Status Update on the City's Appeal of SFO Development Plan Approval

Status Update on the City's Appeal of SFO Development Plan Approval

Published on January 29, 2026

Palo Alto is impacted by three arrival routes into San Francisco International Airport (SFO). These routes have had an ongoing negative health impact on our community and intensified due to the implementation of the Federal Aviation Administration'sNextGEN Initiative.The City is committed to working with our citizens, Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), SFO, SFO's Community Roundtable, neighboring city and county agencies, regional airports, noise groups, and all stakeholders associated with air traffic in Silicon Valley to find solutions which restore the quality of life of our community.The City has dedicated staff time, hired expert noise and aviation consultants, outside counsel and federal legislative consultants to advocate forourgoals and assist with community education efforts.

Status Update

In December, the City of Palo Alto appealed the San Francisco Planning Commission's November 20, 2025, decision to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the San Francisco International Airport's Recommended Airport Development Plan (RADP), as outlined in Planning Commission Motion No. 21870. The appeal asserts that the FEIR inadequately addresses environmental impacts such as noise and air quality due to its reliance on future growth assumptions rather than current conditions, conflicting with CEQA requirements. The City submitted timely comments during the public comment period and has copied these appeal materials to the Environmental Review Officer.

Additionally, the City contested the San Francisco Airport Commission's December 16, 2025, approval of the RADP, stating it prematurely relies on the non-final certification of the FEIR, violating both CEQA Guidelines §15090(b) and San Francisco Administrative Code §31.16(b)(3). The City insists the Airport Commission set aside its approval pending resolution of this appeal.

Last week, the City submitted additional documentation in support of our appeal. The San Francisco Planning Department issued a response essentially defending the EIR.

The appeal hearing is scheduled for Thursday February 3, 2026 at 3 p.m.

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