Palo Alto has finally approved a new comprehensive plan for the city, seven years overdue. The outline will guide development in the city through 2030. The population is expected to grow by 8,000 to 10,000 people during this time, and anywhere from 3,500 to 4,500 units will be added.

The plan outlines the city’s outlook for housing, transportation, and parks. Non-residential development is capped at 1.7 million square feet, which does not include the 1.3 million square feet that were already approved for the Stanford University Medical Center. The plan also preserves existing ground-floor retail and puts limits on their displacement, and promises regular coordination with the Palo Alto Unified School District over land use and development.

As for housing, the City Council has directed staff to support the development of new housing and the preservation of existing housing. Staff will soon initiate discussions with Stanford about the proposal for developing housing at Stanford Research Park and Stanford Shopping Center. The city is also already looking into the redevelopment of the Fry’s Electronics site, which would include multi-family homes.

Palo Alto spokeswoman Claudia Keith told the Mercury News that the City Council emphasized the protection of certain neighborhoods, such as downtown Palo Alto, where there isn’t a lot of land left to develop.

The plan will take effect in mid-December after an environmental review is certified.