Palo Alto Exploring 'Net Zero' Vehicle Trip Restriction for Commercial Developments

Gennady Sheyner reports on one of the alternatives under consideration at the most recent hearing of the Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission:

"In downtown, the existing cap on non-residential development would be replaced with a 'zero net' restriction on vehicle trips, which means that new development could not result in additional traffic. The policy is similar to the one Stanford University must follow as part of its 'general use permit' agreement with Santa Clara County."

"On El Camino Real, the 50-foot height limit would be relaxed in three areas along the corridor, where new development would be 'models of sustainability,' featuring with small housing units, access to public transit and an emphasis on car-sharing rather than on resident parking, net-zero energy consumption, and net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions. The concept also calls for wider sidewalks, enhancements to bike routes and amenities and local-energy projects such as solar panels all along the corridor."