The University Palms project, which includes a six-story office and retail complex on a 2.6-acre site, was proposed almost three years ago by developers Owen Byrd and Tony Carrasco, who own the property on University Avenue. This week, the city council rejected the proposal because they felt it was too big for East Palo Alto—a city that has avoided large office and retail structures in the past.

The city has recommended that the developer scale back the project, which is slated to include a public plaza, ground floor retail space, and five stories of office space. University Palms could have brought up to $200,000 a year in much-needed sales and property tax revenues, according to developer statistics.

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