Council approves amendments to Funding & Joint Use Agreement and TDR MOU with Los Altos School District; expands TDR window and extends joint‑use deadline

The City Council on Sept. 9 approved negotiated amendments to the 2018 Funding & Joint Use Agreement (FJUA) and the transfer‑of‑development‑rights (TDR) memorandum of understanding with the Los Altos School District (LASD). The amendments extend deadlines for delivery of joint‑use recreation facilities, add flexibility for the district to choose school size and type consistent with California Department of Education guidance, and extend the TDR MOU term to 2039.

Assistant City Manager Audrey Seymour Ramberg reviewed the background. LASD purchased an approximately 11.65‑acre site in the San Antonio Center area (former Kohl's/JoAnn Fabrics site) and the city previously paid for joint‑use recreational/open‑space areas and park improvements under the FJUA. The 2018 agreements envisioned a neighborhood‑serving school and specified community benefits; LASD and the city subsequently entered a meet‑and‑confer process after LASD did not complete the joint‑use improvements by the original Sept. 30, 2024 deadline.

Under the amendments approved by council, the proposed changes include: - Extending the delivery date for the four‑acre joint‑use area to Sept. 30, 2030; - Allowing LASD greater discretion over school type and size using California Department of Education standards (the district indicated it may pursue a TK–8 layout in schematic design); and - Extending the TDR MOU term to Jan. 29, 2039 to give more time for projects to complete and for TDR proceeds to be generated.

The amended FJUA also provides that proceeds received after a specified point would be split 50/50 between the city and the district, producing a higher potential city share of TDR proceeds depending on future transactions. City staff explained the degree to which the school itself would serve Mountain View residents will depend on the school type ultimately chosen by LASD; staff noted LASD retains authority over school enrollment and configuration, and the EIR analyzed a range of potential school sizes (the EIR envelope included up to a 900‑student school).

Public speakers and neighborhood advocates raised safety and fairness concerns, urging the city to retain stronger neighborhood‑serving guarantees. City staff and LASD representatives told council the districts board reviewed and adopted support for schematic design and the proposed amendments in a meeting the night before.

Council voted 4–2 to approve the amendments. Staff emphasized that the councils decision preserves the citys park and joint‑use objectives while recognizing changing enrollment projections and the district's jurisdiction over school programming.

Ending: Staff said the revised agreements will be executed consistent with council direction. Council members urged continued coordination on circulation, safety and community access as LASD and the city work out the master planning and design for the site.