Woodland Park inclusionary housing compliance
Summary
The council rejected an ordinance that would have exempted projects of 20 units or fewer from inclusionary housing requirements until the countywide nexus study is complete. Opponents said it would permanently lose about 17 affordable homes and $2 million in fees; supporters argued the requirements make small projects impossible to build. The issue will return when the study concludes in 2027.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Nov 10, 2026.
Impact analysis
Staff estimated the exemption would have cost about 17 affordable units and roughly $2 million in in-lieu fees — just 3% of the city's housing pipeline.
Small and 'mom and pop' developers and would-be builders of small infill projects would have benefited from the exemption.
Opponents argued the city's lowest-income residents would lose permanently affordable homes and that displacement would accelerate.
Mentions & discussions (7)
City Council - Nov 10, 2026
Two public hearings will decide how the big Woodland Park projects satisfy the city's affordable housing rules — 119 affordable rental units plus 5 ownership units in one project — and how rent-stabilized units get replaced. This affects how much affordable housing actually gets built and protections for current renters.
City Council - Oct 20, 2026
Sand Hill's plan to replace 766 units at Woodland Park with fewer, shallower-affordability units and the loss of local businesses has residents fearing displacement. The council pushed the decision out two weeks demanding answers.
At eleventh hour, East Palo Alto kills ordinance that would have lowered affordable housing standards
At eleventh hour, East Palo Alto kills ordinance that would have lowered affordable housing standards Palo Alto Online
City Council - Jul 21, 2026
The council rejected an ordinance that would have exempted projects of 20 units or fewer from inclusionary housing requirements until the countywide nexus study is complete. Opponents said it would permanently lose about 17 affordable homes and $2 million in fees; supporters argued the requirements make small projects impossible to build. The issue will return when the study concludes in 2027.
City Council - Jul 7, 2026
The Sand Hill development agreement amendment revises inclusionary housing alternatives, impact fee timing, and water and storm drainage obligations for the Woodland Park Euclid project. Woodland Park tenants packed the hearing demanding the company honor maintenance repairs and build the promised 160 rent-controlled units.
City Council - Jun 16, 2026
Sand Hill wants changes to its deal to build 550 units (160 rent-stabilized) on Euclid, including paying $12M toward Ravenswood School District's 430-unit affordable teacher housing instead of building 78 off-site units. Council wants a better price before approving.
City Council - Jun 9, 2026
The city proposed temporarily slashing its inclusionary housing requirements by about 60% to encourage stalled housing projects to move forward while a county nexus study finishes in 2027. Nearly all 40+ public speakers opposed it, warning it would reduce future affordable units and speed displacement. The council split 2-2 and punted the decision to a future meeting.
Related development
O'Keefe-Manhattan Improvements at Woodland Park
The hearing will determine how the project satisfies its affordable housing obligations; residents can weigh in on October 20.
West Bayshore-Newell Improvements at Woodland Park
The hearing will determine how the project satisfies its affordable housing obligations; residents can weigh in on October 20.
Sand Hill Development Agreement Amendment (Woodland I / Woodland Park Euclid Improvements Project)
The deal unlocks about 980 units citywide including 430 affordable units on Ravenswood School District land, plus a park, community space, and water tank — but only if council and the developer agree on a stronger package by July 7.
Temporary Housing Development Incentive Program (THDIP)
Could unlock immediate construction on roughly 34 entitled townhome units, but affordable housing advocates warn it gives away inclusionary benefits on small projects.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
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