Community outreach and participation
Basic economic and real estate modeling to understand development feasibility,
opportunities, and constraints Fiscal impact analysis of development on City infrastructure and services
Incorporation of state and local VMT and mobility requirements
Incorporation of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan goals and policies
Inclusion of equity assessment results and affordable housing protection,
preservation, and production assessment results from the Housing Element update process
Draft and Final Housing Plan with land use designations and proposed Capital
Improvement Projects
Proposed Comprehensive Plan (General Plan) amendments and zoning updates
A California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental document
Downtown Housing Plan Geographic Area:
A sub-area of the University Avenue/Downtown Priority Development Area (PDA), the
Downtown Housing Plan area will include the following as its geographic focus:
From east of the Caltrain tracks and Alma Street east to Tasso Street,
From Forest Avenue north to Everett Avenue, and
City parking lots, Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) parking lots, and
public rights of way.
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 4
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 5
Downtown Housing Plan Scope of Work:
Task 1 – Project Management and Coordination
This task outlines the primary project management and coordination tasks necessary for the
Downtown Housing Plan. These tasks will be conducted throughout the Plan preparation process.
Task 1.1 – City Inter-Departmental Coordination
Task 1.2 – Project Set-up and Administration
Task 1.3 – Community Meeting and Public Hearing Preparation
Task 1.4 – Communications, Website, and Media Coordination
Task 1.1 Deliverable: Memos for City Inter-Departmental Coordination
Task 1.2 Deliverable: Memos for Consultant Management
Task 1.3 Deliverable: Memos for Community Meeting and Public Hearing Preparation
Task 1.4 Deliverable: Memos for Communications, Website, and Media Coordination
Task 2 – Community Outreach and Engagement
This task outlines the primary community outreach and engagement for the Downtown Housing
Plan. These activities will be active throughout the Housing Plan preparation process.
Task 2.1 - Community Outreach and Engagement Strategy Development
This task encompasses staff/consultant preparation of the Downtown Housing Plan
community outreach and engagement strategy. Throughout the Housing Plan process, it is
central to gather meaningful input from a full range of stakeholders within and nearby to
the planning area, including residents of all incomes, races and ethnic backgrounds,
employees of local businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, and public
agencies providing services in the area. This task will include laying out the specific
engagement meetings, outreach channels, and methods listed in tasks 2.2 through 2.5.
Equity assessment information from the Housing Element process will inform the
Community Outreach and Engagement Strategy.
Task 2.1 Deliverable: Staff Report and Final Consultant Contract
Task 2.2 - Community Advisory Group Meetings (up to 18 meetings)
This task encompasses convening of a Community Advisory Group that will shape the
Downtown Housing Plan and review draft plan materials. Staff plan to hold up-to 6
Advisory Group meetings during the planning process. Staff anticipate the City will
solicit applications and the Council will select a group that is representative of residents,
housing developers, local businesses, community-based organizations, service providers,
and other stakeholders.
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 6
Task 2.2 Deliverables: Presentations, Agendas, Staff Reports or Memos for Community
Advisory Group Meetings
Task 2.3 - Technical Advisory Group Meetings (6 – 10 meetings)
This task encompasses convening of a technical advisory group that will shape the
Downtown Housing Plan. The Technical Advisory Group will provide detailed technical
input throughout the Plan process and help ensure alignment between this plan and other
local and regional planning efforts. The composition would include staff from key City
departments, the ABAG/MTC grant manager, as well as representatives of local, county,
and regional agencies, and service providers.
Task 2.3 Deliverables: Presentations, Agendas, Staff Reports or Memos for Technical
Advisory Group Meetings
Task 2.4 – Stakeholder Interviews, Community Surveys, and Service Workers Engagement
Direct outreach through stakeholder interviews, community surveys, and service workers
engagement to receive information for and feedback on the deliverables from Task 3.2
Key Community Assessment and Policy Development Focus Areas.
Task 2.4 Deliverable: Interviews
Task 2.4 Deliverable: Surveys
Task 2.4 Deliverable: Analysis and Synthesis of Interview and Survey Data
Task 2.5 - Community Workshops, Design Charettes, Pop-ups, and Digital Engagement (at least 3
meetings)
This task includes direct outreach through both in-person and virtual workshops,
charettes, pop-ups, and other meetings to receive information for and feedback on the
deliverables from Task 3.2 Key Community Assessment and Policy Development Focus
Areas. Key topics will include housing, mobility, advancing racial and economic equity,
design preferences, and other topics. Translation services would be provided, as well as
childcare if the meetings are in person.
Task 2.5 Deliverables: Staff Reports, Memos and/or Presentation Materials for
Community Visioning Workshops, Pop-ups, and Design Charettes.
Task 2.6 – Downtown Housing Plan Website or Webpage
The team will maintain a webpage or a website for the Housing Plan process to inform
the public and stakeholders on progress, centralize project records, upcoming activities,
and to host online engagement activities. The website or webpage will support Task 2,
Task 3, and Task 4.
Task 2.6 Deliverables: Create and Maintain Website or Webpage with Ongoing Updates
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 7
Task 3 – Community Assessment and Policy Development
This task focuses on identifying and analyzing challenges and opportunities to increase housing
development downtown. As discussed in the project description, the central challenges include:
Land costs are high, and office is more profitable than housing.
Insufficient bike and pedestrian infrastructure can promote car use.
Public parking is a high value and uses significant amounts of public land.
Reliance on external consumer base.
Task 3.1 – Community Assessment and Policy Development Strategy
This task encompasses staff release of a request for proposals for Housing Plan preparation,
review of proposals, and consultant selection. We would seek proposals from consultants
with expertise in community engagement, housing/comprehensive planning, urban
design and economic/real estate analysis. This task results in the inclusion of a refined
selected consultant scope of work to complete the project and a report to inform the
community of a policy development strategy to achieve the Housing Plan goals.
Task 3.1 Deliverable: Staff Report and Final Consultant Contract
Task 3.2 – Key Community Assessment and Policy Development Focus Areas
This task outlines the primary analysis and reports necessary for identifying and
analyzing the Housing Plan area central opportunities and challenges, as well as for meeting
the PDA Planning
Grant analysis requirements. These analyses will inform and become part of the chapters
contained within the Housing Plan.
Task 3.2.1 – Equity Analysis, Assessment, and Policy Recommendations
This task will identify any existing inequities between people of different racial
or ethnic backgrounds, genders, age groups, abilities, or sexual orientation, as
well as the historic and recent factors and policies that contribute to these
inequities. This task will utilize this information to develop policies to address
existing inequities, as well as to inform the meetings and outreach efforts
discussed in Task 2 and inform the deliverable for Task 3.2.2. This task
integrates and builds upon the findings from the Housing Element update process
and informs understanding of community needs around equity in the Housing Plan
area. That information will include area specific information on demographics,
economic opportunity and stability, housing stability, health and risk factors of
residents and employees of businesses in the plan area and surrounding
community.
Task 3.2.1 Deliverable: (1) Equity Analysis, Assessment, and Policy
Recommendation Report or Memo (2) City Council Study Session
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 8
Task 3.2.2 – Responsiveness to State, Regional, and Local Legal and Regulatory
Landscape for Housing Production, Preservation, and Protection Policy
Recommendations
This task involves investigating and summarizing state, regional, and the local
policies used by other jurisdictions that influence the regulatory landscape for
housing production, preservation, and protection.
Task 3.2.2 Deliverable: (1) State, Regional, and Local Legal and Regulatory
Landscape Analysis, Assessment, and Policy Recommendation Report or Memo
(2) City Council Study Session
Task 3.2.3 – Affordable Housing and Jobs Analysis, Assessment and Policy
Recommendations This task identifies the composition of jobs in the Housing
Plan area and evaluates the affordability of housing compared to the wages of
employees in these jobs. This task quantifies housing need, establishes the
housing profile for the area, (deed-restricted affordable housing, unsubsidized
affordable housing, market-rate housing, informal housing and accessibility, etc.),
establishes the employment/industry profile for the area, identifies the development
pipeline, assesses real estate conditions and constraints, and assesses local policy
conditions and constraints. This task will discuss obstacles to delivery of housing
for all income levels and responsive policies. This task will be closely
coordinated with the Housing Element update process that is already underway.
This task integrates and builds upon the findings from Task 3.2.2, as well as the
Housing Element update process. This task informs understanding of community
needs regarding housing and employment, including how to affirmatively further
fair housing in the plan area. This task draws upon the information from Task
3.2.1 and identifies in greater detail the characteristics of the existing and planned
housing stock in the plan area and surrounding area, as well as projected short-
and long-term need.
Task 3.2.3 Deliverable: (1) Affordable Housing and Jobs Analysis, Assessment,
and Policy Recommendation Report or Memo (2) City Council Study Session
Task 3.2.4 – Housing Development Implementation, Economic Feasibility, and
Financing Analysis and Policy Recommendations
While housing in the Downtown area is attractive, high land costs, constrained
parcel sizes, competition with other land uses, and other constraints significantly
influence housing yield. This task focuses on a housing development feasibility
analysis to identify the development standards, incentives, and the associated
remaining amount of subsidy necessary to yield more residential and mixed-use
developments specifically in the Housing Plan area. This task integrates and builds
upon the findings from Task 3.2.2, Task 3.2.3 and the Housing Element update
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 9
process. This task will analyze the housing opportunity sites identified in the
Housing Element Update to understand what is required for housing to be
realized on these sites.
The analysis will investigate publicly owned and privately owned parcels at
various levels of housing affordability. The analysis will identify funding
necessary to rehabilitate existing affordable units in the area, thereby preserving
and protecting them. Like efforts undertaken by MTC and ABAG, the analysis
will identify the funding shortfall that limits the level of affordable housing
production and rehabilitation in the Housing Plan area.
This task will include recommendations for City actions to help finance
affordable housing, such as consideration of publicly owned parking lots or other
publicly owned parcels for housing and mixed-use projects, consideration of
different types of partnerships with developers, facilitation of land assembly
policies, consideration of establishing a business tax to support the Housing Trust
Fund, and consideration of a bond measure.
Task 3.2.4 Deliverable: (1) Housing Development Implementation, Economic
Feasibility, Financing Analysis, and Policy Recommendation Report or Memo
(2) City Council Study Session
Task 3.2.5 – Resilience and Climate Adaptation Analysis, Assessment and Policy
Recommendations
This task assesses the relative vulnerability of the plan area and surrounding
communities to natural hazards (examples: sea level rise and flooding, seismic
factors) and to environmental quality (examples: air quality, tree canopy/green
space, water quality, environmental contamination). This task identifies potential
investments, policies or programs to better adapt the community to these
vulnerabilities and poise the community to respond to future conditions and
events. This task integrates and builds upon the Sustainability and Climate Action
Plan led by the Office of Sustainability and the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability
Assessment led by the Public Works Department.
Task 3.2.5 Deliverable: (1) Resilience and Climate Adaptation Analysis,
Assessment, and Policy Recommendation Report or Memo (2) City Council
Study Session
Task 3.2.6 – Community Assets, Services, and Infrastructure Analysis, Assessment,
and Policy Recommendations
This task identifies the existing availability of essential services and social
infrastructure (examples: health care, food and sundries, childcare and education,
open space and recreation, community facilities, etc.), existing physical
infrastructure (examples: energy, waste, water, electric vehicle charging,
broadband, etc.), and existing community assets (examples: formal and informal
gathering spaces, cultural institutions, etc.) in the plan area. This task will assess
the stability of existing and identify currently missing community assets, services,
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 10
and infrastructure, as well as identify potential investments, policies or programs
to policies to support them in the Housing Plan area. This analysis will focus on
the needed assets to support an increased downtown population.
Task 3.2.6 Deliverable: (1) Community Assets, Services, and Infrastructure
Analysis, Assessment, and Policy Recommendation Report or Memo (2) City
Council Study Session
Task 3.2.7 – Mobility and Interconnectivity Analysis, Assessment, and Policy
Recommendations This task will assess trip patterns, the quality and relative
safety of travel by active modes and for persons with disabilities, access to transit
and essential services, and vehicle miles traveled for residents and employees of
local businesses within and adjacent to the Housing Plan area. This task will
identify potential investments, policies or programs to improve mobility and
interconnectivity, as well as reduce Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT).
This task integrates and builds upon Public Works Department and Office of
Transportation efforts, including the University Avenue Corridor Street Design,
Citywide Bicycle + Pedestrian Plan update, parking management, and VMT
policy making.
Task 3.2.7 Deliverable: (1) Mobility and Interconnectivity Analysis,
Assessment, and Policy Recommendation Report or Memo (2) City Council
Study Session
Task 3.2.8 – Downtown Private Realm and Public Realm Design Guidelines,
Architectural Review Findings, and Objective Standards for Housing Development
Policy Recommendations
This task evaluates the City’s current Downtown Design Guidelines,
Architectural Review Findings, and Objective Standards for Housing Development
to assess which aspects could be updated to facilitate housing development in the
Downtown Housing Plan area. Private realm considerations include design
gestures that contribute to a strong sense of place, such as building massing,
lighting, landscaping, and building interfaces with public realm such as streets,
alleys, and open space. Considerations include building on previous efforts that
maintained view corridors, activity focal points, and a human scale orientation
throughout downtown. Considerations also include urban design that addresses
the anticipated greater diversity of building forms, densities, height, and mixed-
use development for the Housing Plan area. This effort will draw on city-wide
Objective Design Standards as well as Housing Element discussions regarding
form.
Led by the Office of Transportation and the Public Works Watershed Protection
group, public realm considerations include a Sustainable Streets focus that
identifies the key remaining steps necessary to implement vision zero policies,
complete street designs, versatile use of the public right of way, and green streets
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 11
infrastructure designs within the Housing Plan area. Public realm considerations
also reference innovations in parking management and curb management.
Task 3.2.8 Deliverable: (1) Downtown Private Realm and Public Realm Design
Guidelines, Architectural Review Findings, and Objective Standards for Housing
Development Policy Recommendations Report or Memo (2) City Council Study
Session
Task 3.2.9 – Downtown Visioning, Opportunities/Constraints, Identification of
Community Best Practices and Housing Plan Approach Recommendations
This task integrates all other subtasks and discusses the options for meeting the
Housing Plan area central challenges based upon the information surfaced during
this Community Assessment and Policy Development effort.
Task 3.2.9 Deliverable: (1) Downtown Visioning, Opportunities/Constraints,
Identification of Community Best Practices and Housing Plan Approach
Recommendations Report or Memo (2) City Council Study Session
Task 4 –Downtown Housing Plan Documents
This overall task outlines the primary documents necessary for adoption of the Downtown Housing
Plan, as well as the documents necessary to meet the PDA Planning Grant requirements.
Task 4.1 – Downtown Housing Plan Preparation
This task outlines the steps necessary to prepare the Downtown Housing Plan.
Task 4.1.1 – Housing Plan Sections and Topic Outline
This task results in the outline of the Housing Plan sections and topics. As
required by the PDA Planning Grant, the outline can be organized differently, but
will include at least the following topics: introduction, vision, development
standards, open space, mobility, community assets and infrastructure, and
implementation and financing. This report will integrate the content and
deliverables from the prior tasks.
Task 4.1.1 Deliverable: Housing Plan Sections and Topic Outline
Task 4.1.2 – Housing Plan Administrative Draft 1
Task 4.1.2 Deliverable: Master Plan Administrative Draft 1
Task 4.1.3 – Housing Plan Community Advisory Group and Technical Advisory
Group Draft 1 Task 4.1.3 Deliverable: Housing Plan Community Advisory
Group and Technical Advisory Group Draft 1
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 12
Task 4.1.4 - Housing Plan Administrative Draft 2
Task 4.1.4 Deliverable: Housing Plan Administrative Draft 2
Task 4.1.5 - Housing Plan Public Hearing Draft 1
Task 4.1.5 Deliverable: Housing Plan Public Hearing Draft 1
Task 4.1.6 – Housing Plan Final
Task 4.1.6 Deliverable: Housing Plan Public Final
Task 4.2 – Downtown Housing Plan California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Environmental Document
This task outlines the steps necessary to prepare the CEQA Environmental Document necessary
for the Downtown Housing Plan. The goal of this task is to prepare the correct CEQA document
that will clear projects that are consistent with the Housing Plan, avoiding the need for project-
level analyses.
Task 4.2.1 – Notice of Preparation (NOP)/Initial Study
Task 4.2.1 Deliverable: Notice of Preparation (NOP)/Initial Study
Task 4.2.2 - Identification of Appropriate CEQA Environmental Document
This task identifies the appropriate CEQA Environmental Document, likely an
Initial Study/Negative Declaration, Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration,
Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, or a Programmatic Environmental
Impact Report.
Task 4.2.1 Deliverable: City Internal Memo
Task 4.2.3 – Environmental Document Notices and Preparation
This task outlines the steps for completing CEQA documentation for the
Downtown Housing Plan.
Task 4.2.3A – Scoping Meeting (If Applicable)
Task 4.2.3A Deliverable: Staff Report, Noticing, and Scoping Meeting
Task 4.2.3B – Administrative Draft CEQA Environmental Document
Task 4.2.3B Deliverable: Administrative Draft CEQA Environmental Document
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 13
Task 4.2.3C –Draft CEQA Environmental Document
Task 4.2.3C Deliverable: Draft CEQA Environmental Document
Task 4.2.3D – Notice of Completion (NOC)
Task 4.2.3D Deliverable: Notice of Completion (NOC)
Task 4.2.3E – Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
(If Applicable) Task 4.2.3E Deliverable: Final Environmental
Impact Report (FEIR)
Task 4.2.3F – Notice of Determination (NOD)
Task 4.2.3F Deliverable: Notice of Determination (NOD)
Task 4.3 – Downtown Housing Plan Adoption, CEQA Environmental Document
Certification, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Municipal Code Update
This task outlines the steps necessary to adopt the Downtown Housing Plan.
Task 4.3.1 – Public Hearings (Updates and Coordination)
This task pertains to public hearings with City Council and other boards and
commissions to provide updates and coordination on the Housing Plan process.
Three to five public hearings are anticipated with each body (i.e. City Council,
Planning and Transportation Commission, Architectural Review Board).
Task 4.3.1 Deliverables: Staff Reports and associated presentations
Task 4.3.2 – Public Hearings (Adoption)
This task pertains to public hearings with City Council and other boards and
commissions necessary to certify the CEQA Environmental Document and adopt
the Housing Plan. At least four public hearings are anticipated.
Task 4.3.2 Deliverables: Staff Reports and associated presentations
Task 4.3.3 – CEQA Environmental Document Certification or Adoption
Task 4.3. 3 Deliverable: Document Certification/Adoption Resolution
Task 4.3.4 - Housing Plan Adoption
Task 4.3.4 Deliverable: Housing Plan Adoption Resolution
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 14
ANNEX II
PROJECT BUDGET AND SCHEDULE
REIMBURSEMENT
(as revised via Amendment No. 1)
MTC shall reimburse AGENCY in estimated amounts by task indicated below. Budget may be
reallocated between tasks in the MTC Project Manager’s discretion. Payment shall be due upon
acceptance by the MTC Project Manager. AGENCY shall submit an invoice identifying the project
deliverable or milestone for which payment is sought no later than thirty (30) days after MTC's
acceptance of such deliverable/milestone. Final invoice shall be submitted no later than 30 days after
the end date of the supplement.
DELIVERABLE MTC
REIMBURSEMENT
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
Task 1 – Project Management and
Coordination $100,000
Ongoing. Due
completion
04/30/2027
1.1 City Inter-Departmental Coordination and
weekly check-in meetings
Memos
4/30/2027
1.2 Project Set-up and Administration
Memos 04/30/2024
1.3 Community Meeting and Public Hearing
Preparation
Memos
04/30/2027
1.4 Communications, Website, and Media
Coordination
Memos
04/30/2027
Task 2 – Community Outreach and
Engagement $200,000 04/30/2027
2.1 Community Outreach and Engagement
Strategy Development
Staff Report and Final Consultant
Contract
04/30/2025
2.2 Community Advisory Group Meetings
Presentations, Agendas, Staff Reports or
Memos for Community Advisory Group
Meetings
08/31/2026
2.3 Technical Advisory Group Meetings 10/30/2026
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 15
Presentations, Agendas, Staff Reports or
Memos for Technical Advisory Group
Meetings
2.4 Stakeholder Interviews, Community Surveys,
and Service Workers Engagement
Interviews
Surveys
Analysis and Synthesis of Interview and
Survey Data
06/24/2026
2.5 Community Visioning Workshops, Design
Charettes, Pop-ups, and/ or Feedback Meetings
Staff Reports, Memos and/or Presentation
Materials for Community Visioning
Workshops, and Design Charettes
06/24/2026
2.6 Downtown Housing Plan Website
Create and Maintain Website or Webpage
with Ongoing Updates
04/30/2027
Task 3 – Community Assessment and Policy
Development $400,000 02/25/2026
3.1 Community Assessment and Policy
Development Strategy Preparation
Staff Report and Final Consultant
Contract
01/08/2025
3.2 Key Community Assessment and Policy
Development Focus Areas
Equity Analysis, Assessment, and Policy
Recommendation Report or Memo
State, Regional, and Local Legal and
Regulatory Landscape Analysis,
Assessment, and Policy Recommendation
Report or Memo
Affordable Housing and Jobs Analysis,
Assessment, and Policy Recommendation
Report or Memo
Housing Development Implementation,
Economic Feasibility, Financing Analysis,
and Policy Recommendation Report or
Memo
Resilience and Climate Adaptation
Analysis, Assessment, and Policy
Recommendation Report or Memo
04/12/2025
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 16
Community Assets, Services, and
Infrastructure Analysis, Assessment, and
Policy Recommendation Report or Memo
Mobility and Interconnectivity Analysis,
Assessment, and Policy Recommendation
Report or Memo
Downtown Visioning,
Opportunities/Constraints, Identification
of Community Best Practices and Housing
Plan Approach Recommendations Report
or Memo
City Council Study Session(s)
Task 4 – Downtown Housing Plan Documents $100,000 02/25/2027
4.1 Downtown Housing Plan Preparation
Housing Plan Sections and Topic Outline
Housing Plan Administrative Draft 1
Housing Plan Community Advisory
Group and Technical Advisory Group
Draft 1
Housing Plan Administrative Draft 2
Housing Plan Public Hearing Draft 1
Housing Plan Public Final
11/26/2026
4.2 California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Environmental Document
Notice of Preparation (NOP)/Initial Study
City Internal Memo
Staff Report, Noticing, and Scoping
Meeting
Administrative Draft CEQA
Environmental Document
Draft CEQA Environmental Document
Notice of Completion (NOC)
Final Environmental Impact Report
(FEIR)
Notice of Determination (NOD)
11/26/2026
4.3 Housing Plan Adoption, CEQA
Environmental Document Certification,
Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and Municipal
Code Update
Public Hearing Staff Reports and
associated presentations
04/30/2027
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719
MTC/City of Palo Alto
University Ave/Downtown PDA Plan
Amendment 1 Supplement 1
Page 17
Document Certification/Adoption
Resolution
Housing Plan Adoption Resolution
Total $800,000.00
Docusign Envelope ID: DA647320-B22E-4B8F-A119-324400B3A719