Who We Are:
We are a Citywide organization of residents concerned for our City’s future. We are actively involved in issues that are in agreement with our Principles and Goals as we strive to keep Palo Alto a unique place for raising families and fostering business innovation.
Our Mission:
Palo Altans for Sensible Zoning (PASZ) is a grass roots, political action committee dedicated to a high quality of life for Palo Alto residents and the innovative spirit that has made Palo Alto unique. We are for sensible land use planning and development and will continue to be advocates for mitigating the negative impacts of excessive development.
Our Vision:
We envision a dynamic Palo Alto that remains a family-oriented community with excellent schools, infrastructure and community services. Technology and business innovation are part of Palo Alto’s heritage and should be fostered. We envision a City that is not overwhelmed by excessive development. We value diversity, our historic resources, our neighborhoods, parks and open spaces, and support projects that enhance our quality of life
Our Goals:
- Ensure that the pace of development does not outstrip our infrastructure, schools and City services, or compromise the beauty and character of our City.
- Encourage Housing that Allows for a Diverse Economic Population
- Maintain our Community as a Great Place to Live
PASZ NEWS
EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions expressed in the news items cited here do not necessarily represent the opinion of Palo Altans for Sensible Zoning. We try to present a balanced picture of the news on the subjects of housing and legislation.
Local control is slipping away
By Ann Duwe
While every city in California was trying to create an acceptable housing element, the city councils, their consultants and we, the citizens, lost sight of the larger picture. What is slipping away is our ability to participate in shaping the communities where we live.
YIMBYism is as progressive as it gets
By Bilal Mahmood
Progressivism is a movement to advance the human condition through social reform. Its policies are based on the idea that government should have a role in ensuring a social safety net — be it through tenant protections, guaranteed income or affordable housing.
This opinion piece appeared in the SF Chronicle in August 2022. It is reproduced here with all the comments.
RHNA v. Reality
By Bob Silvestri
On June 21, 2021, the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate (“Petition”) in Superior Court, to which the cities of Redondo Beach, Lakewood, Torrance, Cerritos, Downey, and Whittier were subsequently added as petitioners, alleging that the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) determination of regional housing needs administered by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) was incorrect,.
It Can’t Happen Soon Enough
By Tom Campbell
Last February, Catalysts hosted a Zoom conversation with highly regarded state and national politician Tom Campbell. We talked about California housing policy, and he described his goal to improve government policy and services by creating a Common Sense Party.
As you’ll read in his update, the Common Sense Party is picking up steam. Many of us have changed party affiliation in support of Tom’s vision and commitment to common sense.
SB4 (Wiener) Planning and zoning: housing development: higher education institutions and religious institutions.
The Planning and Zoning Law requires each county and city to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for its physical development, and the development of certain lands outside its boundaries, that includes, among other mandatory elements, a housing element. That law allows a development proponent to submit an application for a development that is subject to a specified streamlined, ministerial approval process not subject to a conditional use permit, if the development satisfies certain objective planning standards.
A Conversation with Palo Alto Candidates Doria Summa and Ed Lauing
Watch our video of the recent in-depth conversation with candidates Doria Summa and Ed Lauing.
RHNA and ABAG demographic projections are way too high
Posted by: Gaetan Lion – January 9, 2023 – 7:25am
California agencies make demographic projections that are way too high. In turn, they result in housing units to be developed that are also way too high.
STATE USURPING KEY POWERS FROM CITIES
BY THOMAS D. ELIAS
All over California last fall, hundreds of the civic minded spent thousands of hours and millions of dollars running for posts on city councils and county boards.
Some of them may now be wondering why they bothered. For over the last three years, state government has gradually usurped almost full jurisdiction over one of the key powers always previously held by locally elected officials: The ability to decide what their city or county will look like and feel like over the next few decades.