HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2602-5960CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, February 23, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
2.Status Report from the Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee CEQA Status: Not a
Project. Title Updated, Late Packet Report added. Public Comment, Staff Presentation
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: STUDY SESSION
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Report #:2602-5960
TITLE
Status Report from the Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee
This will be a late packet report published on February 19, 2026.
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City Council
Ad Hoc Report
From: Oversized Vehicles Ad Hoc Committee
Report Type: STUDY SESSION
Members: Lauing (Chair), Lythcott-Haims, and Reckdahl
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Report #:2512-5591
TITLE
Status Report from the Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee CEQA Status: Not a Project.
RECOMMENDATION
The Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee recommends that the City Council receive and
provide feedback on the Committee’s report back including supplemental information from
staff.
Formation of the Council Ad Hoc
On October 20, 2025, the Palo Alto City Council approved a set of initial measures to address
the growing numbers of Oversized Vehicles (OSVs) and resulting community impacts, as well as
the needs of OSV dwellers, including:
1. Prioritizing the towing of unregistered vehicles parked on City streets.
2. Prohibiting the parking of detached trailers on public streets.
3. Prohibiting the renting of public parking spaces (“vanlording”).
4. To enhance cleanliness in OSV areas, the Council authorized a one-time deep cleaning
followed by a semi-monthly sweeping schedule. Because this sweeping requires
vehicles to be relocated, it also serves as a mechanism to ensure all parked OSVs remain
mobile and operable.
5. Recruit new safe parking on privately-owned and congregation-based parking lots,
excepting any safe parking site that requires undedicating parkland.
6. Council directed staff to return to Council for approvals of ordinances and contract
amendments as soon as possible.
7. Directed the Mayor to create an Ad Hoc Committee to recommend details on the
increased enforcement and evaluation of Phase 2 activities, reporting back to Council in
4 months.
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The initial ordinances for items 2-4 were approved by Council on December 8, 2025, with
second readings approved on January 12, 2026.
Background
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locker rooms with showers, it is considered the best-resourced safe parking lot of all that MMV
manages in the region. The City’s Safe Parking program also includes partnerships with local
faith-based communities. We currently have four (4) such partners, each of which provide four
(4) spots for overnight parking to cars only (not OSVs), for a total of 16 spots. These resources
by themselves cannot handle the scope of the OSV population in Palo Alto.
Strategic Goals
The Desire to Mitigate Litigation Risk
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citywide. Two of those cases resulted in settlement1 and one is still pending before the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals2, making it difficult to extrapolate clear legal precedent around how
much discretion cities may exercise in limiting or prohibiting OSV parking on public streets.
The Challenge of Expanding Safe Parking Opportunities
Expand the Geng Road program. The land adjacent to the MMV Geng Road is dedicated
parkland (baseball/softball/batting cage/parking lot). Undedication would require
approval of the voters. Council’s October 20, 2025 motion specifically indicated we were
not to look at land that would have to be undedicated.
Increase the Faith-Based Program. Our faith-based partners tell us that the challenging
neighborhood dynamics associated with their initial safe parking efforts prevent them
from doing more at this time. They feel it is “someone else’s turn.”
1 See Navarro et al. v. City of Mountain View at N.D. Cal. Case No. 21-cv-05381 and Geary et al. v. City of Pacifica
at Case No. 21-cv-01780.
2 See Yesue et al. v. City of Sebastopol at N.D. Cal. Case No. 22-cv-06474 and 9th Cir. Case No. 24-7691. The lawsuit
was filed in 2022 and Sebastopol suspended enforcement of its OSV parking restrictions until the District Court
ruled in its favor in 2024. The case is currently on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. Oral argument occurred in December
2025 with a decision anticipated in 2026.
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Lease vacant land/parking lots from corporations. None of the corporate entities we’ve
approached have been amenable to leasing their vacant lots to the City for safe parking.
Use City land. None of Palo Alto’s vacant or underutilized properties are deemed
suitable for this purpose.
Lease land owned by other government entities. Caltrans owns the lot bordered by Hwy
101, San Antonio Road and Transport Street. Currently it is leased to a garden supply
store. Due to a Caltrans policy change impacting the current use, staff are in touch with
Caltrans about converting the use to safe parking.
In sum, despite the success of the highly successful safe parking program operated by MMV at
Geng road, the high cost of land and a scarcity of suitable locations make it difficult to increase
the number of off-street safe parking spots, and off-street parking alone will not fully address
Palo Alto's significant OSV challenges. Therefore, we are proposing a pilot permit program
designed to reduce impacts and address the needs of OSV dwellers, and we have also secured a
commitment from County leaders to convene a regional conversation on this topic.
Exploring OSV Permit Program
Given the legal risks associated with an OSV ban and the difficulties of expanding off-street Safe
Parking, the Ad Hoc committee recommends exploring alternative strategies. An OSV permit
program would allow the City to mitigate the negative impacts of OSVs while providing targeted
support for residents with legitimate needs.
Core Features of an OSV Permit Program:
Capacity limits: The City will reduce the number of OSVs in Palo Alto by capping the
number of permits based on Palo Alto’s historical OSV population.
Conduct Standards: Permit holders must abide by a set of guidelines designed to
minimize community impacts. Rule violations would result in permit non-renewal.
Defined Eligibility: Participation is restricted to low-income individuals with
documented ties to the Palo Alto community.
Seek Housing: Pursue placement on County housing waitlists.
Parking Locations: OSV Parking would remain prohibited in residential zones and all
other areas where OSVs are currently restricted.
The permit program addresses community impacts through two primary mechanisms: it caps
the number of OSVs at a manageable level and establishes conduct standards that give the city
significant leverage to discourage problematic behavior. In addition, by bringing OSV dwellers
into regulatory compliance with the City’s expectations, the permit program also offers more
dignity and security to OSV dwellers.
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While the potential benefits are clear, many operational details require refinement before such
a program could be implemented citywide.
Proposed Pilot Permit Program
Designated Parking Zones: The Pilot Program will establish specific zones where permits
are required to park an OSV. Confining the Pilot to small areas simplifies enforcement
and allows for rapid installation of the legally required signage.
Non-Pilot Areas: Areas outside of the Pilot will have no change in OSV regulations. City
Staff and Police will conduct proactive monitoring to mitigate the impacts of
unpermitted OSVs moving from the pilot areas into non-pilot areas.
Pro-rated Permit Allocation: While a permanent city-wide program would determine
capacity based on historical OSV data, the Pilot’s permit cap will be scaled
proportionally to the capacity of the designated zones.
Conduct Standards: Permit applicants/holders will be expected to:
o Maintain Vehicle Registration and Safety: Permit applicants must have valid
vehicle registration and insurance. Vehicles must pass a safety inspection,
including a check for oil, water, and sewage leaks.
o Agree to being a "Good Neighbor:” Applicants must commit to a "Good
Neighbor" agreement, which includes guidelines for noise mitigation during
evening hours, pet containment, the prohibition of open fires, and a ban on
storing personal belongings in public spaces.
o Park Safely: Permit holders must ensure their vehicles do not obstruct sightlines
near intersections or driveways. To prevent a continuous 'wall of vehicles,' a
minimum 20-foot clearance must be maintained between parked OSVs.
Additionally, the extension of vehicle slide-outs is prohibited while parked on
City streets.
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o Seek Housing: To ensure that the program serves as a bridge to permanent
stability, participants must actively engage with service providers and apply for
available housing waitlists; those who refuse a housing placement will be
ineligible for permit renewal.
Restrict Eligibility to Income-Qualifying and Local Connection: Participation is restricted
to low-income individuals with established ties to Palo Alto, such as employment in Palo
Alto, PAUSD enrollment, or a history of long-term Palo Alto residency prior to
displacement.
Provide Access to Sanitation Services: To prevent waste and litter, a designated City
facility could accept garbage and sewage from permit holders during scheduled
collection times.
Permit Duration & Cost: Permits will be issued on a short-term basis (e.g., 30–90 days).
Fees will be structured to offset the costs of sanitation and administrative services. Non-
compliance with program standards will be grounds for permit non-renewal.
Should the pilot demonstrate success in reducing community impacts, the City will be prepared
for a rapid, phased expansion of the program.
The Need for Regional Coordination
The housing crisis and increase in homelessness is a regional, state, and national issue. When
individual cities decide to sweep out encampments of unhoused people or ban OSVs from
parking on their streets they simply push that population elsewhere. And such efforts do
nothing to address the needs of unhoused people for basic shelter, services, and dignity.
Because we in Palo Alto find ourselves impacted by the decisions of neighboring municipalities
which have banned OSV parking, we’ve sought to elevate the conversation to a regional level so
as to work on regional solutions. At our request, the Office of Santa Clara County District 5
Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, in partnership with the County’s Office of Supportive Housing,
and Joint Venture Silicon Valley are co-sponsoring a regional convening on this issue on Friday
April 17 from 1-4pm. They estimate inviting 50-60 attendees to that event including
representatives from Palo Alto, and they have requested that we present our pilot permit
program as an example of innovative responses to OSV impacts and vehicle-dweller needs.
Conclusion
Since the Council’s actions on October 20, the City has made significant progress despite the
scale of the problem and operational constraints such as limited towing capacity and the lack of
available land for more safe parking lots. The Ad Hoc Committee commends City staff for their
exceptional dedication, including their extensive work during evenings and weekends to
address this issue. Despite this progress, we recognize that OSVs continue to negatively impact
Palo Alto’s residents and businesses. We also understand the needs of individuals who have no
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viable housing alternative to their vehicles. The City remains committed to working on the
expanded measures needed to address all aspects of this problem.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
City Council
Attachment A: Staff Supplemental Report
to OSV Ad Hoc Status Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: STUDY SESSION
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
TITLE
Status Report from the Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee; CEQA Status – Not a
Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and provide feedback on the Oversized Vehicles
(OSV) Ad Hoc Committee’s report back regarding follow up information from the OSV Ad Hoc
Committee and this supplemental information from staff.
BACKGROUND
In response to growing concerns about the longer-term parking of inhabited oversized vehicles
on public streets, the City Council established an Oversized Vehicle (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee
(Committee) on October 20, 2025 1 and approved a phased approach to addressing community
concerns. The City Council action on October 20, 2025 included approval of the following:
Phase 1:
1. Develop an urgency ordinance to prohibit parking of detached/inoperable vehicles on
public streets,
2. Develop an urgency ordinance to prohibit the renting of public parking spaces
(“vanlording”),
3. Refine the scope and begin implementation of additional street cleanups and sweeping,
4. Return to Council for approvals of ordinances and contract amendments (e.g., street
sweeping) as soon as possible, estimated to require up to four (4) months,
5. Implementation and enforcement of these actions would follow,
1 Council Staff Report, October 20, 2025
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/api/compilemeetingattachmenthistory/historyattachment/?historyId=3020b
489-edc3-4d4a-b48f-398bc6045634
6. Work with LifeMoves to consider options, such as a buyback or parking program, to
accept RV residents quickly at the Homekey site or other housing options,
7. Recruit new safe parking on privately-owned and congregation-based parking lots,
excepting any safe parking site that requires undedicating parkland,
8. Create an Ad Hoc Committee to recommend details on the increased enforcement and
other issues on implementation on items 1-7 above; evaluation of activities in Phase 2
and report back to Council in 4-months, in furtherance of Council goals including
public health and public safety,
9. Approve amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation (requires a 2/3
vote) to resource aspects of the phased approach in various funds:
a. General Fund by:
i. Increasing the contractual services appropriation for the City Manager’s
Office by $157,000 for resources to support program implementation;
ii. Decreasing the Business Tax Housing Affordability Reserve by $157,000;
iii. Increasing the contractual services appropriation for the Office of
Transportation by $150,000 for engineering services;
iv. Increasing the contractual services appropriation in the Public Works
Department by $60,000 for street clean-up services;
v. Increasing the contractual services appropriation in the Police
Department by $95,000 for marking and enforcement of vehicles;
vi. Decreasing the Budget Stabilization Reserve by $305,000;
b. Refuse Fund by:
i. Increasing the contractual services appropriation by $245,000 for new
permanent and temporary street cleaning signage; and
ii. Decreasing the Ending Fund Balance by $245,000
As immediate follow up of the City Council direction, on December 8, 2025, the City Council
adopted two urgency ordinances prohibiting vanlording and prohibiting detached trailer street
parking.2 The Committee reviewed the outreach materials related to these two ordinances.
Staff has posted signs allowing enforcement of the detached trailers ordinance.
The Committee has met almost weekly since October. The Committee members include
Councilmembers Ed Lauing (Chair), Julie Lythcott-Haims, and Keith Reckdahl. The Committee's
charge, as bolded in the City Council motion above, includes the following tasks:
• Task 1: Recommend details on increased enforcement
2 Council Staff Report, December 8, 2025
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/meetings/ItemWithTemplateType?id=9662&meetingTemplateType=2&comp
iledMeetingDocumentId=17979
• Task 2: Recommendations on other issues in implementation of the other items in the
motion (particularly related to items 6 and 7 in the motion (buyback/storage programs
and new safe parking options)
• Evaluating Phase 2 activities and options
• Engagement (not formally adopted by the City Council but highly encouraged)
• Reporting back to City Council in four months, in furtherance of City Council goals
including public health and safety related to the tasks
The Committee has been working collaboratively toward solutions focused on enhancing public
health and safety. Since November 2025, the Committee has met with City staff to receive
updates on cleaning and enforcement efforts and safe parking expansion efforts. The
Committee has also begun to evaluate new policy, assess potential impacts, and options for
safe parking and convening regional leaders to work on this as a regional issue. Their efforts aim
to provide the City Council with actionable considerations that address immediate concerns
and achieve long-term outcomes related to managing OSVs.
ANALYSIS
The Committee received information regarding staff’s implementation of the October 20, 2025
Phase 1 direction from City Council. Some key findings are shared below. In addition to those
findings and updates, the Committee has also focused on expanding parking options regarding
OSVs. This includes looking into options for (1) parking/storing OSVs while their owners
participate in interim housing and (2) storing towed OSVs to expand local tow capacity. Lastly,
the Committee began consideration of options for Phase II. More information about each of
these topics is shared below and in the Committee’s memo.
Findings Regarding Implementation of October 20, 2025 Phase I:
1. Street Cleaning and Sweeping: as of February 10, 2026, staff has conducted one-time
street deep cleaning (which includes debris removal, street cleaning, tree pruning, and
catch basin and storm drainpipe line cleaning) on 17 street segments. There are 18
street segments remaining in this effort for the streets identified in the October 20th
report. Each street (name and count) is counted twice since the work for opposite sides
of the street are scheduled for different dates. In addition to the one-time deep
cleaning, staff has also implemented a bi-weekly street sweeping effort on the streets
that have received deep cleaning. Both efforts, deep cleaning and street sweeping
require all vehicles (passenger vehicles and OSVs) to move from those parking spots or
be subject to citation and/or towing. To date, most vehicles have complied with the
requirement to relocate during street cleaning and street sweeping. Of note, after the
deep cleaning and/or street sweeping occur on any of the street segments, vehicles,
including OSVs, have returned to park on those street segments.
2. Enforcement:
a. Towing: In 2024, through a contract towing service, police staff towed 12 OSVs.
In 2025, there were 47 OSVs towed.3 On October 20, 2025, the City Council
directed police staff to increase enforcement of existing parking and vehicle
registration laws that can result in a vehicle being towed from a public street.
From that City Council meeting to the date of this report, 33 OSVs have been
towed. In addition to towing, police staff have been supporting the street
cleaning and sweeping efforts with outreach and enforcement. Outreach efforts
have been successful for street cleanings scheduled on Saturdays. Of the first
nine (9) scheduled cleaning dates, only five (5) vehicles (all non-OSVs) were
towed for not moving out of the cleaning areas. For regularly scheduled street
sweeping, police conducted additional outreach and distributed flyers advising of
the routine cleaning schedule. To date, nine (9) passenger vehicles and three (3)
OSVs have been towed for failing to move from the scheduled sweeping areas. In
2025, the Police Department paid $53,285 to tow OSVs. In 2026, the Police
Department has only been billed and paid a portion of the costs for 2026 tows-
to-date. The current paid amount of $5,000 this calendar year will increase after
the City is fully billed/invoiced related to the tows-to-date. More information
about this process is included as a footnote below.4
b. Scheduled Sweeping Outreach: For the cleanings, Public Works posts “No
Parking” signs on A-frames and prepares outreach flyers two weeks prior to
scheduled cleanings. The Police Department also engages in outreach to the
individuals on street cleaning/sweeping streets. On the date of the scheduled
cleanings, after the deep cleaning is completed, Public Works updates the signs
to “No Parking for bi-monthly street sweeping” signs.
Transportation staff conducted field surveys of all 18 affected streets, mapped
and defined permanent signage locations, designed signage in accordance with
regulations, and began work order development for permanent signage
(including new poles) related to street sweeping and detached vehicles for
3 From January 1, 2025, to October 15, 2025, police staff towed 25 OSVs and from October 16, 2025, to December
31, 2025, police staff towed 22 vehicles for a total of 47 OSVs towed in 2025.
4 Towing services are paid in one of two ways. In order for a legal owner to retrieve their towed vehicle, the owner
must pay for all towing related fees to include the tow fee and storage fees. If a vehicle is truly abandoned or the
legal owner does not retrieve their vehicle for various reasons, the tow company will place a lien on the vehicle
and then sell or scrap the vehicle if the vehicle has no value. The Police Department is invoiced for all unpaid
towing related fees once a vehicle is sold (minus the tow sales revenue) or scrapped. This process can take
anywhere from 30-60 days and is the reason why the Department has additional unpaid invoices.
review by Public Works field staff.
3. Outreach (in general and related to enforcement): The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)
conducted 349 interactions between clients and case managers, including 338
documented outreach interactions through street- and site-based engagement. Each
interaction focused on building rapport, addressing barriers to services, and connecting
individuals to ongoing case management. All activities were tracked through HMIS
activity logs and outreach contact forms. In addition to direct outreach, staff engaged
with community members and service providers to share information and problem-
solve complex situations. Multiple service providers shared the observation that
enforcement actions undermine trust and reduce individuals’ willingness to engage with
City programs. This concern aligns with outreach staff observations and has implications
for effective service connection. Service providers already face lack of trust due to the
limited bed availability for those seeking shelter (as of now the average wait time for an
individual adult is four (4) weeks for a shelter bed).
4. Safe Parking Lots Recruitment
a. Congregational – Councilmember Lythcott-Haims spoke with providers and faith
leaders who expressed that they are already doing their part by providing safe
parking on their own lots and that they want to see other sectors of the
community to step up.
b. Private – all 3 Committee members talked directly with various property owners
regarding possible viable lots; owners shared concerns about risk and liability,
and thus there have been no takers to-date for safe parking.
c. Public – no viable City lots are available currently for safe parking; staff is in
discussion with Caltrans about a potential site; the Ad Hoc is also encouraging a
regional discussion on topic. More information on the regional convening
concept is included in Attachment B following this staff report.
Exploration of Phase II Concepts
1. OSV Permit Pilot – The OSV Ad Hoc Committee drafted, for discussion, an overview of a
possible permit program and that is included in their Committee memo to City Council.
2. Storage / buyback – Research is underway on RV storage and/or buyback and will be
provided to the Committee once completed.
City Council Input Requested
The Committee is seeking City Council feedback on the OSV Permit Pilot program concept
described in the Committee‘s memo to City Council which also includes information on other
implementation progress. The Committee recognizes the difficulty with finding safe parking
available space and would like to request City Council feedback on interest to consider adding
back the consideration of pursuing the process for the undedication of parkland at least on a
temporary basis near Geng Road, as an option to expand the existing safe parking program
there. This was previously taken from consideration at the Policy and Services Committee
August 25, 2025 meeting and City Council informal confirmation of that Policy and Services
Committee recommendation.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Since October 20, a variety of financial and staff resources have been deployed in this effort, as
shown in the table below. Phase 1 efforts to date are within the budget that City Council
authorized for this work.
Table 1: RESOURCES EXPENDED OCT 20 – FEB 7 RELATING TO OSV WORK
Description Resources and Staff Time
There is also 40 CSO overtime hours
Including Hourly work.
5
Additional staff and funding resources will be needed to pursue the Phase 2 work and any
program that the City Council is interested in pursuing. Staff will further refine cost estimates
after further City Council clarity on interests for next steps.
5 This resource is an existing staff member who has been reassigned to work on this priority at the expense of
progressing other projects and priorities. The cost for this time spent is approximately $32,000.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Committee and staff organized a Community Open House6 to share information with the
public about the materials that went to City Council Committee and full City Council in August
and October. The open house had about 80 attendees and had stations focused on the
following:
• Enforcement
• Parking management: curb painting, time restrictions, signage etc.
• Cleaning and sweeping program
• Sheltered housing
• Parking and storage
• Phase 2 activities
Staff collected feedback shared by the community at the open house and summarized it for the
Ad Hoc Committee.
In addition to the feedback received at the open house, staff continue to monitor and respond
to correspondence submitted to the City Council on this topic. Staff are also actively engaging
with the local service provider network to share information, answer questions, and gather
insights regarding what providers are hearing directly from their clients. This ongoing outreach
helps ensure that staff remain informed of community concerns, service impacts, and emerging
themes, and allows for responsive coordination as the project moves forward.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is a study session only and no action is planned. Any subsequent projects as defined by
CEQA will undergo review at the appropriate time.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment B: Regional Convening Overview
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager
6 Information on OSV Open House, January 28, 2026: https://www.paloalto.gov/Events-Directory/City-
Manager/Oversized-Vehicles-Community-Open-House
Convening Paragraph
As the systemic issue of housing unaffordability continues to plague our region, our
communities are experiencing an increase in unhoused people who live in their vehicles
and park alongside city curbs. The presence of such individuals and their vehicles r esults
in health and safety impacts for adjacent business owners and residents. And many
vehicle dwellers report that they would prefer to live in a shelter or even in a safe parking
lot, but such options are not available or have requirements they cannot meet.
The negative impacts of vehicle dwellers and vehicles on city streets are being addressed
on a city-by-city level, typically by severely restricting or outright banning overnight parking,
where one jurisdiction’s solution becomes another jurisdiction’s pro blem. The City of Palo
Alto has not banned overnight parking and is seeing its numbers of such vehicles increase.
We seek to join in a solutions-oriented dialogue with others who are interested in exploring
a regional approach to addressing both sides of this complex issue (the negative impacts
and the needs of vehicle dwellers). Safe parking programs and other innovations have
shown some success and lessons learned, though resources required and perceptions
constrain their expansion.
Therefore, Palo Alto is proposing a Convening on this matter to be held in Spring of 2026,
and to be co-led by the City of Palo Alto, Office of Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret
Abe-Koba, Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing, Joint Venture Silicon Valley,
and Stanford University. Invitations to the Convening will be extended to: city and county
staff and elected officials from around the region; non -profit leaders who work with
unhoused people; developers, business owners, and other property owners; members of
academe; and thought leaders from myriad sectors and industries.
Intended outcomes of the Convening are:
1.Conduct an outside-the-box conversation on this challenging issue that utilizes
design thinking to get us to previously unexplored potential solutions that reduce
negative impacts and also improve quality of life and dignity for vehicle dwellers.
2.Identify potential solutions that will address both the negative impacts of vehicle
dwellers and that create a more permanent and dignified housing solution for such
persons.
3.Create a task force to flesh out the solutions and identify funding sources.
Attachment to Staff Report - Overview of Regional Convening
From:Noah Fiedel
To:Council, City
Subject:Strong concerns regarding OSV Permit Proposal
Date:Sunday, February 22, 2026 6:45:54 PM
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i
Dear City Council Members,
As an engaged voter and 20 year resident of Palo Alto,. I have significant concerns about
the proposed OSV Permit program.
1. Enforcement is clearly working! The report states this rather clearly. This enforcement is
of existing state laws, with no legal risk, and minimal costs. Continue and ramp-up
enforcement!
2. Using the historical OSV population count is fundamentally flawed. We have just
recently removed all parking on El Camino, pushing OSVs into neighborhoods.
Additionally, will the historic counts be from pre-covid, when they were far lower?
3. Protect Bike Boulevards. Two of our greatest/newest-to-be bike boulevards have been
whispered as potential zones for OSVs: Park and Fabian.These cost millions of dollars to
construct, provide safe and emission-free transportation, reduce traffic, and are at-risk from
OSVs. Can the council guarantee that no bike boulevards will be affected?
4. Equity & Low Income Housing..None of the reports state which streets will be! Many of
our "non-residential" zones have housing being constructed, including low-income housing.
Our city's most affordable housing areas are also adjacent to commercial zones. Can the
council guarantee that half of the proposed permits will be issued in North Palo Alto?
5. Cost. The proposed plan spends only 1/4th going to police enforcement.(under $100k).
Keep it simple and just enforce the laws!
Thank you,
Noah Fiedel
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report
From:June Chang
To:Council, City
Subject:Attempted theft_ safety security concern to Echelon Community
Date:Monday, February 23, 2026 11:37:18 AM
Attachments:Front 4xh5787jbf6bc_20260222_10535.mp4
Front 4xh5787jbf6bc_20260222_10453.mp4
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i
Dear Palo Alto City Council and Committee,
I'm an owner resident of Echelon Community. Echelon Community is on the same street, E Meadow
Circle, of approximate 70 RVs occupied the entire E Meadow Circle. Our community is only steps away
from them.
2/22/26 Sunday midnight 1am, attempted theft tried to break into my garage, see video footages
attached.
They are two people theft team, one waited outside waiting.
Same night, many other property were intruded. One owner's garage unfortunately got break-in, reported
to police, case #26-0706.
The safety and security is a serious concern to Echelon community. I'm living in fear. Many others share
the same feeling.
The parking rules should be enforced and those RVs on E Meadow Drive needs to be cleared.
Is the City Committee waiting for a tragedy to happy to take actions?
Please take law-biding residents security seriously.
Your attention is much appreciated.
- Jung Chang
3767 Klamath Ln. Echelon Community
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
Mark Safe Report
From:Dana Dahlstrom
To:CeCi Kettendorf
Cc:Dave Stellman; Robert Marinaro; Margaret Abe-Koga; Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick;
Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren
Brown; Chris Berg; Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez; Micah
Murphy; Danielle Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; Steve Wong;
Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia Czisch; Bill McLane; Ramon
Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers; Dan
McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris;
Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon;
Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan;
Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran; Chip Wytmar;
Sharon Elliot
Subject:Re: Palo Alto Oversized Vehicle Issue
Date:Saturday, February 21, 2026 9:00:33 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
What would I need to do to cede my time?
Feel free to use my name if that's enough.
From:Jo Ann Mandinach
To:CeCi Kettendorf
Cc:Dave Stellman; Robert Marinaro; Margaret Abe-Koga; Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick;
Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren
Brown; Dana Dahlstrom; Chris Berg; Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin;
Alina Martinez; Micah Murphy; Danielle Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave
Stellman; Steve Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia
Czisch; Bill McLane; Ramon Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David
Perez; Nancy Powers; Dan McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie
Madlangbayan; K Norris; Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz
Sonasath; Cheryl Routon; Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman,
Sophie; Baird, Nathan; Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran; Chip Wytmar;
Sharon Elliot
Subject:Re: Palo Alto Oversized Vehicle Issue
Date:Saturday, February 21, 2026 8:11:31 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
!
Good thought, CeCi.
I will cede my time, too.
On Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 8:09 AM CeCi Kettendorf <cecihome@gmail.com> wrote:
I will go to the council meeting per this topic on Monday, if anyone wants me to cede time
to them so they can speak. The Council often limits time at the podium to 2 minutes, rather
than three, if there are lots of speakers. You really need more time to present in depth,
so..............
Let me know if anyone wants my time.
CeCi Kettendorf
On Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com> wrote:
I would like to agree with Bob’s point of view.
If Palo Alto wants to try to help solve the OSV issue with secure parking areas like Geng
Rd, etc., rather than simply banning overnight parking as our neighboring cities have
done, that’s fine. But coming up with a “maximum number” of vehicles that will be
allowed and jamming them all into the south Palo Alto commercial area is just not fair. A
clean well kept motorhome will still take up 2 to 3 valuable parking places that should be
used by the customers and employees of our local businesses.
The report from the committee making recommendations to the city council states that
$500,000 to $1,000,000 in legal fees could be expected if Palo Alto solved this problem
by banning overnight parking. I for one would love to see my property and business taxes
This message could be suspicious
The sender's email address couldn't be verified.
Mark Safe Report
be spent in this way if that’s what it takes to finally solve this problem.
Dave Stellman
Transport St
On Feb 20, 2026, at 1:03 PM, Robert Marinaro <rmarinaro@mac.com>
wrote:
Margaret,
Hi, this is Bob Marinaro from the old Mountain View Chamber days back in
2010.
I’m writing you to solicit your assistance in trying to solve the Palo Alto
Oversized (OSV) issue. It has occurred to me, the City, and many others, that
this issue is bigger than any one city jurisdiction and needs to be coordinated
on both a local and regional level.
Many of us in the community have been voicing our concerns however we
have seen little progress to date. Unfortunately, the wheels of government
turn very slowly in some jurisdictions much to the chagrin of the tax-paying
residents and businesses that are negatively affected.
I live in southern Palo Alto, near Mountain View, and drive to Costco
frequently and do not want to see what has happened on certain designated
streets in Mountian View happen in Palo Alto, which is sounding like could
be the case as Palo Alto transitions to Phase 2 of their proposed OSV plan.
It would seem to me that the county would have much more options when it
comes to designating ’Safe Parking Areas’ for the many recent OSV arrivals
to Palo Alto after neighboring cites have implemented outright bans on OSVs
and overnight parking. Unfortunately, Palo Alto, being Palo Alto, has
different priorities and caused this self-inflicted situation.
As one of the many concerned residents of this city and of this county I ask
for your assistance.
Regards,
Bob Marinaro
Begin forwarded message:
From: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>
Subject: OSV UPDATES
Date: February 19, 2026 at 12:40:11 PM PST
To: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>,
jspiller@cbnorcal.com, Richard Brand
<mmqos@earthlink.net>, Jim Colton
<james.colton10@gmail.com>, Tom Watzka
<twatzka@gmail.com>, Chip Wytmar
<chip@wytmar.com>, John King
<johnwadeking@gmail.com>, Dana Wong
<danawong1@gmail.com>, farhat_101@yahoo.com,
Charmaine Furman <Sheri11@earthlink.net>, Elaine Meyer
<meyere@gmail.com>, Jeff Levinsky <jeff@levinsky.org>,
Jeff Hook <tribaljeff51@gmail.com>, Phyllis Brown
<pbrown@scu.edu>, Hamilton Hitchings
<hitchingsh@yahoo.com>, David Schrom
<David@ecomagic.org>, Paul Machado
<plmachado@gmail.com>, E Nigenda
<enigenda1@gmail.com>, Don Nielson
<nielsonz@pacbell.net>, Boris Foelsch
<borisfoelsch@gmail.com>, Tom Rindfleisch
<tcr@stanford.edu>, Vipul Vyas <vipul.vyas@gmail.com>,
Peter Taskovich <ptaskovich@yahoo.com>, Roger
Peterson <roger.petersen@gmail.com>, Utsav Gupta
<Utsav@utsavgupta.com>, ljwickstrom
<ljwickstrom@comcast.net>, Annette Glanckopf
<annette_g@att.net>, Nadia Naik
<nadianaik@gmail.com>, Ellen Shay
<eswoofwoof@gmail.com>, "Phylis 'The"
<pst54@comcast.net>, CeCi Kettendorf
<cecihome@gmail.com>, Pat Markevitch
<patmarkevitch@gmail.com>, Palo Alto Hills
<paloaltohillsna@gmail.com>, Jean Wilcox
<wilcox757@sbcglobal.net>, Ann Balin
<alafargue@mac.com>, Elizabeth Alexis
<ealexis@gmail.com>, Scott Fullam <fullam@gmail.com>,
Mary Sylvester <marysylvester@comcast.net>, Terry
Holzemer <holz@sonic.net>, Arthur Keller
<arthur@kellers.org>, Peter Allen
<pma94301@comcast.net>, Douglas Moran
<dmoran@dougmoran.com>, Richard Willits
<rwillits@gmail.com>, John Guislin <jguislin@gmail.com>,
Todd Burke <tburkeus@yahoo.com>,
cathy@cartmelltam.com, Joe A Villareal
<joe.a.villareal@gmail.com>, Srini Sankaran
<admin@greendell.org>, Andie Reed
<andiezreed@gmail.com>, "Lee 'The"
<bizthe@comcast.net>, Doria Summa
<doriasumma@gmail.com>, John Hofer
<cmaboard@googlegroups.com>, Margaret Heath
Brian <briansteen877@gmail.com>, Fred Balin
<fbalin@gmail.com>, Lisa Landers
<lisa.landers@gmail.com>, Doug Burns
<Dougb164@gmail.com>, Penny Ellson
<pennyellson12@gmail.com>, Len Filppu
<lenfilppu@earthlink.net>, Robert Marinaro
<rmarinaro@mac.com>, Jennifer Landesmann
<jlandesmann@gmail.com>, Jeanne Fleming
<jfleming@right-thing.net>, Jo Ann Mandinach
<Joann@needtoknow.com>, Chuck Karish
<chuck.karish@gmail.com>
Dear PAN People:
Below is an email I'm forwarding from Roger Smith, who is
helping to champion code enforcement regarding Oversized
Vehicle (OSVs) for Palo Altans living and doing business in the
highly impacted areas of North Ventura, East Meadow
Circle/Fabian, the Baylands light industrial zone and the
Commercial and Industrial Way area in Southeast Palo Alto, etc.
Roger is highlighting the fact that The Palo Alto City Council
will report on the Ad Hoc Committee's Study on the
campers on Feb 23rd at the City Hall from 7:20pm to
8:20pm. Roger's email highlights how to participate. We need to
keep the pressure up because...
After a spate of towings and ticketing due to residential
pressure, NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED. Bob
Marinaro has been following this closely and has been
instrumental in keeping pressure on City Hall to abide by
their own laws... so I am adding his email to City Council
with attachments below Roger's.
Thank you for your support of and participation in PAN
Becky Sanders
ROGER's EMAIL (then scroll down to see Bob's)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Subject: CITY COUNCIL FINAL DECISION ON RVs
To: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>, Peter Xu
<peterxuvel@gmail.com>
The Palo Alto City Council will report on the Ad Hoc
Committee's Study on the campers on Feb 23rd at the
City Hall from 7:20pm to 8:20pm. The Staff will give
their report, the Council will then ask questions of the
Staff, then open up for public comment, then bring it
back to the Council for Decision-Making.
This may be the last time we will hear from Council for
many months. It is important to make our case during
the public comments section. Please show up and
present to the Council the latest situation in your
neighborhood.
You can also participate virtually via
(https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting
ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
Thank each of you for your participation. We hope
they have listened to us. The staff report will be
available this Thursday as a public document. As soon
as we get the report, we will email it to each of you.
Roger
==========
From Bob to Council
OSV Ad Hoc Committe and City Council,
Please find attached my periodic count of Palo Alto’s Oversized Vehicles
(OSVs). In keeping with my desire to keep you and others informed
about the latest on our streets I am also including several photos of the
situation in the Ash Street area that appears to be impacted by one
individual with 10 or more vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
It appears as though the 180-ish OSV count is holding steady.
Unfortunately, I have added a new street, Acacia Ave, in the Ventura
Neighborhood. This new street addition is the result of one individual
being forced to move. As the numbers indicate, this is a musical chairs
(OSVs) situation where the vehicles in question are not removed they
just move to another location.
As I mentioned earlier, the vast majority of the detached trailers are still
present.
Also, of particular note, is that the OSV count is at 180, however I would
estimate that there are 50% more ancillary vehicles associated with
these OSVs which take up valuable parking spots particularly in the
Transport Street Commercial Area.
Out of sight, out of mind, is an unfortunate position. Please make a point
to visit these streets often and observe and ‘feel’ what residents and
businesses experience on a daily basis.
Palo Alto has many good qualities, but I’m sorry to say that prioritizing
the RV dwellers over the tax-paying residents and businesses is not one
of them.
We can do better. We need to do better!
Respectfully,
Bob Marinaro
<oversizedvehiclecountbobspttandphotos21526.zip>
From:CeCi Kettendorf
To:Dave Stellman
Cc:Robert Marinaro; Margaret Abe-Koga; Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims,
Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren Brown; Dana
Dahlstrom; Chris Berg; Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez;
Micah Murphy; Danielle Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; Steve
Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia Czisch; Bill McLane;
Ramon Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers;
Dan McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris;
Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon;
Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan;
Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran; Chip Wytmar;
Sharon Elliot
Subject:Re: Palo Alto Oversized Vehicle Issue
Date:Saturday, February 21, 2026 8:09:35 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
I will go to the council meeting per this topic on Monday, if anyone wants me to cede time to
them so they can speak. The Council often limits time at the podium to 2 minutes, rather than
three, if there are lots of speakers. You really need more time to present in depth, so..............
Let me know if anyone wants my time.
CeCi Kettendorf
On Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com> wrote:
I would like to agree with Bob’s point of view.
If Palo Alto wants to try to help solve the OSV issue with secure parking areas like Geng
Rd, etc., rather than simply banning overnight parking as our neighboring cities have done,
that’s fine. But coming up with a “maximum number” of vehicles that will be allowed and
jamming them all into the south Palo Alto commercial area is just not fair. A clean well kept
motorhome will still take up 2 to 3 valuable parking places that should be used by the
customers and employees of our local businesses.
The report from the committee making recommendations to the city council states that
$500,000 to $1,000,000 in legal fees could be expected if Palo Alto solved this problem by
banning overnight parking. I for one would love to see my property and business taxes be
spent in this way if that’s what it takes to finally solve this problem.
Dave Stellman
Transport St
On Feb 20, 2026, at 1:03 PM, Robert Marinaro <rmarinaro@mac.com> wrote:
Margaret,
Hi, this is Bob Marinaro from the old Mountain View Chamber days back in
2010.
I’m writing you to solicit your assistance in trying to solve the Palo Alto
Oversized (OSV) issue. It has occurred to me, the City, and many others, that
this issue is bigger than any one city jurisdiction and needs to be coordinated on
both a local and regional level.
Many of us in the community have been voicing our concerns however we have
seen little progress to date. Unfortunately, the wheels of government turn very
slowly in some jurisdictions much to the chagrin of the tax-paying residents and
businesses that are negatively affected.
I live in southern Palo Alto, near Mountain View, and drive to Costco
frequently and do not want to see what has happened on certain designated
streets in Mountian View happen in Palo Alto, which is sounding like could be
the case as Palo Alto transitions to Phase 2 of their proposed OSV plan.
It would seem to me that the county would have much more options when it
comes to designating ’Safe Parking Areas’ for the many recent OSV arrivals to
Palo Alto after neighboring cites have implemented outright bans on OSVs and
overnight parking. Unfortunately, Palo Alto, being Palo Alto, has different
priorities and caused this self-inflicted situation.
As one of the many concerned residents of this city and of this county I ask for
your assistance.
Regards,
Bob Marinaro
Begin forwarded message:
From: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>
Subject: OSV UPDATES
Date: February 19, 2026 at 12:40:11 PM PST
To: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>,
jspiller@cbnorcal.com, Richard Brand
<mmqos@earthlink.net>, Jim Colton
<james.colton10@gmail.com>, Tom Watzka
<twatzka@gmail.com>, Chip Wytmar <chip@wytmar.com>,
John King <johnwadeking@gmail.com>, Dana Wong
<danawong1@gmail.com>, farhat_101@yahoo.com,
Charmaine Furman <Sheri11@earthlink.net>, Elaine Meyer
<meyere@gmail.com>, Jeff Levinsky <jeff@levinsky.org>,
Jeff Hook <tribaljeff51@gmail.com>, Phyllis Brown
<pbrown@scu.edu>, Hamilton Hitchings
<hitchingsh@yahoo.com>, David Schrom
<David@ecomagic.org>, Paul Machado
<plmachado@gmail.com>, E Nigenda
<enigenda1@gmail.com>, Don Nielson
<nielsonz@pacbell.net>, Boris Foelsch
<borisfoelsch@gmail.com>, Tom Rindfleisch
<tcr@stanford.edu>, Vipul Vyas <vipul.vyas@gmail.com>,
Peter Taskovich <ptaskovich@yahoo.com>, Roger Peterson
<roger.petersen@gmail.com>, Utsav Gupta
<Utsav@utsavgupta.com>, ljwickstrom
<ljwickstrom@comcast.net>, Annette Glanckopf
<annette_g@att.net>, Nadia Naik <nadianaik@gmail.com>,
Ellen Shay <eswoofwoof@gmail.com>, "Phylis 'The"
<pst54@comcast.net>, CeCi Kettendorf
<cecihome@gmail.com>, Pat Markevitch
<patmarkevitch@gmail.com>, Palo Alto Hills
<paloaltohillsna@gmail.com>, Jean Wilcox
<wilcox757@sbcglobal.net>, Ann Balin
<alafargue@mac.com>, Elizabeth Alexis
<ealexis@gmail.com>, Scott Fullam <fullam@gmail.com>,
Mary Sylvester <marysylvester@comcast.net>, Terry
Holzemer <holz@sonic.net>, Arthur Keller
<arthur@kellers.org>, Peter Allen
<pma94301@comcast.net>, Douglas Moran
<dmoran@dougmoran.com>, Richard Willits
<rwillits@gmail.com>, John Guislin <jguislin@gmail.com>,
Todd Burke <tburkeus@yahoo.com>,
cathy@cartmelltam.com, Joe A Villareal
<joe.a.villareal@gmail.com>, Srini Sankaran
<admin@greendell.org>, Andie Reed
<andiezreed@gmail.com>, "Lee 'The"
<bizthe@comcast.net>, Doria Summa
<doriasumma@gmail.com>, John Hofer
<cmaboard@googlegroups.com>, Margaret Heath
<Maggi650@gmail.com>, wmjmcfall@yahoo.com, Steen
Brian <briansteen877@gmail.com>, Fred Balin
<fbalin@gmail.com>, Lisa Landers
<lisa.landers@gmail.com>, Doug Burns
<Dougb164@gmail.com>, Penny Ellson
<pennyellson12@gmail.com>, Len Filppu
<lenfilppu@earthlink.net>, Robert Marinaro
<rmarinaro@mac.com>, Jennifer Landesmann
<jlandesmann@gmail.com>, Jeanne Fleming
<jfleming@right-thing.net>, Jo Ann Mandinach
<Joann@needtoknow.com>, Chuck Karish
<chuck.karish@gmail.com>
Dear PAN People:
Below is an email I'm forwarding from Roger Smith, who is
helping to champion code enforcement regarding Oversized
Vehicle (OSVs) for Palo Altans living and doing business in the
highly impacted areas of North Ventura, East Meadow
Circle/Fabian, the Baylands light industrial zone and the
Commercial and Industrial Way area in Southeast Palo Alto, etc.
Roger is highlighting the fact that The Palo Alto City Council will
report on the Ad Hoc Committee's Study on the campers on
Feb 23rd at the City Hall from 7:20pm to 8:20pm. Roger's
email highlights how to participate. We need to keep the pressure
up because...
After a spate of towings and ticketing due to residential
pressure, NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED. Bob
Marinaro has been following this closely and has been
instrumental in keeping pressure on City Hall to abide by their
own laws... so I am adding his email to City Council with
attachments below Roger's.
Thank you for your support of and participation in PAN
Becky Sanders
ROGER's EMAIL (then scroll down to see Bob's)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Subject: CITY COUNCIL FINAL DECISION ON RVs
To: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>, Peter Xu
<peterxuvel@gmail.com>
The Palo Alto City Council will report on the Ad Hoc
Committee's Study on the campers on Feb 23rd at the
City Hall from 7:20pm to 8:20pm. The Staff will give their
report, the Council will then ask questions of the Staff,
then open up for public comment, then bring it back to
the Council for Decision-Making.
This may be the last time we will hear from Council for
many months. It is important to make our case during
the public comments section. Please show up and
present to the Council the latest situation in your
neighborhood.
You can also participate virtually via
(https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting
ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
Thank each of you for your participation. We hope they
have listened to us. The staff report will be available this
Thursday as a public document. As soon as we get the
report, we will email it to each of you.
Roger
==========
From Bob to Council
OSV Ad Hoc Committe and City Council,
Please find attached my periodic count of Palo Alto’s Oversized Vehicles
(OSVs). In keeping with my desire to keep you and others informed about
the latest on our streets I am also including several photos of the situation
in the Ash Street area that appears to be impacted by one individual with
10 or more vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
It appears as though the 180-ish OSV count is holding steady.
Unfortunately, I have added a new street, Acacia Ave, in the Ventura
Neighborhood. This new street addition is the result of one individual being
forced to move. As the numbers indicate, this is a musical chairs (OSVs)
situation where the vehicles in question are not removed they just move to
another location.
As I mentioned earlier, the vast majority of the detached trailers are still
present.
Also, of particular note, is that the OSV count is at 180, however I would
estimate that there are 50% more ancillary vehicles associated with these
OSVs which take up valuable parking spots particularly in the Transport
Street Commercial Area.
Out of sight, out of mind, is an unfortunate position. Please make a point to
visit these streets often and observe and ‘feel’ what residents and
businesses experience on a daily basis.
Palo Alto has many good qualities, but I’m sorry to say that prioritizing the
RV dwellers over the tax-paying residents and businesses is not one of
them.
We can do better. We need to do better!
Respectfully,
Bob Marinaro
<oversizedvehiclecountbobspttandphotos21526.zip>
From:Dave Stellman
To:Robert Marinaro
Cc:Margaret Abe-Koga; Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl,
Keith; Lu, George; Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren Brown; Dana Dahlstrom; Ceci
Kettendorf; Chris Berg; Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez;
Micah Murphy; Danielle Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; Steve
Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia Czisch; Bill McLane;
Ramon Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers;
Dan McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris;
Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon;
Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan;
Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran; Chip Wytmar;
Sharon Elliot
Subject:Re: Palo Alto Oversized Vehicle Issue
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 6:08:42 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
I would like to agree with Bob’s point of view.
If Palo Alto wants to try to help solve the OSV issue with secure parking areas like Geng Rd,
etc., rather than simply banning overnight parking as our neighboring cities have done, that’s
fine. But coming up with a “maximum number” of vehicles that will be allowed and jamming
them all into the south Palo Alto commercial area is just not fair. A clean well kept
motorhome will still take up 2 to 3 valuable parking places that should be used by the
customers and employees of our local businesses.
The report from the committee making recommendations to the city council states that
$500,000 to $1,000,000 in legal fees could be expected if Palo Alto solved this problem by
banning overnight parking. I for one would love to see my property and business taxes be
spent in this way if that’s what it takes to finally solve this problem.
Dave Stellman
Transport St
On Feb 20, 2026, at 1:03 PM, Robert Marinaro <rmarinaro@mac.com> wrote:
Margaret,
Hi, this is Bob Marinaro from the old Mountain View Chamber days back in
2010.
I’m writing you to solicit your assistance in trying to solve the Palo Alto
Oversized (OSV) issue. It has occurred to me, the City, and many others, that this
issue is bigger than any one city jurisdiction and needs to be coordinated on both
a local and regional level.
Many of us in the community have been voicing our concerns however we have
seen little progress to date. Unfortunately, the wheels of government turn very
slowly in some jurisdictions much to the chagrin of the tax-paying residents and
businesses that are negatively affected.
I live in southern Palo Alto, near Mountain View, and drive to Costco frequently
and do not want to see what has happened on certain designated streets in
Mountian View happen in Palo Alto, which is sounding like could be the case as
Palo Alto transitions to Phase 2 of their proposed OSV plan.
It would seem to me that the county would have much more options when it
comes to designating ’Safe Parking Areas’ for the many recent OSV arrivals to
Palo Alto after neighboring cites have implemented outright bans on OSVs and
overnight parking. Unfortunately, Palo Alto, being Palo Alto, has different
priorities and caused this self-inflicted situation.
As one of the many concerned residents of this city and of this county I ask for
your assistance.
Regards,
Bob Marinaro
Begin forwarded message:
From: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>
Subject: OSV UPDATES
Date: February 19, 2026 at 12:40:11 PM PST
To: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>,
jspiller@cbnorcal.com, Richard Brand
<mmqos@earthlink.net>, Jim Colton
<james.colton10@gmail.com>, Tom Watzka
<twatzka@gmail.com>, Chip Wytmar <chip@wytmar.com>,
John King <johnwadeking@gmail.com>, Dana Wong
<danawong1@gmail.com>, farhat_101@yahoo.com,
Charmaine Furman <Sheri11@earthlink.net>, Elaine Meyer
<meyere@gmail.com>, Jeff Levinsky <jeff@levinsky.org>, Jeff
Hook <tribaljeff51@gmail.com>, Phyllis Brown
<pbrown@scu.edu>, Hamilton Hitchings
<hitchingsh@yahoo.com>, David Schrom
<David@ecomagic.org>, Paul Machado
<plmachado@gmail.com>, E Nigenda
<enigenda1@gmail.com>, Don Nielson
<nielsonz@pacbell.net>, Boris Foelsch
<borisfoelsch@gmail.com>, Tom Rindfleisch
<tcr@stanford.edu>, Vipul Vyas <vipul.vyas@gmail.com>,
Peter Taskovich <ptaskovich@yahoo.com>, Roger Peterson
<roger.petersen@gmail.com>, Utsav Gupta
<Utsav@utsavgupta.com>, ljwickstrom
<ljwickstrom@comcast.net>, Annette Glanckopf
<annette_g@att.net>, Nadia Naik <nadianaik@gmail.com>,
Ellen Shay <eswoofwoof@gmail.com>, "Phylis 'The"
<pst54@comcast.net>, CeCi Kettendorf
<cecihome@gmail.com>, Pat Markevitch
<patmarkevitch@gmail.com>, Palo Alto Hills
<paloaltohillsna@gmail.com>, Jean Wilcox
<wilcox757@sbcglobal.net>, Ann Balin
<alafargue@mac.com>, Elizabeth Alexis
<ealexis@gmail.com>, Scott Fullam <fullam@gmail.com>,
Mary Sylvester <marysylvester@comcast.net>, Terry
Holzemer <holz@sonic.net>, Arthur Keller
<arthur@kellers.org>, Peter Allen <pma94301@comcast.net>,
Douglas Moran <dmoran@dougmoran.com>, Richard Willits
<rwillits@gmail.com>, John Guislin <jguislin@gmail.com>,
Todd Burke <tburkeus@yahoo.com>, cathy@cartmelltam.com,
Joe A Villareal <joe.a.villareal@gmail.com>, Srini Sankaran
<admin@greendell.org>, Andie Reed
<andiezreed@gmail.com>, "Lee 'The" <bizthe@comcast.net>,
Doria Summa <doriasumma@gmail.com>, John Hofer
<cmaboard@googlegroups.com>, Margaret Heath
<Maggi650@gmail.com>, wmjmcfall@yahoo.com, Steen Brian
<briansteen877@gmail.com>, Fred Balin <fbalin@gmail.com>,
Lisa Landers <lisa.landers@gmail.com>, Doug Burns
<Dougb164@gmail.com>, Penny Ellson
<pennyellson12@gmail.com>, Len Filppu
<lenfilppu@earthlink.net>, Robert Marinaro
<rmarinaro@mac.com>, Jennifer Landesmann
<jlandesmann@gmail.com>, Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@right-
thing.net>, Jo Ann Mandinach <Joann@needtoknow.com>,
Chuck Karish <chuck.karish@gmail.com>
Dear PAN People:
Below is an email I'm forwarding from Roger Smith, who is helping
to champion code enforcement regarding Oversized Vehicle (OSVs)
for Palo Altans living and doing business in the highly impacted
areas of North Ventura, East Meadow Circle/Fabian, the Baylands
light industrial zone and the Commercial and Industrial Way area in
Southeast Palo Alto, etc.
Roger is highlighting the fact that The Palo Alto City Council will
report on the Ad Hoc Committee's Study on the campers on
Feb 23rd at the City Hall from 7:20pm to 8:20pm. Roger's email
highlights how to participate. We need to keep the pressure up
because...
After a spate of towings and ticketing due to residential pressure,
NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED. Bob Marinaro has
been following this closely and has been instrumental in keeping
pressure on City Hall to abide by their own laws... so I am adding
his email to City Council with attachments below Roger's.
Thank you for your support of and participation in PAN
Becky Sanders
ROGER's EMAIL (then scroll down to see Bob's)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Subject: CITY COUNCIL FINAL DECISION ON RVs
To: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>, Peter Xu
<peterxuvel@gmail.com>
The Palo Alto City Council will report on the Ad Hoc
Committee's Study on the campers on Feb 23rd at the City
Hall from 7:20pm to 8:20pm. The Staff will give their
report, the Council will then ask questions of the Staff,
then open up for public comment, then bring it back to
the Council for Decision-Making.
This may be the last time we will hear from Council for
many months. It is important to make our case during the
public comments section. Please show up and present to
the Council the latest situation in your neighborhood.
You can also participate virtually via
(https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting ID:
362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
Thank each of you for your participation. We hope they
have listened to us. The staff report will be available this
Thursday as a public document. As soon as we get the
report, we will email it to each of you.
Roger
==========
From Bob to Council
OSV Ad Hoc Committe and City Council,
Please find attached my periodic count of Palo Alto’s Oversized Vehicles
(OSVs). In keeping with my desire to keep you and others informed about
the latest on our streets I am also including several photos of the situation in
the Ash Street area that appears to be impacted by one individual with 10 or
more vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
It appears as though the 180-ish OSV count is holding steady. Unfortunately,
I have added a new street, Acacia Ave, in the Ventura Neighborhood. This
new street addition is the result of one individual being forced to move. As
the numbers indicate, this is a musical chairs (OSVs) situation where the
vehicles in question are not removed they just move to another location.
As I mentioned earlier, the vast majority of the detached trailers are still
present.
Also, of particular note, is that the OSV count is at 180, however I would
estimate that there are 50% more ancillary vehicles associated with these
OSVs which take up valuable parking spots particularly in the Transport
Street Commercial Area.
Out of sight, out of mind, is an unfortunate position. Please make a point to
visit these streets often and observe and ‘feel’ what residents and businesses
experience on a daily basis.
Palo Alto has many good qualities, but I’m sorry to say that prioritizing the RV
dwellers over the tax-paying residents and businesses is not one of them.
We can do better. We need to do better!
Respectfully,
Bob Marinaro
<oversizedvehiclecountbobspttandphotos21526.zip>
From:Lydia Kou 顧錦珍
To:Robert Marinaro
Cc:Council, City; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren Brown; Dana Dahlstrom; Ceci Kettendorf; Chris Berg;
Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez; Micah Murphy; Danielle
Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; dave@paloaltoglass.com; Steve
Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia Czisch; Bill McLane; Ramon
Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers; Dan
McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris;
Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon;
Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan;
Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran
Subject:Re: Oversized Vehicle Count (Bob"s PTT) and Photos (2/15/26)
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 4:47:33 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Bob,
On Monday, 2/23, City Council will be receiving the OSV Ad Hoc committee’s report at a
Study Session.
Here’s the link to the agenda
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=19144
~ lk
Sent from Lydia’s Mobile
On Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 3:14 PM Robert Marinaro <rmarinaro@mac.com> wrote:
OSV Ad Hoc Committe and City Council,
Please find attached my periodic count of Palo Alto’s Oversized Vehicles (OSVs). In
keeping with my desire to keep you and others informed about the latest on our streets I am
also including several photos of the situation in the Ash Street area that appears to be
impacted by one individual with 10 or more vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
It appears as though the 180-ish OSV count is holding steady. Unfortunately, I have added a
new street, Acacia Ave, in the Ventura Neighborhood. This new street addition is the result
of one individual being forced to move. As the numbers indicate, this is a musical chairs
(OSVs) situation where the vehicles in question are not removed they just move to another
location.
As I mentioned earlier, the vast majority of the detached trailers are still present.
Also, of particular note, is that the OSV count is at 180, however I would estimate that there
are 50% more ancillary vehicles associated with these OSVs which take up valuable parking
spots particularly in the Transport Street Commercial Area.
Out of sight, out of mind, is an unfortunate position. Please make a point to visit these
streets often and observe and ‘feel’ what residents and businesses experience on a daily
basis.
Palo Alto has many good qualities, but I’m sorry to say that prioritizing the RV dwellers
over the tax-paying residents and businesses is not one of them.
We can do better. We need to do better!
Respectfully,
Bob Marinaro
Ash Street - - Most of the vehicles on this section of Ash street appear to be moved to
adjacent streets with the exception of this SUV and trailer
Ash Street - - Most of the vehicles on this section of Ash Street appear to be moved to
adjacent streets with the exception of this SUV and trailer
Portage Ave. - - Most of the vehicles on Ash Street have been move to Portage Ave.
Portage Ave.
Portage Ave. - - It looks like a Denver Boot has been attached to the trailer wheel to prevent
it from being towed
Acacia Ave. (one block over from Portage Ave.) - - Where more vehicles have been recently
moved. Are these new condos being built on the other side of the street? A lovely sight out
your window!
From:David Adams
To:Council, City
Subject:OSV Permit Program - CC Meeting 2/23
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 1:29:56 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Honorable members of the council,
An OSV permit program is all well and good but it doesn't address the current issues for residents and
may even make them worse:
1. OSVs will move to the the non permit areas i.e. residential areas.
2. It doesn't address the current patchy enforcement. I understand enforcement has been happening in
the commercial areas but I'm not so sure about the residential areas. I can point you to a 6 wheeled OSV
that has been parked up illegally on Olive Ave for over 6 months without moving and with registration
expired in 2021.
3. There is currently a policy not to tow occupied OSVs wherever they are parked. The owners know this
so ignore all attempts to be moved.
Thank you for your consideration,
David Adams
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
From:Robert Marinaro
To:Margaret Abe-Koga
Cc:Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George;
Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren Brown; Dana Dahlstrom; Ceci Kettendorf; Chris Berg;
Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez; Micah Murphy; Danielle
Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; dave@paloaltoglass.com; Steve
Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia Czisch; Bill McLane;
Ramon Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers;
Dan McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris;
Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon;
Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan;
Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran; Chip Wytmar;
Sharon Elliot
Subject:Palo Alto Oversized Vehicle Issue
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 1:10:40 PM
Attachments:oversizedvehiclecountbobspttandphotos21526.zip
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Margaret,
Hi, this is Bob Marinaro from the old Mountain View Chamber days back in 2010.
I’m writing you to solicit your assistance in trying to solve the Palo Alto Oversized (OSV)
issue. It has occurred to me, the City, and many others, that this issue is bigger than any one
city jurisdiction and needs to be coordinated on both a local and regional level.
Many of us in the community have been voicing our concerns however we have seen little
progress to date. Unfortunately, the wheels of government turn very slowly in some
jurisdictions much to the chagrin of the tax-paying residents and businesses that are negatively
affected.
I live in southern Palo Alto, near Mountain View, and drive to Costco frequently and do not
want to see what has happened on certain designated streets in Mountian View happen in Palo
Alto, which is sounding like could be the case as Palo Alto transitions to Phase 2 of their
proposed OSV plan.
It would seem to me that the county would have much more options when it comes to
designating ’Safe Parking Areas’ for the many recent OSV arrivals to Palo Alto after
neighboring cites have implemented outright bans on OSVs and overnight parking.
Unfortunately, Palo Alto, being Palo Alto, has different priorities and caused this self-
inflicted situation.
As one of the many concerned residents of this city and of this county I ask for your
assistance.
Regards,
Bob Marinaro
Begin forwarded message:
From: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>
Subject: OSV UPDATES
Date: February 19, 2026 at 12:40:11 PM PST
To: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>, jspiller@cbnorcal.com,
Richard Brand <mmqos@earthlink.net>, Jim Colton
<james.colton10@gmail.com>, Tom Watzka <twatzka@gmail.com>, Chip
Wytmar <chip@wytmar.com>, John King <johnwadeking@gmail.com>,
Dana Wong <danawong1@gmail.com>, farhat_101@yahoo.com,
Charmaine Furman <Sheri11@earthlink.net>, Elaine Meyer
<meyere@gmail.com>, Jeff Levinsky <jeff@levinsky.org>, Jeff Hook
<tribaljeff51@gmail.com>, Phyllis Brown <pbrown@scu.edu>, Hamilton
Hitchings <hitchingsh@yahoo.com>, David Schrom
<David@ecomagic.org>, Paul Machado <plmachado@gmail.com>, E
Nigenda <enigenda1@gmail.com>, Don Nielson <nielsonz@pacbell.net>,
Boris Foelsch <borisfoelsch@gmail.com>, Tom Rindfleisch
<tcr@stanford.edu>, Vipul Vyas <vipul.vyas@gmail.com>, Peter
Taskovich <ptaskovich@yahoo.com>, Roger Peterson
<roger.petersen@gmail.com>, Utsav Gupta <Utsav@utsavgupta.com>,
ljwickstrom <ljwickstrom@comcast.net>, Annette Glanckopf
<annette_g@att.net>, Nadia Naik <nadianaik@gmail.com>, Ellen Shay
<eswoofwoof@gmail.com>, "Phylis 'The" <pst54@comcast.net>, CeCi
Kettendorf <cecihome@gmail.com>, Pat Markevitch
<patmarkevitch@gmail.com>, Palo Alto Hills
<paloaltohillsna@gmail.com>, Jean Wilcox <wilcox757@sbcglobal.net>,
Ann Balin <alafargue@mac.com>, Elizabeth Alexis <ealexis@gmail.com>,
Scott Fullam <fullam@gmail.com>, Mary Sylvester
<marysylvester@comcast.net>, Terry Holzemer <holz@sonic.net>, Arthur
Keller <arthur@kellers.org>, Peter Allen <pma94301@comcast.net>,
Douglas Moran <dmoran@dougmoran.com>, Richard Willits
<rwillits@gmail.com>, John Guislin <jguislin@gmail.com>, Todd Burke
<tburkeus@yahoo.com>, cathy@cartmelltam.com, Joe A Villareal
<joe.a.villareal@gmail.com>, Srini Sankaran <admin@greendell.org>,
Andie Reed <andiezreed@gmail.com>, "Lee 'The"
<bizthe@comcast.net>, Doria Summa <doriasumma@gmail.com>, John
Hofer <cmaboard@googlegroups.com>, Margaret Heath
<Maggi650@gmail.com>, wmjmcfall@yahoo.com, Steen Brian
<briansteen877@gmail.com>, Fred Balin <fbalin@gmail.com>, Lisa
Landers <lisa.landers@gmail.com>, Doug Burns
<Dougb164@gmail.com>, Penny Ellson <pennyellson12@gmail.com>,
Len Filppu <lenfilppu@earthlink.net>, Robert Marinaro
<rmarinaro@mac.com>, Jennifer Landesmann
<jlandesmann@gmail.com>, Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@right-thing.net>,
Jo Ann Mandinach <Joann@needtoknow.com>, Chuck Karish
<chuck.karish@gmail.com>
Dear PAN People:
Below is an email I'm forwarding from Roger Smith, who is helping to champion
code enforcement regarding Oversized Vehicle (OSVs) for Palo Altans living
and doing business in the highly impacted areas of North Ventura, East Meadow
Circle/Fabian, the Baylands light industrial zone and the Commercial and
Industrial Way area in Southeast Palo Alto, etc.
Roger is highlighting the fact that The Palo Alto City Council will report on
the Ad Hoc Committee's Study on the campers on Feb 23rd at the City
Hall from 7:20pm to 8:20pm. Roger's email highlights how to participate. We
need to keep the pressure up because...
After a spate of towings and ticketing due to residential pressure, NOTHING
HAS REALLY CHANGED. Bob Marinaro has been following this closely
and has been instrumental in keeping pressure on City Hall to abide by their
own laws... so I am adding his email to City Council with attachments below
Roger's.
Thank you for your support of and participation in PAN
Becky Sanders
ROGER's EMAIL (then scroll down to see Bob's)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Subject: CITY COUNCIL FINAL DECISION ON RVs
To: Roger Smith <rogervernonsmith@hotmail.com>, Peter Xu
<peterxuvel@gmail.com>
The Palo Alto City Council will report on the Ad Hoc Committee's
Study on the campers on Feb 23rd at the City Hall from 7:20pm to
8:20pm. The Staff will give their report, the Council will then ask
questions of the Staff, then open up for public comment, then bring
it back to the Council for Decision-Making.
This may be the last time we will hear from Council for many
months. It is important to make our case during the public
comments section. Please show up and present to the Council the
latest situation in your neighborhood.
You can also participate virtually via
(https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting ID: 362 027
238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
Thank each of you for your participation. We hope they have
listened to us. The staff report will be available this Thursday as a
public document. As soon as we get the report, we will email it to
each of you.
Roger
==========
From Bob to Council
OSV Ad Hoc Committe and City Council,
Please find attached my periodic count of Palo Alto’s Oversized Vehicles (OSVs). In
keeping with my desire to keep you and others informed about the latest on our streets I am
also including several photos of the situation in the Ash Street area that appears to be
impacted by one individual with 10 or more vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
It appears as though the 180-ish OSV count is holding steady. Unfortunately, I have added
a new street, Acacia Ave, in the Ventura Neighborhood. This new street addition is the
result of one individual being forced to move. As the numbers indicate, this is a musical
chairs (OSVs) situation where the vehicles in question are not removed they just move to
another location.
As I mentioned earlier, the vast majority of the detached trailers are still present.
Also, of particular note, is that the OSV count is at 180, however I would estimate that there
are 50% more ancillary vehicles associated with these OSVs which take up valuable
parking spots particularly in the Transport Street Commercial Area.
Out of sight, out of mind, is an unfortunate position. Please make a point to visit these
streets often and observe and ‘feel’ what residents and businesses experience on a daily
basis.
Palo Alto has many good qualities, but I’m sorry to say that prioritizing the RV dwellers over
the tax-paying residents and businesses is not one of them.
We can do better. We need to do better!
Respectfully,
Bob Marinaro
Palo Alto On Street OSV Count
Street Segment OSVs OSVs OSVs OSVs OSVs OSVs OSVs OSVs OSVs
########11/2/2025 ################12/3/2025 ########1/14/2026 1/28/2026 2/13/2026
& 10/22/25 & 11/3 & 11/11 & 11/20 & 12/21 & 1/29
1 Fabian Way Between E. Charleston & E. Meadow 17 17 17 17 17 17 16 17 16
2 Fabian Way Between E. Charleston & San Antonio Rd.9 8 7 8 8 7 8 8 9
3 E. Meadow Circle Off of E. Meadow Dr.52 52 52 56 53 52 51 49 53
4 East Meadow At Intersection with Fabian Way 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 2
5 Industrial Ave.Between E. Charleston & Transport St.1 2 1 1 1 1 4 4 4
6 Transport St.Between E. San Antonio & Industrial Ave.12 12 12 11 11 11 12 12 11
7 San Antonio Rd.Between E. Charleston & Transport St.13 12 13 13 15 13 10 11 11
8 Commercial St.Between E. Charleston & Transport St.12 14 14 15 15 15 17 16 17
9 Elwell Ct.Dead End Off of E. Bayshore Rd.15 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 11
10 Corporation Way Dead End Off of E. Bayshore Rd.12 12 12 12 13 12 2 0 0
11 Colorado Ave.Colorado Ave. & W. Bayshore Rd.5 5 5 6 6 2 4 3 1
12 Amarillo Ave.Bordering North Edge of Greer Park 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
13 E. Embarcadero Rd.East of 101 13 13 12 15 8 10 5 5 9
14 Embarcadero Way Dead End off of Embarcadero Rd.14 13 10 10 11 7 8 7 6
15 Faber Pl.Dead End off of Embarcadero Rd.25 23 23 23 25 20 19 15 16
16 Mitchell Park Mitchell Park Parking Lot 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 2
17 Greer Park Greer Park Parking Lot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
200 193 188 197 195 180 170 165 168
18 Park Blvd.South of Page Mill 6 3 3 3 4 3 1 0 0
19 Lambert Ave.Between El Camino & Park Blvd.1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 0
20 Ash St.Between Oregon Expressway & Olive Ave.1 1 2 0 0 2 1 3 2
21 Poratge Ave.Between El Camino & Park Blvd.4 4 4 6 4 2 1 3 1
22 Olive Ave.Between El Camino & Park Blvd.1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 2
23 Sheridan Ave.Between Park Blvd & Caltrain Parking Lot 6 6 6 6 6 6 3 2 3
24 Orinda St.Between Fernando Ave. & Wilton Ave.1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
25 Matadero Ave.Between El Camino & Park Blvd.- -0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
26 Acacia Ave.Between El Camino & Ash St.- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -3
20 18 20 20 20 19 11 13 12
Total:220 211 208 217 215 199 181 178 180
Delta:-9 -3 9 -2 -16 -18 -3 2
Days since first count: ########12 20 29 43 60 85 99 115
Months since first count: ########0.4 0.7 1.0 1.4 2.0 2.8 3.3 3.8
Yellow OSVs on New Street
Green Utility Construction
Ventura Area
RV Inventory_15Feb26 2/23/2026 12:25 PM
From:Robert Marinaro
To:Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren Brown; Dana Dahlstrom; Ceci Kettendorf; Chris Berg; Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John
Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez; Micah Murphy; Danielle Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; dave@paloaltoglass.com; Steve Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero;
Xenia Czisch; Bill McLane; Ramon Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers; Dan McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris; Elidia
Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon; Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan; Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis
Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn; William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas
Moran; Chip Wytmar; Sharon Elliot; McDonough, Melissa
Subject:A Day in the Life of the Transport/Commercial/Industrial Area of Palo Alto
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 1:07:21 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
This is upfront and personal to the businesses in this area...
A daycare facility on the right
From:Dave Mitchell
To:Council, City
Cc:Darci Teobaldi; Victor Stephenson
Subject:Concern About RV Parking on Elwell Ct
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 12:39:48 PM
Attachments:Outlook-oqdvcpm4.png
Outlook-cqxgj0f1.png
Outlook-jr4qmn4f.png
Outlook-iptqn4vd.png
Outlook-mozbaavl.png
Outlook-qix5qjcq.png
image125010.png
image558983.png
image212781.png
image622897.png
image958192.png
image798704.png
image212145.png
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City of Palo Alto City Council,
I'm writing to once again highlight concerns on the large number of RVs parking in front of our
buildings on Elwell Ct for extended periods of time. Not only has this resulted in limiting the
available parking for employees, resulting in our having to rent additional parking from Google, but it
severely diminishes the look and feel of our offices, such that the Marketing and Sales teams are
reluctant to host future customers on site. We have also had negative feedback from potential
employees that have refused job offers at least in part because of the issue.
There have been dozens of issues resulting from these RVs, including our employee being bitten by
dogs living in the RVs (and subsequently requiring rabies shots), RV inhabitants naked on the street,
theft of water from our building, improper disposal of excrement and other waste in our trash and
on the street, noise pollution from gas powered generators, and suspicious activity that appears to
be drug sales. In each of these instances we have contacted police, unusually through the non-
emergency hotline. We have also been present and vocal in the multiple city council meetings on
the subject, including the recent community meeting at Mitchell Park. The community service
officer has visited the area many times and has frequently put notices on the RVs requiring them to
relocate. Notwithstanding those notices I personally know of RVs that have been parked on this
street continuously since July of 2024. This includes RVs that are being rented (vanlorded) as well
as detached RVs, both of which were included in the Initial Measures To Address approved by the
city council on Oct 20th.
We have been told by officers that although they would like to tow the most egregious of these
offenders, there is no space available to tow them to. This lack of enforcement effectively
undermines the law itself and leads to a perception of lawlessness and diminished respect for the
legal system.
Please assist us to create the Palo Alto we all want by enforcing the laws that are on the books.
Many Thanks,
Dave Mitchell
VP Operations and Manufacturing Engineering
+1 (215) 932 0932
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From:Rebecca Sanders
To:Council, City
Subject:Agenda Item #2 - Feb. 23 - OSV Report
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 11:08:34 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Veenker and Honorable City Council Members:
I am concerned that designating certain streets for RV parking may result in a lack of
democratization of the solution to the vexing problem of where to allow RVs to park.
I proposed we ask all neighborhoods to take in a handful of the 180 or so vehicles in question.
It would be temporary as we work toward "0" vehicles parked in front of all homes and
businesses.
For example, what if Mark Zuckerberg's compound were designated an RV zone? As he owns
so much street frontage now, a dozen or so RVs would only be impacting his household. And
they don't have to stay all year long. They could move, say in a month, to a new part of
Crescent Park.
Those of us living and working in modest neighborhoods shouldn't have to beg for parity vis a
vis the well to do neighborhoods, but here I am -- begging you to be democratic.
If all neighborhoods share equally in bearing the burden, a better solution will be found more
quickly. That I can guarantee. More people will be aware and have direct experience of the
situation we've been living with for years.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Becky Sanders
Ventura Neighborhood
From:Elaine Sanders
To:McDonough, Melissa
Cc:Council, City
Subject:RE: Upcoming City Council Discussion on Phased Approach to Address Oversized Vehicle Impacts
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 10:22:31 AM
Attachments:image004.png
image005.png
Importance:High
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Hello,
Can you please tell me if this sign that was posted in front of our business includes motor homes.
Are “trailer coaches” considered motor homes?
Also, when will the city begin to enforce this? I don’t believe any OSVs have moved since these signs
were put up. Were they given a grace period?
Thank you.
This message needs your attention
This is their first mail to some recipients.
Mark Safe Report
Elaine Sanders
Assistant to John Mozart
Mozart Development Company
1068 E Meadow Circle
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-213-1127
From: McDonough, Melissa <Melissa.McDonough@paloalto.gov>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 5:56 PM
To: McDonough, Melissa <Melissa.McDonough@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Upcoming City Council Discussion on Phased Approach to Address Oversized Vehicle
Impacts
I am reaching out because you have previously engaged in discussions about housing and
homelessness in Palo Alto—whether through direct conversations with me, public forums, or
other avenues. As you may be aware, at the Palo Alto City Council meeting on Monday
February 23, 2026 there will be a study session discussion on the Oversized Vehicles (OSV)
Committee’s status report at 7:20 pm in Council Chambers.
Ahead of the meeting, if you’re interested, you can read the Council Committee Report, which
provides an update on recent efforts and proposes some potential next steps.
This is an opportunity to hear updates, share perspectives, and help shape next steps on this
complex issue. Public comment is encouraged and can be provided:
In person at the meeting (Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton)
Virtually via Zoom ( https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238)
Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
In writing by emailing comments to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org prior to the meeting
Your voice is valuable in these discussions.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I hope you will consider participating
in this important conversation.
Best regards,
Melissa
Melissa McDonough, MPP
Assistant to the City Manager
pronouns: she/her
650.329.2533 (desk) | 650.586.1557 (mobile)
Melissa.McDonough@PaloAlto.gov
www.PaloAlto.gov
From:Bill McLane
To:Robert Marinaro
Cc:Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George;
Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren Brown; Dana Dahlstrom; Ceci Kettendorf; Chris Berg;
Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez; Micah Murphy; Danielle
Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; dave@paloaltoglass.com; Steve
Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia Czisch; Ramon
Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers; Dan
McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris;
Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon;
Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan;
Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran; Chip Wytmar;
Sharon Elliot
Subject:Re: A Day in the Life of East Meadow Circle
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 6:00:27 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Morning,
I am glad to announce that yesterday, I personally witnessed one trailer being towed, and a
second one was about to be towed but unfortunately, they were unable to hook it up since
there was a person inside.
To PAPD and the two dedicated officers - wonderful start. We are all looking forward to
getting this problem resolved.
To all who are on the Transport/Commercial/Industrial area - I would like to encourage you all
to move your vehicles to the side of the street today where the street cleaning will not be done
tomorrow. This will help block places for the campers to move to tonight for an overnight stay
elsewhere. Tomorrow morning, when the cleaning is done, you can then promptly rearrange
your vehicles in such a manner that campers and RVs cannot fit on the street. This would be a
great start to helping deter them from hanging out in our neighborhoods any longer. We need
to be together in this effort. I plan to have all of my vehicles out in the street to block as much
as possible.
Thank you,
Bill McLane
PALO ALTO GLASS, INC.4085 Transport Street Palo Alto, CA 94303650-494-7000 www.paloaltoglass.com
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Download full resolution images
Available until Mar 22, 2026
On Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 12:29 AM Robert Marinaro <rmarinaro@mac.com> wrote:
The camera doesn’t lie...
Download full resolution images
Available until Mar 22, 2026
From:Robert Marinaro
To:Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George;
Lauing, Ed; Bulatao, Eric; Roger Smith; Peter Xu; Loren Brown; Dana Dahlstrom; Ceci Kettendorf; Chris Berg;
Taly Katz; Barry Katz; Nancy Ellickson; John Schafer; Jeanette Baldwin; Alina Martinez; Micah Murphy; Danielle
Dunne; David Famero; Carly Lake; Sandy Freschi; T Bullman; Dave Stellman; dave@paloaltoglass.com; Steve
Wong; Marguerite Poyatos; Manu Kumar; Lydia Kou; Patrick Kelly; Osbaldo Romero; Xenia Czisch; Bill McLane;
Ramon Moreno; L Wong; Cathi Lerch; Maor Greenberg; Moffatt, Pete; Jacob Hakmo; David Perez; Nancy Powers;
Dan McKinley; John Lerch; Stacey Tomson; CMEI Wong; DMA Wong; Jin Wong; Maggie Madlangbayan; K Norris;
Elidia Tafoya; S Hayes; Victor Sloan; woodgood@pacbell.net; Kandace Kopensky; Moiz Sonasath; Cheryl Routon;
Peter Longanecker; Karsyn Smith Development; Raphael Zahnd; Riley Cooke; Pigman, Sophie; Baird, Nathan;
Palo Alto Daily Post; Gennady Sheyner; Louis Hsiao; Jo Ann Mandinach; Ann Balin; Annette Ross; Mary
Gallagher; Maury Green; Terry Holzemer; Joseph Hirsch; Ben Lerner; Greg Schmid (external); Suzanne Keehn;
William Ross; Ron Chun; Rita Vrhel; Arthur Keller; Jeff Levinsky; Becky Sanders; Douglas Moran; Chip Wytmar;
Sharon Elliot
Subject:A Day in the Life of East Meadow Circle
Date:Friday, February 20, 2026 12:42:04 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
The camera doesn’t lie...
Status Report from the Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee
Presenter:
Melissa K. McDonough,
Assistant to the City Manager
FEBRUARY 23, 2026 Paloalto.gov
February 23, 2026
•Report back from the Oversized Vehicle (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee regarding
follow-up information
•Responsive to October 20, 2025 Council direction on addressing OSV impacts
PURPOSE / OVERVIEW OF COUNCIL ITEM
Paloalto.gov
SINCE OCTOBER 20, 2025...
•17 street segments deep cleaned (street cleaning, debris removal, tree pruning, catch
basin & storm drainpipe line cleaning)
•Biweekly street sweeping on streets that have been deep cleaned
•33 OSVs towed after initial outreach and notification did not result in compliance
•Field surveys conducted on 18 affected streets to determine permanent sign locations
•Timely notification, including A-frame signs placed 2 weeks prior to cleaning/sweeping,
windshield flyers, mailers, and outreach
•338 interactions between clients and case managers to build rapport and connect
individuals to case management and services (interactions are not limited to OSVs)
3
OPEN HOUSE FEEDBACK HIGHLIGHTS
•Calls for tighter enforcement
•Cost concerns
•Safe parking support
•Concerns raised that issues are not
currently equally shared citywide
•Neighborhood impacts & street-
specific hotspots
•Divergent views on permits vs. bans
•Requests for faster action, increased
accessibility, and diverse engagement
3
Melissa McDonough
Assistant to the City Manager
Melissa.McDonough@PaloAlto.gov
650-329-2533