Stanford's Portola Terrace moves into permitting; town, developer describe timeline, mitigation, BMR units and $100,000 transportation-study condition

Planning and Building Director Sarah Cororus and consultant Jamie Bourne told the commission that the Portola Terrace project (approved by the Town Council in December 2024) is now in the building permit phase and that multiple permit applications were submitted in late 2025 and January 2026.

"The project was approved by the town council on December 5th of 2024," Jamie Bourne said, and the entitlements include the planned unit development approvals, conditional use permit, vesting tentative map, architectural review, site development permit, density bonus and the affordable housing plan and agreement, as well as certification of the final EIR.

Bourne said the project site covers roughly 75.2 acres with about 64 acres preserved as permanent open space and that the approvals establish 30 residential lots with a total of 89 residential units, including 12 below-market-rate (BMR) units in three buildings.

Staff reported permit applications received on Dec. 30, 2025 (demolition, tree removal, grading, model plan building permits and final map) and additional applications on Jan. 29, 2026 (encroachment permit and site development permit related to a fire access road and trails). Initial staff comments have been issued and several resubmittals are under review.

An applicant-provided preliminary schedule projects initial construction activity the public may notice (construction fencing, staging areas and tree-protection measures) followed by demolition and stump removal; if reviews and resubmittals proceed on schedule, rough grading could begin in late spring to early summer 2026.

Commissioners asked about unit type and affordability. John Dano of Stanford said 37 units are intended for sale to Stanford faculty under ground leases and 12 units are the project's BMR (below-market-rate) rental units: "37 units will be sold to Stanford faculty and the 12 units are BMR units," he said. Dano added that Stanford has a ground-lease structure and a right of first refusal to help maintain the faculty housing pool over time.

Commissioners asked about other project conditions. Staff said a $100,000 transportation study payment is required as a condition of approval and is expected to be made by Stanford with issuance of the first building permit; the town would scope the study and funds are primarily intended to address Alpine Road impacts. Commissioners also queried an unpermitted temporary construction fence; staff said code enforcement issued an order and Stanford removed the fence promptly.

On ecological protections, Stanford's Chris Wolfman described the biological mitigation program: surveys for nesting birds (survey windows up to 30 days before activity), focused surveys for red-legged frogs and western pond turtles (within 24 hours of activity), and engagement of HT Harvey (the EIR biology consultant) to implement mitigation measures. He said the timing aims to commence tree removal in March so surveys fall within required windows and that tree removals will be managed to avoid nests and comply with mitigation measures.

Staff said project materials, the resolutions (Nos. 2955 and 2956, 2024), the final EIR and FAQs are available on the town project web page and that Stanford maintains a project page and contact information for residents. No formal land-use actions were taken by the commission at this meeting; staff and Stanford will continue permit reviews and public notifications as work proceeds.