About

An Option to Purchase

Stanford University entered into an option to purchase agreement with Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) in September 2021 to work toward Stanford’s purchase of the 46-acre campus. This followed NDNU’s announcement of a new vision to transition to a university offering graduate programs and undergraduate degree completion programs. That shift led NDNU to consider selling its campus in Belmont.

Stanford is exploring the possibility of purchasing the NDNU campus with a goal of continuing the property’s nearly 100-year history of academic use and to further its mission of teaching and research to advance knowledge and understanding for the betterment of humankind.

The agreement provides Stanford with an option to purchase the property by mid-2025. NDNU and Stanford will remain separate academic institutions.

Proposed Conceptual Development Plan

In October 2022, Stanford submitted an application to the city of Belmont for a Conceptual Development Plan (CDP) for the NDNU campus property. The application submittal is the first step in a comprehensive regulatory process led by the city to study Stanford’s high-level vision to redevelop the campus. This includes a package of community benefits that was informed by discussions with local residents and stakeholders.

For more information about Stanford’s plan, please view the University’s CDP application to the City of Belmont.

Initial goals for the Belmont Campus include: Adapting the existing campus to accommodate Stanford's long-term needs. Revitalizing the campus to allow for academic and community users. Conserving natural resources through sustainable land use. Promoting a healthy and diverse community and economy in Belmont.

Environmental Review of CDP

In May 2023, the City of Belmont announced that they approved a contract with a consulting firm to prepare an environmental analysis of Stanford’s recent Conceptual Development Plan (CDP) application for the NDNU campus property. This is one of the early steps in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process, which examines potential environmental impacts of land use projects in California.

On June 6, the City of Belmont Planning Commission held a meeting to gather public comment on the scope of work for the environmental review of Stanford’s CDP application. During the meeting, Stanford presented information highlighting key elements of the CDP, including:

Expanding and continuing the academic use of the campus
Providing housing units for Stanford affiliates on campus
Design features that complement the natural topography of the campus

Please visit the City of Belmont's website to view a recording of the meeting and view presentation materials here.

The City and its consultants will work to create a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) over the next year. Once the Draft EIR is released, a formal public review process will begin, with final consideration of the report anticipated in early 2025.

Acquiring the Belmont Campus

The agreement includes the possible purchase of the main NDNU campus in Belmont, including Ralston Hall, Koret Field, NDNU Theater, and Cunningham Chapel. The property included in the agreement is outlined above with a yellow dashed line.

Notre Dame Preschool, Notre Dame Elementary School, Notre Dame High School Belmont, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Province Center, and Water Dog Park are not included in the agreement.