When you see something like this (940 and 960 High Street, Palo Alto, CA): - 8 minutes walk from Palo Alto Caltrain, or from University Avenue in the center of downtown - zoned for 35 foot high residential construction (RT-35) - in a location that has had high rents for years 1/3
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Then I think it's clear the city is placing obstacles in the way of construction of housing. Maybe it's the zoning (RT-35, part of the SOFA II plan) which, while it says it's for 35-foot residential or mixed use, doesn't really allow what you'd think that means. 2/4
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This restrictive zoning includes the floor area ratio (FAR) limit of either 1.15:1 or 1.3:1 (!!!!), the setbacks (15 feet front and sides, 10 feet rear), and the parking requirements (1 space per 1 bedroom or smaller unit, 2 spaces per 2 bedroom or larger unit). 3/4
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Or maybe it's the amount of process that @cityofpaloalto puts in the way of any construction that isn't a single family home or a zoning-conformant office building or other business. 4/4

Dec 24, 2020 · 11:53 PM UTC

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In late 2003 (I think, the date on the final SOFA II report is December 2003), the RT-35 zone was created, with 55 parcels zoned RT-35. I just clicked on all 55 of them in the @cityofpaloalto parcel reports at xmap.cityofpaloalto.org/parc… . 5/6
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How many of those 55 parcels zoned RT-35 were developed in 2004 or later (by "Year Built SCCA")? None! (The 10 parcels zoned RT-50 did a little better; 2 were developed: 101 Forest and 801/809 Alma.) I'd say this makes it pretty hard to call the SOFA II plan a success. 6/6
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Oh, and of the 2 RT-50 parcels that were developed: 101 Forest (only partly in the RT-50 zone) doesn't look like it has any housing. I think it's Philz Coffee plus office. 801 Alma is a 100% affordable housing complex built with the city's affordable housing money.
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