Palo Alto Council approves 660 University Avenue planned-community rezoning after heated hearing, with tree protections and parking conditions

The Palo Alto City Council voted to approve the planned‑home zoning (PHZ) and related land‑use actions for 660 University Avenue after extended public testimony on Nov. 10, 2025. The approved project as debated in the hearing would allow a six‑story mixed‑use building with roughly 66–70 residential units, about 1,984 square feet of ground‑floor office space and two levels of below‑grade parking. The council recorded its final approval after amending the staff recommendation and restoring spillover‑parking mitigation requirements; the final vote was 4–1 in favor.

The project team described the history and revisions to the proposal, including a reduction from a previously considered 70‑unit design to 66 units to respond to Planning & Transportation Commission recommendations addressing the canopy of an adjacent coast live oak. Applicant Lund Smith said the team "care[s] a lot about the tree. We wanna save the tree," and emphasized their willingness to work with staff on mitigation and to proceed through city review rather than pursuing a builder's‑remedy path.

Staff planner Emily Callas told the council the proposal would include an 8% parking reduction (78 stalls proposed) supported by a…