Advocacy Win! Palo Alto Council Defers Housing Zoning Amendment Over Sea Level Rise Concerns East of Highway 101
At its October 26th meeting, the Palo Alto City Council unanimously agreed to defer a proposed zoning amendment that would explicitly reaffirm a pathway for new housing development east of Highway 101.
Responding to concerns raised by Bay Alive, the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, and Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge, a majority of Councilmembers questioned the appropriateness of additional housing in this vulnerable area and favored revisiting the City's housing policy east of Highway 101 before acting on the amendment.
Why does this matter? Sea level rise and rising groundwater pose growing threats to Palo Alto's Baylands. Expanding housing in this vulnerable area would put more people and property at risk, increase future flood protection obligations, and potentially consume space needed for habitat migration and nature-based adaptation.
This is an important step toward ensuring Palo Alto considers its long-term shoreline resilience needs before opening the door to additional development. We'll keep advocating as the City considers where new housing does, and doesn't, belong!