(a) On the basis of evidence and testimony presented to the commission at the public hearing, the commission may determine that the public interest will be served either by revising the area being considered for reclassification to include properties not originally part of the application, or by giving consideration to district classifications not originally requested by the application. The commission may, solely at its option, consider additional properties or district classifications, or both.
(b) If the area proposed for reclassification is enlarged, or the district proposed for any parcel is changed to a district of a less restrictive nature than originally cited in the notice of public hearing, additional notice shall be given in accord with Section 18.80.060, and the hearing shall be continued, allowing public consideration of and comment upon the enlarged or less restrictive proposal.
(c) If the modifications, if any, considered by the commission involve the same or a reduced area, or involve alternative districts of a generally equivalent or more restrictive nature than originally cited in the notice of public hearing, no additional notice or hearings shall be required.
(d) If, from the facts presented at the public hearing, including public testimony and reports and recommendations from the director of planning and development services or other appropriate city staff, the commission finds that a change of district boundaries would be in accord with the purposes of this title and in accord with the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan, the commission may recommend such change as it deems appropriate to the council.
(e) If the commission finds that a change of district boundaries, either as requested by an application or as modified by the commission pursuant to this section, would not be in accord with the purposes of this title, or would not be in accord with the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan, the commission shall recommend against any such reclassification.
(f) The decision of the commission shall be rendered within a reasonable time following the close of any public hearing or hearings and the written recommendation of the commission shall be forwarded to the council within thirty days thereof. The recommendation of the commission shall set forth fully the findings and determinations of the commission with respect to the application.
(Ord. 5494 § 3, 2020: Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)