The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is currently considering Stanford University's application for a General Use Permit, or GUP, which would authorize construction of an additional 3.5 million square feet of academic and other facilities on the Stanford campus. As the campus borders San Mateo County, the impacts on housing, transportation and the environment would be felt by San Mateo County residents. The development would add:

  • 9,610 new students/employees;
  • 5,500 new jobs;
  • and only 550 new housing units.

The Coalition for Stanford GUP Accountability, consisting of local public agencies, calls on Stanford to mitigate the impacts of this unprecedented growth on surrounding communities. Read what the coalition has to say in, "Stanford Expansion Only Benefits Stanford: Local Taxpayers Would Feel the Pain from University's Massive Expansion."

This page includes resources and updates on efforts by the coalition to ensure Stanford is held accountable. The County of San Mateo, City of Redwood City, Town of Woodside, Town of Atherton, City of East Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park and the Town of Portola Valley comprise the coalition.

 

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has two hearings scheduled to discuss Stanford's application: 

October 22 at 6 p.m. in the Palo Alto City Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto

November 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose

You can find materials for the meetings posted to the Board of Supervisors website. Materials are usually available some time after 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the Tuesday Board meeting.

Written comments may be submitted to: Boardoperations@cob.sccgov.org

 

For details on Stanford's development proposal, visit th​e County of Santa Clara's Planning and Building Department's website.

A view of the Stanford campus

A view of the Stanford campus

News

Oct. 18, 2019
Stanford Expansion Only Benefits Stanford: Local Taxpayers Would Feel the Pain from University’s Massive Expansion

The news that Stanford University continues to push for approval of 3.5 million square feet of new development without addressing community impacts reveals a stubborn and outdated belief that what’s best for Stanford is what’s best – period. Learn more.

May 6, 2019 
County of San Mateo, Cities Urge Santa Clara County to Help Hold Stanford Accountable for Impacts of Campus Expansion
The County of San Mateo and seven cities have sent a letter to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors urging them to help hold Stanford University accountable for the anticipated impacts to housing, traffic, the environment and residents if it is allowed to expand its campus by more than 20 percent. Read the news release.

July 4, 2018
Comment Letter on the Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report Regarding Stanford University's General Use Permit Application
"We believe that, overall, the recirculated portions of the DEIR are a missed opportunity to respond to the significant issues that San Mateo County and others raised in our comments on the original DEIR." Read the letter from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Jan. 23, 2018
Comment Letter on the Draft Environmental Impact Report Regarding Stanford's General Use Permit Application
"Many of the project’s significant impacts, particularly on transportation and housing, will be experienced within San Mateo County." Read the letter from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

 

Stanford is applying to Santa Clara County for the development of:
  • 3,500,000 net new square feet of academic/academic support development and student housing (2,600 student beds)
  • 550 net new faculty/staff housing units
  • 40,000 square feet of net new building area for childcare centers and trip reducing facilities
  • 50,000 square feet of temporary construction space

 

Stanford University's land holdings span San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

Click on the map to learn more..

communityforum_2017_0125_lands_1.png

Stanford lands within San Mateo County total 3,002 acres:

  • 2,701 acres in unincorporated San Mateo County
  • 114 acres in Woodside
  • 111 acres in Menlo Park
  • 76 acres in Portola Valley

Source: facts.stanford.edu/about/lands/