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Home My WebLink AboutRESO 102599 4 8 8 Resolution No. 10259 Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Community Design Element Text to Amend the Description of the Multiple Family Land Use Designation. R E C I T A L S A.On December 21, 2021, Architect Amanda Borden, on behalf of Smith Properties and Palo Alto Dental Research A Corp (“Applicant”), submitted an application for Rezoning to Planned Community/Planned Home Zoning (PHZ) to redevelop the 511 Byron Street – 680 University Avenue project site with 66 rental residential units and 1,984 sf of office space (the “660 University Project”). B.The project requires an amendment to the description of the Multiple Family Land Use Designation in the Land Use and Community Design Element of the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan to permit the retention of existing commercial uses on the project site. C.Whereas the Planning and Transportation Commission, after a duly noticed public hearing on October 8, 2025, recommended that the City Council amend the text of the Land Use and Community Design Element of the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan as set forth below. D.Whereas the City Council considered said recommendation after a duly noticed public hearing held on November 10, 2025 and now desires to amend the Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Design Element as set forth below. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows: SECTION 1. The City Council finds that the public interest, health, safety and welfare of Palo Alto and the surrounding region would be furthered by a Text Amendment to the Land Use and Community Design Element. SECTION 2. The proposed Land Use and Community Design Text Amendments is consistent with the following goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan: Docusign Envelope ID: 5E9DE8CB-C113-4BEB-B208-44542AAA7438 9 4 8 8 Policy L-1.3: Infill development in the urban service area should be compatible with its surroundings and the overall scale and character of the city to ensure a compact, efficient development pattern. The proposed amendment would allow for i a mix of new housing, amenity space, and retention of commercial uses. This would maintain the existing character of the neighborhoods in which the uses are located. Policy L-1.5: Regulate land uses in Palo Alto according to the land use definitions in this Element and Map L-6 The proposed amendments ensure compliance with this policy and modify the land use map to align with past, current, and future uses of the site in order to address current inconsistencies between the map and existing uses and to facilitate future mixed-use projects utilizing the Planned Community process. Policy L-1.6: Encourage land uses that address the needs of the community and manage change and development to benefit the community. The proposed amendment takes into consideration the needs of the community by maintaining existing uses, including medical offices and neighborhood serving businesses within walking distance of residences. Policy L-2.2: Enhance connections between commercial and mixed-use centers and the surrounding residential neighborhoods by promoting walkable and bikeable connections and a diverse range of retail and services that caters to the daily needs of residents. The amendments allows for extended access to services and jobs within walking distance of residences, that cater to the daily needs to residents. Policy L-2.6: Create opportunities for new mixed-use development consisting of housing and retail. The comprehensive plan amendment would allow for a mix of uses on a site where currently only residential uses are allowed. SECTION 3. The City Council hereby amends the description of the Multiple-Family Land Use Designation in the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Community Design Element to read as follows: Multiple-Family Residential: The permitted number of housing units will vary by area, depending on existing land use, proximity to major streets and public transit, distance to shopping and environmental problems. Net densities will range from 8 to 40 units and 8 to 90 persons per acre. Density should be on the lower end of the scale next to single-family residential areas. Densities higher than what is permitted may be allowed where measurable community benefits will be derived, services and facilities are available, and the net effect will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Population densities will range up to 2.25 persons per unit by 2030. Docusign Envelope ID: 5E9DE8CB-C113-4BEB-B208-44542AAA7438 9 4 8 8 As part of a Planned Community zone, or in accordance with retail preservation requirements, existing commercial square footage may be maintained or rebuilt, as part of a housing development project. SECTION 4. In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the environmental impacts of this Resolution were evaluated in an Environmental Impact Report for the 660 University Project, which the Council considered and adopted, together with the related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) on November 10, 2025 in accordance with Resolution 10258. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: NOVEMBER 10, 2025 AYES: BURT, LAUING, LYTHCOTT-HAIMS, RECKDAHL NOES: LU ABSENT: STONE, VEENKER ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: __________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor ____________________________________________________ APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: Assistant City Attorney City Manager Docusign Envelope ID: 5E9DE8CB-C113-4BEB-B208-44542AAA7438 Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: 5E9DE8CB-C113-4BEB-B208-44542AAA7438 Status: Completed Subject: RESO 10259 - 660 University Ave Amend Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Community Design Element Source Envelope: Document Pages: 3 Signatures: 4 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 0 Christine Prior AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled Time Zone: (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) 250 Hamilton Ave Palo Alto , CA 94301 Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov IP Address: 165.225.242.121 Record Tracking Status: Original 11/12/2025 5:50:01 PM Holder: Christine Prior Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov Location: DocuSign Security Appliance Status: Connected Pool: StateLocal Storage Appliance Status: Connected Pool: City of Palo Alto Location: Docusign Signer Events Signature Timestamp Albert Yang Albert.Yang@paloalto.gov Assistant City Attorney City of Palo Alto Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 136.226.56.82 Sent: 11/12/2025 5:53:15 PM Viewed: 11/20/2025 8:02:15 AM Signed: 11/20/2025 8:02:28 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via Docusign Ed Shikada Ed.Shikada@paloalto.gov Ed Shikada City of Palo Alto Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 170.85.54.89 Sent: 11/20/2025 8:02:29 AM Viewed: 11/20/2025 10:50:57 AM Signed: 11/20/2025 10:51:07 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via Docusign Ed Lauing Ed.Lauing@paloalto.gov Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 2601:647:6880:a6f0:b02c:f3a4:ef77:d859 Sent: 11/20/2025 10:51:09 AM Viewed: 11/20/2025 12:22:37 PM Signed: 11/20/2025 12:23:08 PM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via Docusign Mahealani Ah Yun Mahealani.AhYun@paloalto.gov City Clerk Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None)Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 76.132.2.224 Sent: 11/20/2025 12:23:09 PM Viewed: 11/24/2025 12:15:39 PM Signed: 11/24/2025 12:15:44 PM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via Docusign In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Witness Events Signature Timestamp Notary Events Signature Timestamp Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted 11/12/2025 5:53:15 PM Certified Delivered Security Checked 11/24/2025 12:15:39 PM Signing Complete Security Checked 11/24/2025 12:15:44 PM Completed Security Checked 11/24/2025 12:15:44 PM Payment Events Status Timestamps