Council approves rezoning at 70 Encina for 10‑unit townhouse project amid calls for larger Town & Country master plan

PALO ALTO — On April 14 the Palo Alto City Council approved a rezoning and record of land use action for 70 Encina Avenue, allowing a proposed 10‑unit, townhouse‑style condominium project under the city’s Planned Home Zoning (PHZ) process. The vote was unanimous.

The project, proposed by Stormland Company and designed by Hayes Group Architects, would replace a small portion of the rear parking area of Town & Country Shopping Center with 10 townhome condominiums organized around a shared 30‑foot central courtyard. Two of the units would be deed‑restricted below‑market‑rate (BMR) units at 80% of area median income (AMI), providing a weighted public‑benefit value above the PHZ minimum.

Why it matters: The parcel sits within a transit‑rich area close to Caltrain and bus service. Supporters said the site is a good infill housing opportunity and praised the applicant’s decision to scale the previously proposed larger building down after early council feedback. Opponents — including Ellis Partners, the operator of Town & Country, and several planning commissioners — argued that the site should be planned comprehensively with adjacent parcels and that the proposed density, setbacks, and reduced tree canopy could hamper future coordinated redevelopment and conflict with…