Mountain View City Council Regular Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Mountain View City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 6:32 PM (following a closed session at 5:31 PM). The meeting included presentations, a consent calendar, oral communications, and two public hearings on major housing developments. The council approved a mixed-use development at 490 East Middlefield Road and a row house development at 515-545 North Wisman Road, both with significant affordable housing components.

Consent Calendar

• Item 4.1: Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 36 (Zoning) to implement the Economic Vitality Strategy, streamlining permits, removing change-of-use requirements, and reducing parking minimums for retail/personal services. Approved unanimously (6-0-1, Councilmember McAllister absent).
• Item 4.2 (Pulled): Facade Grant Program improvements. Councilmember Hicks proposed prioritizing placemaking and historic improvements (originally also downtown focus). After discussion, the motion was amended to focus on placemaking and historic improvements without limiting to downtown. Approved unanimously (6-0-1).
• Item 4.1 required reading of the ordinance title; the rest of the consent calendar was approved as one motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications (Non-Agenda):
  • Bob Rich (Los Altos resident) raised concerns about foxtail overgrowth at the annex park, calling it a fire hazard and danger to dogs. He urged the city to clear debris after cutting. No action taken; council noted the comments.
• Public Hearing 6.2 (490 East Middlefield Road):
  • Albert Jeans (Mountain View resident) questioned the parkland dedication calculation, stating the project should provide more than $1.2 million given the expected population. He argued that the city’s formula for parkland fees is unclear.
  • Eli Rollis (Carpenters Union Local 405) urged the selection of a responsible general contractor that ensures fair wages, safety, and apprenticeship programs.
  • Andrew Wills (Slater neighborhood resident) expressed concern about TCE exposure during construction and asked about EPA communication and monitoring.
  • Paul Donahue (Mountain View resident) supported the proposed loading cutout to improve safety for cyclists and reduce conflicts with ride-share vehicles.
• Public Hearing 6.3 (515-545 North Wisman Road):
  • Albert Jeans again critiqued the parkland dedication calculations and argued that the city needs to secure parkland from developers to serve new residents.
  • Andrew Wills opposed the removal of 139 heritage trees, stating many healthy trees along the frontage could be saved. He asked the council to reject the plan or require a redesign.
  • Gabrielle Heilek (North Wisman Road resident) expressed concerns about the massing of three-story row houses adjacent to single-story homes and urged preservation of heritage trees for canopy and air quality.

Discussion Items

• Presentation – Women’s History Month Proclamation: Vice Mayor Clark read a proclamation recognizing March as Women’s History Month, with a theme of “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” Katie’s Ogwin of the League of Women Voters accepted and spoke about the league’s work. Councilmembers praised the league’s civic engagement and voter education efforts.
• Presentation – Retirement of Roger Jensen: The council honored Roger Jensen, the city’s first CIO and IT Director, who is retiring after 12 years of service. Jensen was recognized for modernizing IT, implementing cybersecurity, enabling remote work during COVID-19, and leading the city’s AI policy. Councilmembers and staff thanked him for his leadership.
• Public Hearing 6.2 – 490 East Middlefield Road Mixed-Use Development:
  • Staff Presentation: Principal Planner Diana Pancholi presented the project: an 8-story, 460-unit apartment building with 9,371 sq ft of ground-floor retail, 29 heritage tree removals, and a development agreement. The project uses state density bonus (27.5% bonus) for 15% affordable units (60 units at 65% AMI). It includes one concession and six waivers. Staff recommended approval.
  • Applicant Presentation: Brian Griggs and Andrew Jacobson (Development Partners) emphasized housing and vibrancy, with smaller units, generous amenity spaces, and ground-floor retail. They noted collaboration with staff and the developer’s commitment to affordable housing.
  • Council Questions: Concerns included the proposed loading cutout (duckout) along Middlefield Road, loss of green space, and lack of a neighborhood meeting. Councilmember Hicks worried about replacing green space with concrete. Councilmember Kamei requested speed limit signs on Middlefield. Councilmember Shulaker raised vapor barrier issues due to the MEW groundwater plume. Councilmember Ramirez asked why no neighborhood meeting was held; applicant cited timeline pressures.
  • Outcome: Motion to approve staff recommendation by Councilmember Ramirez, seconded by Councilmember Shulaker. Vote: 6-0-1 (McAllister absent).
• Public Hearing 6.3 – 515-545 North Wisman Road Row House Development:
  • Staff Presentation: Advanced Planning Manager Eric Anderson presented the project: 195 three-story attached row houses on a 10-acre site, with 139 of 151 heritage trees removed, 46 BMR units (25% of base) including 28 at moderate income (100-120% AMI) and 18 at 180% AMI average (alternative mitigation). The project requests 20 waivers and one concession for unit dispersal. Staff recommended approval.
  • Applicant Presentation: Brian Griggs and Jonathan Boriak (KTGY) highlighted the 46 ownership BMR units, noting the city currently has only 14 such units. They acknowledged the missed neighborhood meeting and pledged to hold one for future projects. They emphasized collaboration with EPA on site contamination and the goal of middle-income homeownership.
  • Council Questions: Councilmember Ramirez questioned the concession for unit dispersal and the 180% AMI price proximity to market rate. He expressed frustration with the housing typology, noting the opportunity cost of 10 acres for row houses instead of higher density with more open space. Councilmember Kamei asked about saving some frontage trees. Councilmember Hicks and Mayor Ramos also pressed for tree preservation. Councilmember Shulker noted 20 waivers seemed high but many were minor.
  • Outcome: Motion to approve staff recommendation by Councilmember Kamei, seconded by Councilmember Shulaker. Vote: 6-0-1 (McAllister absent).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (6-0-1): Ordinance amending zoning to implement Economic Vitality Strategy (Item 4.1).
• Approved (6-0-1): Facade Grant Program improvements focusing on placemaking and historic improvements (Item 4.2).
• Approved (6-0-1): Planned community permit, development review permit, heritage tree removal, and development agreement for 490 East Middlefield Road mixed-use project (460 apartments, 60 affordable units, 29 heritage trees removed, $1.2 million for parkland acquisition, $1.2 million for retail tenant improvements, and other public benefits). Second reading set for March 24, 2026.
• Approved (6-0-1): Planned community permit, development review permit, provisional use permit, and vesting tentative map for 515-545 North Wisman Road row house project (195 units, 46 BMR units, 139 heritage trees removed, with alternative mitigation for middle-income ownership).
• Other: Council noted oral communications regarding foxtail hazards; no action taken. Council reports included attendance at State of the Valley conference, Little League first pitch, and recognition of former Los Altos Town Crier editor Bruce Barton.