CITY OF PALO ALTO, CA
South of Forest Area
Coordinated Area Plan,
Phase 1

Project: Specific Plan, Development Standards and Prototypes
Scale: Ten Blocks near Downtown Palo Alto
Date: SOFA 1 Plan adopted 1999; Construction 2000-2004
Client: Lisa Grote, Chief of Planning, City of Palo Alto
Role: Principal, Kendall Planning + Design

This Specific Plan for 50 acres just south of downtown Palo Alto focuses on redevelopment of about 10 acres of land vacated by Palo Alto Medical Foundation as well as mixed use infill development in an adjacent commercial industrial district. The Plan evolved over a year of intensive community participation, including public hearings, workshops and monthly meetings with a 15-member Working Group, which included area residents, business owners, property owners, and housing, open space, preservation, transportation and other planning advocates. The Medical Foundation, as the major landowner, participated in the Working Group and in negotiations with the City about plan details such as preservation of historic buildings, provision of affordable housing and a child care site.

The Plan includes a new 2-acre neighborhoo d park, 40 acres of affordable family housing developed by a local non-profit, a child-care center serving the downtown area, and significant new housing at densities between 10 and 50 units per acre in this convenient area near transit and downtown services. Detached housing continues established patterns of small lots, rear cottages, and bungalow court housing, interspersed with relocated historic houses, creating a seamless transition to the surrounding historic neighborhood. The Development Standards and Design Guidelines ensure design compatibilit y between new buildings and the historic neighborhood. This is the first Coordinated Area Plan prepared under the City's newly adopted Comprehensive Plan.

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THIS PROJECT SHEET OPEN A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS WINDOW
CLOSE THIS WINDOW