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Council sends Palo Alto Commons expansion back to planning commission after neighbors raise concerns
Summary
City Council voted 4–3 to refer a proposed expansion of Palo Alto Commons back to the Planning & Transportation Commission for redesign options that would move new units away from Wilkie Way neighbors. The substitute motion asks staff and applicant to explore projects with 11–13 units that avoid upper-floor additions facing backyards.
PALO ALTO — The City Council on Tuesday voted 4–3 to send a contested planned-community amendment for Palo Alto Commons (4075 El Camino Way) back to the Planning & Transportation Commission for further design review, after months of neighbor complaints about parking, privacy and daylighting.
The substitute motion, carried by a 4–3 roll call, directs staff and the applicant to develop revised plans that would reduce or relocate third‑floor additions that face homes on Wilkie Way and to study options for projects in the 11–13 unit range that remove the most impactful upper‑floor units facing the rear yards. "The intent would be the ones that are closer, whatever that means…those would be removed," Council member Burt said during debate.
Why it matters: The project would add new assisted‑living/medical units to an existing campus. Neighbors and council members said the central issues are long‑running: on‑site parking has not matched prior expectations; staff said a prior TDM (transportation demand management) plan was not…
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