January 28, 2026 Update

In December we shared that the City of Palo Alto appealed the San Francisco Planning Commission’s November 20, 2025, decision to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the San Francisco International Airport's Recommended Airport Development Plan (RADP), as outlined in Planning Commission Motion No. 21870. The appeal asserts that the FEIR inadequately addresses environmental impacts such as noise and air quality due to its reliance on future growth assumptions rather than current conditions, conflicting with CEQA requirements. The City submitted timely comments during the public comment period and has copied these appeal materials to the Environmental Review Officer. Additionally, the City contested the San Francisco Airport Commission's December 16, 2025, approval of the RADP, stating it prematurely relies on the non-final certification of the FEIR, violating both CEQA Guidelines §15090(b) and San Francisco Administrative Code §31.16(b)(3). The City insists the Airport Commission set aside its approval pending resolution of this appeal.

Last week, the City submitted additional documentation in support of our appeal.

The San Francisco Planning Department issued a response essentially defending the EIR. 

The appeal hearing is scheduled for Thursday February 3, 2026 at 3 p.m.