3980 El Camino Real / Buena Vista

December 2025 Update

Eight years ago, the City joined with the County of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara County Housing Authority to preserve affordable housing in Palo Alto by purchasing the Buena Vista Mobile Hmoome Park. This has enabled long-time residents who were threatened with displacement to retain their homes and children at the Park to continue to attend Palo Alto schools. After pausing the vision to redevelop Buena Vista with new mobile homes and a new 61-unit apartment development because of cost concerns and impending funding deadlines, the Housing Authority determined that the redevelopment project, as originally envisioned, is no longer feasible. While the original project is no longer moving forward, the Housing Authority is upgrading the park’s failing infrastructure, increasing livability and safety for its residents. The new infrastructure project continues long term home affordability, and will ensure that all current residents can stay and those who own their homes remain homeowners.

With a mix of State and federal funding, and Housing Authority investment of $5 million, the park improvement plan will include comprehensive utility upgrades (water, sewer, gas, and electric systems replacement), and new street lighting, street re-paving, and new laundry and maintenance facilities. Residents will be temporarily relocated to allow for the construction project to proceed. Relocation notices will be sent to residents this week, with all residents expected to be back in their homes with improved park conditions by the fall of 2026. Residents can opt to return to their current home or to purchase a new mobile home.

To prepare for the construction project, the Housing Authority is assisting Buena Vista residents by identifying temporary housing options and assisting residents with the relocation process.

The Housing Authority continues to evaluate the potential for development of an apartment building in the future and the City supports this. Until that time, improving living conditions and safety in the near-term are key aspects to the work advancing in early 2026.

Archived Project Documents

Application #: 24PLN-00041

Request for a Major Architectural Review Board application to allow the redevelopment of the Buena Vista Village mobile home park into two parcels, featuring a new affordable housing development with a 61 unit multi-family apartment building on one parcel and a 44 unit, occupant owned mobile home park on the second parcel.

Environmental Assessment: Pending.
Zoning District: RM-20 (Multifamily Residential)

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Buena Vista Redevelopment EA - September 2024(PDF, 8MB)
Appendix A: Air Quality and GHG Report(PDF, 11MB)
Appendix B: Phase I ESA - September 2023(PDF, 66MB)
Appendix C: Explosives and Fire Hazards(PDF, 2MB)
Appendix D: Noise and Vibration Assessment(PDF, 10MB)
Appendix E: Geotechnical Report(PDF, 7MB)
Appendix F: Transportation Study(PDF, 7MB)

Environmental Review Report
ERR California Historical Resources Palo Alto(PDF, 415KB)
ERR County Liquefaction Hazard Zone(PDF, 1MB)
ERR EJScreen Community Report(PDF, 1MB)
ERR Fish and Wildlife Species List(PDF, 290KB)
ERR Sole Source Aquifers(PDF, 198KB)
ERR U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts(PDF, 232KB)

Archived Related Application

Related Application

Application #: 23PLN-00348

Request for review of an SB330 for the Rehabilitation of the existing Buena Vista Village Mobile Home Park in Palo Alto located at 3980 El Camino Real. This redevelopment includes replacing all units, replacing all utilities, and converting to 100% electric. The park will be redeveloped as a hybrid model that includes both coaches and a multi-family apartment building, including new site amenities and landscaping. The 44 new occupant-owned units include 1, 2, 3 & 4BR units consisting of Park Model RVs and manufactured Housing (mobile homes). The new 3-story apartment building consists of 61 family units-with unit sizes ranging from Junior 1BR, 1BR, 2BR and 3BR units.

Environmental Assessment: Pending.

Zoning District: Open Space (OS).

Initial Submittal Plans(PDF, 21MB)