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NEIGHBORHOOD TOWN HALL SUMMARY & CITY FOLLOW-UP
Summary
- Thanks to John Wade King (Barron Park) and Ron Chun (Palo Alto Orchards) for hosting. Neighborhood leaders from Green Acres I & II and Monroe Park also attended.
- These neighborhoods hosted the first town hall in 2022 as part of an eight-meeting series that took place over two years.
- The May 20 meeting continued the City Council priority effort, with agendas developed collaboratively by neighborhood leaders, Council members, and City staff.
Recent Development & Retail Updates, Coordination of Neighborhood Issues Such as Traffic, Bike and Pedestrian Access, Public Safety,
Planning & Development Updates
- Staff discussed increased development activity driven by recent state housing laws, including two approved seven-story multifamily projects on El Camino Real and new affordable housing projects such as teacher housing at 3265 El Camino Real.
- The City continues working with developers to improve design, compatibility, and safety, despite reduced local control under state law.
- The Creekside Inn project is being revised to align with El Camino Real Focus Area regulations.
- Retail preservation efforts and updates to retail ordinances are also underway.
Transportation Updates
- The City adopted a 2025 Safety Action Plan focused on reducing speeding and improving safety on high-injury corridors.
- Speed surveys now allow expanded police radar enforcement and additional message signs.
- Staff encouraged participation in Safe Routes to School and highlighted the new Bicycle Safety Garden.
- Planning continues for the South Palo Alto Connectivity Project pedestrian/bike undercrossing near El Dorado.
- El Camino Real repaving includes ADA improvements, protected bikeways, and pedestrian safety enhancements. With the loss of parking on El Camino, staff continues to work with impacted businesses.
Community Questions/Action Items:
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Community noted not being made aware of projects as they advance. Staff shared an understanding of community frustration, and the lack of tools cities have with some projects such as housing. Noting staff work to help guide developers through a process that is more collaborative and with more involvement where possible. The City has a permit portal to track project applications at www.paloalto.gov/permitview.
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Community interest in more speed enforcement and exploring a camera system that San Francisco is authorized to implement. Staff noted that it is a pilot program that has been authorized as through state legislation and at the moment Palo Alto is not able to participate, perhaps in the future. Sign up for Transportation Connect to receive transportation updates and learn about projects, priorities and more: www.paloalto.gov/newsletttersignup
- Request for more details on the Chimalus trail upgrades noting some community members are against the idea. City Manager Shikada shared Council added funding for the project in the City’s Capital Improvement Program in 2027, with community engagement as the next step.
- Concerns were raised about e-bikes and e-motos near schools. Staff and police are coordinating with Palo Alto high schools on education and enforcement.
- Residents raised concerns about traffic, driveway access, and pedestrian safety near El Camino Real development projects.
- Staff reported over 3,300 multi-family housing units currently in the development pipeline toward the City’s 6,000+ housing goal. Learn more about the City’s housing dashboard at www.paloalto.gov/housing
Public Safety Updates
Palo Alto Fire Department Updates-
- If the doors are closed, it means our crew is either out on a call or we're in the station training, getting ready. And so there's constantly stuff going on, but that door is a connection to our community and we look at it that way. So when the mural was installed on the Apparatus bay door, it means a lot to us because it's our connection to the community and we're very grateful for the input.
- Each one of our stations has a specialty in town, beyond responding to fire and EMS calls. This station is called on deck for wildfires, including wildland fire deployments, with our crew here is expert trained in wildland fire deployment.
- Today was the first day that we have deployed our new heart monitors which you can see in that corner over there. Those heart monitors are going to save lives. They do everything from 12 lead EKGs that transmit to the hospital and work directly with the cardiologists. Our crews are trained as expert consults to talk to cardiologists and get definitive care to the patient as quickly as possible.
- The reason why we send our fire engines up to do the wildland inspections instead of a fire inspector, is because we want our crews to continuously be familiar with the conditions.
Palo Alto Police Department Updates
- Regarding the potential closure of Churchill, the Council ultimately elected not to advance and instead continue a holistic response involved the placement of security guards and observers at each of the rail crossings not just at Churchill, and this will continue through the remainder of the calendar year, with the hope that the school district will continue to be a financial partner.
- Oversized vehicle displacement from the El Camino Real bike lane installation, had an impact around town, and new enforcement tools are available, including the ban on the parking of detached trailers along the roadway. Additionally, Palo Alto joined several other cities passing an ordinance that bans renting of oversized vehicles, that does not penalize the tenant, it penalizes the person who is renting. Progress continues in terms of the number of vehicles on the street due to staff enforcement.
- Retail theft continues to decline, noting a continued state grant to support.
- Staffing continues to be a focus and the Chief shared recruitment and training updates.
- The Chief also shared updates on traffic enforcement, noting traffic complaints are both legitimate and heard. Sometimes staff must respond to 911 calls for service to backfill regular patrol staffing. Target to build back the team. Posted speed limits and radar are additional tools used.
- Regarding e-motos and e-bikes, PD staff are partnering with the high schools and inspect bikes that are being brought to school/parked in the bike cages and tagging them to let them know that they're not lawful on the roadway and intercept those as they're leaving campus.
- Crime updates include residential burglaries year to date are 13% lower than they were at the same time last year. Auto burglaries year to date are about 25% lower than they were this time last year.
Community Questions/Action Items:
- Concerns about speeding on Matadero with the neighborhood requiring as much time as Stanford. Staff acknowledged the frustration and noted the safety issues raised, committed to adding this area to staff’s patrol list. The Chief also encouraged the community members to call in reports again, as needed.
- Resident shared concern about Bol Park trail and safety concerns with bicyclists not calling out noting pedestrians and runners are also sharing the path. Staff noted the concern and mentioned having the motorcycle traffic team go out to educate and enforce.
- School area off Matadero safety concerns, noting speeding and other issues. Staff committed to stage an officer to help enforce and educate.
- Miranda stop sign far from the intersection and resident noted surprise there are not more car collisions at that location near the hospital. Requested police to drive by and take a look at that intersection and signage.
- Similar concern that a resident had about the Bol Park trail, is the pedestrian path on the other side of Arastradero, beyond Terman Park noting safety issues with cyclists not calling out, with a very heavy pedestrian corridor.
- Request for enforcement on and near Arastradero and Maybell noting vehicle safety concerns and also e-bikes/teens safety issues.
- Red curb request for areas of Barron Park, to restrict parking at or on the intersections. Staff mentioned dedicating enforcement towards this effort as well.
Buena Vista Mobile Home Park Updates
- Infrastructure upgrades funded by Santa Clara County Housing Authority will improve utilities and safety. The City pledged continued advocacy and coordination with residents and the Housing Authority.
- The Housing Authority expects that notices to residents will be going out within the next few weeks so that the construction can start in July. What that means is residents will need to relocate temporarily for what is expected to be about a 10-month construction period.
- If you hear or hear concerns or questions, you can contact us. We can contact the Housing Authority and ensure follow-up to get questions answered.
Community Questions/Action Items:
- Interest in a program to “adopt a plant” to support Buena Vista residents during this time of relocation.
- A community member asked how any residents will be temporarily relocated. According to the Housing Authority, at this time there are 48 households that will be temporarily relocated for the utility upgrades project. Community members may contact the Housing Authority with other questions by emailing BVplanning@scchousingauthority.org. Additionally, the City’s project page can be found here.
General Community Question & Answer Session
- Residents discussed concerns about state housing laws limiting local control. The City Attorney noted absent a change in the way that the courts interpret the California Constitution, that's going to be a really serious obstacle for any city attempting to change existing state law.
- Concern raised about Buena Vista relocation of students that live in the area and benefit from after school programs. Both the Housing Authority and the Palo Alto Unified School District are committed to ensure enrollment can continue.
- Continued conflicts and parking concerns on Arastradero due to the traffic calming measures. Staff noted the importance of bike facilities in town and regionally, and nationally.
- Resident noted frustration about the closure of Cal Ave. to cars, noting vibrant Los Altos.
- Complaints about lack of city services in the area, but on balance supporting affordable housing,
Find the meeting agenda and flyers. Report street conditions, safety issues, and more at PaloAlto311.
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