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.
Are YIMBYs on the Verge of Winning San Francisco’s Housing War?
Written by Josh Koehn
Published Oct. 16, 2023
In the dog days of summer, while many California state legislators were vacationing or raising campaign money during the monthlong recess, Scott Wiener was convening secret meetings. The state senator and a close-knit crew of housing wonks were hatching a plan to make an 11th-hour amendment to one of his bills—one that would surely raise the hackles of some of his fiercest critics.
Zone changes aim to meet housing surge in south Palo Alto
By Gennady Sheyner / Palo Alto Weekly
Uploaded: Fri, Oct 13, 2023, 8:46 am
With some reservations, planning commissioners endorse package of reforms to meet Housing Element goals
Palo Alto’s plans to create a new housing hub on a stretch of El Camino Real, south of Oregon Expressway, received rave reviews this week from area developers, though one major builder suggested on Oct. 11 that it may still rely on state laws to override local zoning laws.
A ‘company town’? Stanford housing plan raises concerns in Palo Alto
by Gennady Sheyner / Palo Alto Weekly
Wed, Oct 11, 2023, 3:23 pm
City urges county to limit Stanford’s future housing growth largely to campus
As Santa Clara County prepares to approve new policies governing Stanford University’s growth, a key goal is to ensure that Stanford supplies enough housing on its campus to accommodate a growing workforce.
But as the county Board of Supervisors looks to adopt the new Stanford Community Plan next week, one question remains unanswered: To what extent should Stanford be allowed to lean on surrounding cities, most notably Palo Alto, for housing sites?
Elias: Don’t believe state’s low-growth forecast
by Thomas D. Elias
October 11, 2023
The state Department of Finance in 2013 predicted California would have 52.7 million residents by 2060, but now figures the number will be 39.51 million, just about the same as today.
Two things you can count on when it comes to ballyhooed state forecasts on things like California’s housing and population: They’ll be incompetent and inconsistent. Usually, they will also be outdated even before they’re issued.
Gavin Newsom signs YIMBY-backed law to fast-track homebuilding
By Sophia Bollag, Clare Fonstein
Oct. 11, 2023Updated: Oct. 12, 2023
California is expanding a housing law that has led to the construction of thousands of new units amid the state’s ongoing housing crisis, under a measure signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The law extends a policy enacted in 2017 that requires cities that fall behind on their state housing goals to streamline approval of some projects. That law was set to expire at the end of 2025 but will be extended, with modifications, until 2036.
Demand fades for luxury condos in San Francisco
By TRD Staff
OCT 11, 2023, 11:30 AM
The market for luxury condominiums in San Francisco has fallen into the doldrums as demand fades during an oversupply from hundreds of luxury condos flooding the city in the last five years. Fewer of the city’s new fancy condos in Downtown, where more than a third of the offices stand empty, find takers. The sluggish sales may be blamed on higher interest rates, which have forced local and foreign buyers to hit pause on purchases.
Where are California’s most affordable homes?
Butte County is best. Santa Cruz is worst.
By JONATHAN LANSNER
October 11, 2023
”Survey says” looks at various rankings and scorecards judging geographic locations while noting these grades are best seen as a mix of artful interpretation and data. If you want a quasi-affordable California home, look far from the coast and the big cities. My trusty spreadsheet reviewed third-quarter homebuying affordability stats for 578 big US counties – including 35 California counties.
Don’t believe state’s low-growth forecast
by Thomas D. Elias
October 11, 2023
The state Department of Finance in 2013 predicted California would have 52.7 million residents by 2060, but now figures the number will be 39.51 million, just about the same as today.
Two things you can count on when it comes to ballyhooed state forecasts on things like California’s housing and population: They’ll be incompetent and inconsistent. Usually, they will also be outdated even before they’re issued.