Palo Alto Launches Plan to Reimagine San Antonio road Corridor as a ‘15-Minute City‘
Palo Alto, CAโ – October 8, 2025 – The City of Palo Alto is initiating a comprehensive planning effort to transform the San Antonio Road corridorโ into a more vibrant, pedestrian-amiable “15-minute city,” aiming to provide residents โwith convenient access to daily needs within a short walk or bike ride. The enterprising project, unveiled this week, seeks to address concerns โabout traffic congestion, limited housing options, and a perceived lack of community spaces along โthe heavily-trafficked artery.
The plan envisions a shift away from the area’s current character – often described as a “concrete jungle” – towardsโ a mixed-use surroundingsโ prioritizing local businesses, increased housing density, and improved transportationโ infrastructure.โข This initiative directly responds โto growing community demand for more sustainable and livable neighborhoods, and aims to alleviate pressure on downtown Palo Alto while โfosteringโ a stronger sense of place along San Antonio Road. The project’s success hinges on balancing advancement with the existing character of the area and addressing potential impacts on traffic and parking.
The San antonio Road planning area, encompassing approximately 1.7 miles between Elโฃ Camino Real and โMiddlefieldโข Road, has long been โคdominated by โauto-oriented businesses and sprawling โคparking lots. City officialsโข hope โto encourage a more compact, walkable design through zoning changes and incentives for developers. Key elements of the plan include allowing for increased building heights, promoting โa mix ofโข residential and commercial uses, and prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements.
“Weโค want to create a San Antonio Road that is a destination, โnot โฃjust a drive-through,” explainedโ City Planner lisa Martinez during a community meeting on October 7th. “The goal is to ensure residents can easilyโข access groceries, healthcare, parks, and other essential services without needing to rely on a car.”
The city’s planning process will โinvolve extensive communityโ engagement, including workshops, surveys, and public hearings. The first phase, focused on gathering input and developing a draft plan, is expected to conclude โขin the spring of 2026. Following public review, the plan will be presented to the City Council for approval, with implementation anticipated to begin in late 2026. The long-term vision extends beyond immediate infrastructure changes, aiming to cultivate a thriving local economy and a โขstrongerโฃ sense of community along Sanโค antonio Road.