[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6623126,"mediaKeyId","2776925-a22ff9c97188a5e237519d38b4577ff1","parentId",2776925,"title","Council narrows R3 rezoning: 14 change areas endorsed, mixed density approach set for study","audioSeconds",1049,"startMs",12426871,"endMs",13476500,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776925-a22ff9c97188a5e237519d38b4577ff1&start=12426&end=13476","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776925-a22ff9c97188a5e237519d38b4577ff1/thumbnail_12426871.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623126/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Council-narrows-R3-rezoning-14-change-areas-endorsed-mixed-density-approach-set-for-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623126-7536bec1379aa0147e1ee42e282a4955/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100870&Signature=LvU9~fJO2YuJyuQu6eFYbpNFk3Oggqq782NEWc32ekYztFPDrV6Udi0e59i4WDWZitqeP8akW7Da18foO3oht7wwMWVLNmj~XigjyIcUNKIh5BTYjzCv8rH-kVLbRWgD5atyu1BlJr7Fz9LdeV8ZX9Tb970G4Z0YMVkaAoXKT9ZqBYlyW3lL4Bf6zKq9ZZn8GU4SN6PAZKFVKovMnS30Q2v0mL6769XxCmzH1kfHuAjJrhL7RtOcanw2qb0IiVlazOMRZf5vInHrJOx3blnbUzGmA1yiouUVUHxmAF-vXHnVRbKTdxyCC576MKFQFZBT3eZhnCkwZ7I5l8Vwppefdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coty of Mountain View","date","2025-03-26T07:56:28.59Z","article","The Mountain View City Council advanced the long-running R3 zoning-district update on March 25, directing staff to proceed with environmental review and code drafting that reflect a set of targeted change areas and a mixed-density framework.

Background and goals: City staff said the update has been in process since 2020 and must align with state housing law and the citys housing-element programs. Eric Anderson, Advanced Planning Manager, said the councils goals for the update include supporting diverse unit types, better design through form-based standards, downtown- and neighborhood-serving commercial uses, compliance with state law and the Housing Element, and targeted density increases on larger parcels and in areas with the highest feasibility for redevelopment. Anderson told the council staff had identified 14 change areas that best matched those goals after multiple outreach rounds; the Environmental Planning Commission recommended those 14 areas.

Densities and options: Staff presented three density-pathway options: Option 1 (R3 D2) would set a higher base and allow up to six stories in the city-designated R3 D2 subzone; Option 2a would set a lower base (four stories) and rely on the state density bonus pathway for taller projects; Option 2b would leave base densities unchanged and propose a local bonus to meet feasible densities. Staffs feasibility work found that to reach typical prototype development thresholds (replacing rent-stabilized units with permanently affordable units, adding public open space and feasible unit counts) projects would likely need six to seven stories or a local/state bonus to be financially feasible.

Council direction: Councilmembers and the commission emphasized transition treatments where higher-density change areas abut lower-density (R1) neighborhoods. After debate the council gave staff direction to proceed largely with the EPC-recommended 14 change areas, with an instruction to include additional limited parcels identified by staff and public testimony (parcels mapped as candidate additions for small-scale condominium or townhome redevelopment). On density, the council directed a mixed approach: most change areas should be studied under Option 2a (a four-story base with state density-bonus pathways for additional height), while the Del Medeo South area (a larger site with limited residential adjacencies) should be studied under Option 1 (a six-story R3 D2 base). Councilmembers also asked staff to study limited portions of several change areas (for instance parcels nearer 85/freeway corridors or segments where existing screening reduces neighborhood impact) with higher base densities where appropriate.

R2 integration and displacement concerns: The citys housing element includes a program to identify R2 parcels to integrate into R3 in high-opportunity areas. Staff proposed criteria intended to affirmatively further fair housing; the council endorsed the EPC recommendation to apply that program south of El Camino Real near downtown while excluding parcels directly adjoining rear yards of R1 properties. The council and public also urged aggressive tenant-protection measures, including right-to-return or local replacement rules to implement the sunset of SB 330-era constraints and the citys forthcoming local replacement ordinance.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with environmental review (CEQA) and prepare the draft ordinance text and form-based standards; the project will return to council with draft standards and an environmental analysis. Staff will also coordinate additional outreach with affected neighborhoods and commissions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting of Mountain View City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Mountain View council on March 25 directed staff to study 14 R3 change areas and to pursue a mixed-density approach: most areas will be evaluated with a four-story base plus state-density-bonus pathways while at least one larger site (Del Medeo South) will be studied at a six-story base.","taxTitle","Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2861,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623130,"Council study session flags limited staff capacity, directs review of CIP priorities and several projects",451,5935585,6387125,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776925-a22ff9c97188a5e237519d38b4577ff1&start=5935&end=6387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776925-a22ff9c97188a5e237519d38b4577ff1/thumbnail_5935585.jpg","/articles/6623130/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Council-study-session-flags-limited-staff-capacity-directs-review-of-CIP-priorities-and-several-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623130-8406eeb42cb2c094d87e7c09c3700e90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100870&Signature=BhG6JxiMkuL~tyrdmtnPcbXq~uvp7ofpaUSnR3d5iNr3wpAoMcdJkFg2PSA7JyhJBipXlnJHKx42gDgIETcPOQB96z31pPLQiv1wpVYSEmAI~BqBw5eDSKECdTAd7QRk010JcAQXAehRK2WR3t3N9FPY7lb4KdSTf6CkSXcheSjI-HFLb77hC-oLVUZEI6zr0FwPOlEXp1T9Qo3s0iQ2-vYlc1AIF0gX-ggJuQvYJAcNqJLmI3ydbZx2pcW0MbOS854a3rgi8y39nOHq-dSASQE7AnMagS-kiDcgDiCiu4udA0Sv8WQGTAES0jCskdfqz4I~Tj97OVcICE9SzKKvoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mountain View City Council held an extended study session on March 25 to review the draft capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal years 2025–2030 and to give staff direction on project priorities and trade-offs.

Public-works staff told the council that the city is carrying a large project backlog and that public-works project managers are managing far more projects than typical industry norms. Jennifer Ng, the citys Public Works Director, said the CIP is a critical planning tool and that the current portfolio contains roughly 303 active projects, with public works managing 243 of those. Ng told the council the plan is a mix of nondiscretionary projects (maintenance and replacements) and discretionary projects, and that unrestricted (flexible) funds have declined and are likely to constrain new projects in Year 1 of the CIP.

Assistant Public Works Director and City Engineer Ed Arango presented a pavement update and funding analysis. He said the citys pavement-condition index (PCI) had declined to 67 from 71 and outlined the projected investment needed to maintain or raise that metric: approximately $6.5 million per year is the current baseline, a minimum of $8 million per year would be required to stabilize PCI, and roughly $14 million per year would be needed to improve the index by five points over five years. Arango said staff will prioritize pavement projects but noted a heavy project backlog and limited staff capacity.

Council and public comment focused on active-transportation priorities, the potential for road diets to reduce long-term pavement costs and increase shade and livability, and on whether grant-funded projects are being elevated without an explicit accounting of staff impacts. Several public speakers urged the council to prioritize safe active transportation projects. James Kuzmolt, a public speaker, framed the trade-off in public-safety terms: “How we spend our resources, our budget, our staff time, our road space should reflect the urgent safety need the city has,” he told the council.

Staff questions to council and council direction: Faced with constrained unrestricted funding and limited staff capacity, staff asked for councils guidance. The council asked staff to: (a) prioritize nondiscretionary projects funded by unrestricted funds first; (b) evaluate which roll-forward discretionary projects might be deferred; and (c) identify specific new discretionary projects the council would like moved forward, noting that any new work will require trade-offs. Specific items the council asked staff to analyze further or to consider for deferral included: North Bayshore wayfinding/signage work, select school-site or school-district facility projects that are on hold for coordination, several turf-replacement/resurfacing replacements, the proposed citywide traffic-signal operations center (planning/design), and some shoreline and Caltrain-crossing projects that depend on outside agencies.

Stevens Creek Trail extension and El Camino protected intersections: Council members also discussed the Stevens Creek Trail extension (a multijurisdictional project requiring Caltrain coordination and multiple bridges) and asked staff to evaluate whether construction should be deferred by a year; council members expressed differing views but asked staff to return with additional analysis. On El Camino Real, council asked staff to study protected intersections and related protected-bike-lane improvements; staff will return with safety and coordination analysis, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Parks & Recreation Commission will be briefed during the CIP process.

Next steps: Staff will present a revised CIP at a second study session in May, bring the CIP back for adoption in June, and coordinate the updated CIP with advisory bodies. Staff also said it is rolling out a project-management system and expects beta testing within the next six months to improve scheduling and tracking.","In a lengthy study session the Mountain View City Council was briefed on the draft FY2025–2030 Capital Improvement Program, heard that pavement-condition funding has lagged and staff workloads are stretched, and asked staff to evaluate deferring or re-sequencing several projects while prioritizing essential non-discretionary maintenance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623135,"Mountain View council adopts rent-control clarifications, approves clean-energy grant applications",887,7466000,8353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776925-a22ff9c97188a5e237519d38b4577ff1&start=7466&end=8353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776925-a22ff9c97188a5e237519d38b4577ff1/thumbnail_7466000.jpg","/articles/6623135/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Mountain-View-council-adopts-rent-control-clarifications-approves-clean-energy-grant-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623135-f80f40efe906b43291060e5282bfbbb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100870&Signature=SrxfLrsFRy7KBJT5fvbLn3NJIdrDmTCPFNykAfi-kmYO800cQqe2Bo0vHFnaWtkKUwiPYfSvs551EZ7cL7S8JxyWehLs2jpZ7z4jhWCbSjhuXFwpkQY42b91l7k7nrHr60UhP3-IFgdVdrEstAm2MwRUqrvmgz~jkcoZfMyz-9koUV0mgfZP8n-9X3Sc9KZkVJvFZ30vZLhfpblZOyi6iJzUQoXfUZlnb2YFWZy0Eu-HpdlMG2-4UOGG948pC0217-DRcw9mqEmklwB8Slhlx-vZk3278OodQ4Wn2VEwl8UGrnRXJvNhbY49z49gRMGjjbU0Ky5nEcHMd9zsmSuYQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mountain View City Council on March 25 adopted multiple consent-calendar items, including code amendments clarifying rent-increase rules and authorization for staff to apply for Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) grants to add battery storage at the senior center and to expand the citys water-heater rebate campaign.

The council approved an ordinance amending sections of the Mountain View City Code related to rent increases and below-market-rate units. At the meeting Councilmember Chris McAllister said he intended to register a no vote on one item earlier in the process, though the consent motion was ultimately recorded as approved. That same motion included appointments to the Affordable Housing/Bridal Housing Committee and an extension of an exclusive-negotiating agreement for the 87 East Evelyn Avenue affordable housing site.

Why it matters: The rent-code amendments are intended to clarify how rent increases are calculated for certain rental categories; the SVCE grants would provide equipment and rebates intended to lower community greenhouse-gas emissions while improving local resilience.

Details: The councils consent motion bundled several items. The ordinance on rent-related code changes (item 4.2 on the agenda) was read in title only and moved as part of the consolidated consent package. Related items adopted included appointments to an advisory committee and authorization to extend a negotiating period for an exclusive negotiating agreement tied to an affordable housing site at 87 East Evelyn Avenue.

On a separate consent item (4.7), the council directed staff to apply for three Silicon Valley Clean Energy grants: a competitive decarbonization grant of $1,000,000 for battery storage at the Mountain View Senior Center; a noncompetitive grant of $341,460 for the same site; and a competitive engagement grant of $100,000 for the citys water-heater campaign. The motion said that, if awarded, the city would accept and appropriate up to $1,444,460 for sustainability projects (Project 2099). Councilmember McAllister and others noted the citys history and relationship with SVCE during the debate.

Council debate: Several council members used the consent discussion to press staff about trade-offs when pursuing grant-funded projects. Councilmember Michelle Showalter warned that securing many grant-funded projects can de facto set staff priorities and risk stretching limited in-house capacity; she said staff should be candid about impacts on deliverability. Councilmember Karen Hicks and others expressed support for the clean-energy projects themselves, noting that SVCE was established in part to return profits as local grants and that battery storage would support community resilience during outages.

Votes: The consent calendar motion was moved and seconded and the items were adopted as described. The SVCE grant authorization (item 4.7) passed on a recorded vote of 6-1 (Councilmember Michelle Walter cast the lone recorded no). The broader consent calendar was approved as moved by the council; the official record shows the consent motion carried and the attached ordinances and resolutions were read in title only.","At its March 25 meeting the Mountain View City Council approved a package of consent items including amendments to local rent-control rules and authority to apply for Silicon Valley Clean Energy grants for battery storage and a water-heater campaign. Council discussion touched on staff capacity and trade-offs for grant-driven projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council narrows R3 rezoning: 14 change areas endorsed, mixed density approach set for study

Council study session flags limited staff capacity, directs review of CIP priorities and several projects

Mountain View council adopts rent-control clarifications, approves clean-energy grant applications