Atherton City Council
July 19, 2023

Town of Atherton’s 6th Cycle Adopted Housing Element Page 7 April 4, 2023
revised to analyze the ADU and Junior ADU (JADU) requirements and make adjustments as appropriate. Lastly, the program should include proactive outreach.
• Program 3.815 (Conservation and Rehabilitation of Existing Units): The program should clarify whether the Town will provide incentives and commit to proactive outreach.
• Program 3.823 (Equal Housing Opportunity): The program should be revised to include a specific implementation date as well as how the program will be structured and provide measurable outcomes.
• Program 3.824 (Emergency Shelters, Transitional and Supportive Housing): The program must include clear actions for implementation as well as specific timing. • Program 3.841 (Shared Housing): The program should include proactive outreach and describe how the Town will provide support. This program is important to promote housing choice and opportunity in highest resource areas.

2. Identify actions that will be taken to make sites available during the planning period with appropriate zoning and development standards and with services and facilities to accommodate that portion of the city’s or county’s share of the regional housing need for each income level that could not be accommodated on sites identified in the inventory completed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) without rezoning, and to comply with the requirements of Government Code section 65584.09. Sites shall be identified as needed to facilitate and encourage the development of a variety of types of housing for all income levels, including multifamily rental housing, factory-built housing, mobilehomes, housing for agricultural employees, supportive housing, single-room occupancy units, emergency shelters, and transitional housing. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(1).)
As noted in Finding B4, the element does not include a complete site analysis; therefore, the adequacy of sites and zoning were not established. Based on the results of a complete sites inventory and analysis, the Town may need to add or revise programs to address a shortfall of sites or zoning available to encourage a variety of housing types. In addition, the element should be revised as follows:

Program 3.813 (Multifamily Housing Development on School and Other Properties):

This program should be revised to include specific incentives for implementation. In addition, since rezoning was not completed prior to the start of the planning period (January 31, 2023), any rezoning necessary to accommodate the lower-income RHNA must address all by right requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i).

Shortfall of Adequate Sites: The element does not identify adequate sites to accommodate the regional housing need for lower-income households and; therefore, must include a program(s) to identify sites with appropriate zoning to accommodate the regional housing need within the planning period. The program should identify the shortfall by income group, acreage, allowable densities, appropriate development standards and meet all by right requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i), including but not limited to permitting multifamily uses

Town of Atherton’s 6th Cycle Adopted Housing Element Page 8 April 4, 2023
by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households.

Replacement Housing Requirements: While the element was revised to include Program 3.851, it must include a specific implementation date.

3. The Housing Element shall contain programs which assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderateincome households. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(2).) The element must include a program(s) with specific actions and timelines to assist in the development of housing for ELI households. The program(s) could commit the Town to adopting priority processing, granting fee waivers or deferrals, modifying development standards, granting concessions and incentives for housing developments that include units affordable to ELI households; assisting, supporting or pursuing funding applications; and outreach and coordination with affordable housing developers.

In addition, the element must also include a program(s), as appropriate, to assist in the development of housing for all special needs households (e.g., elderly, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabilities, female-headed households). While the element includes programs to assist seniors and persons with disabilities, it must include programs for all special needs households. Program actions could include proactive outreach and assistance to non-profit service providers and developers, prioritizing some funding for housing developments affordable to special needs households and offering financial incentives or regulatory concessions to encourage a variety of housing types.

4. Address and, where appropriate and legally possible, remove governmental and nongovernmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing, including housing for all income levels and housing for persons with disabilities. The program shall remove constraints to, and provide reasonable accommodations for housing designed for, intended for occupancy by, or with supportive services for, persons with disabilities. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(3).) As noted in Findings B5 and B6, the element requires a complete analysis of potential governmental and nongovernmental constraints. Depending upon the results of that analysis, the Town may need to revise or add programs and address and remove or mitigate any identified constraints. In addition, the element should be revised as follows:

Program 3.850: While the element was revised to allow group homes for seven or more residents in areas allowing residential uses, the program is limited to persons with disabilities. The program must be revised to allow all group homes for seven or more residents as well as commit to objectivity with approval certainty.

5. Promote and affirmatively further fair housing opportunities and promote housing throughout the community or communities for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other characteristics... (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(5).)

Town of Atherton’s 6th Cycle Adopted Housing Element Page 9 April 4, 2023
As noted in Finding B1, the element must include a complete analysis of AFFH. The element must be revised to add goals and actions based on the outcomes of a complete analysis. Goals and actions must specifically respond to the analysis and to the identified and prioritized contributing factors to fair housing issues and must be significant and meaningful enough to overcome identified patterns and trends. Actions must have specific commitment, milestones, geographic targeting and metrics or numeric objectives and, as appropriate, must address housing mobility enhancement, new housing choices and affordability throughout the Town.

Finally, among other factors, the Town is entirely the highest resource category in access to opportunity, wholly a concentrated area of affluence and predominantly consists of households with the highest median income, a stark contrast to the rest of the region. These conditions and circumstances warrant significant and robust actions (not limited to the RHNA) to promote housing mobility and increasing housing choices and affordability throughout and beyond the Town, including in lower-density neighborhoods. As part of implementation, HCD encourages the Town to aggressively pursue numeric targets and geographic targets throughout the Town, including lowerdensity neighborhoods. In addition, the Town must report on progress in implementation and should annually evaluate the effectiveness of programs in promoting inclusion throughout the Town. Based on this evaluation, the Town should consider appropriate and additional actions (e.g., missing middle housing types and targeted funding or other strategies to encourage affordability) to further promote housing choices and affordability in all areas of the Town, including lower-density neighborhoods.

6. Develop a plan that incentivizes and promotes the creation of accessory dwelling units that can be offered at affordable rent... (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(7).) Program 3.812 (New Construction of Affordable Accessory Dwelling Units): While the element was revised to include timing of each action, it is unclear how affordability will be established. The program should be revised to clarify actions to establish and track affordability.

D. Quantified Objectives
Establish the number of housing units, by income level, that can be constructed, rehabilitated, and conserved over a five-year time frame. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (b)(1 & 2).)
The element must include quantified objectives to establish an estimate of housing units by income category that can be constructed, rehabilitated, and conserved over the planning period. While the element includes these objectives by income group for moderate- and above-moderate income, the element must also include objectives for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income households. In addition, the element should include quantified objectives for rehabilitation and conservation for all income categories.

Town of Atherton’s 6th Cycle Adopted Housing Element Page 10 April 4, 2023
E. Public Participation
Local governments shall make a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the Housing Element, and the element shall describe this effort. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd.(c)(9).) While the element includes a summary of public participation, the element should describe how public comments relating to feasibility, fair housing, and geographic equity were considered and incorporated into the element.

CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION

JOINT STUDY SESSION/COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

DRAFT MINUTES

TOWN OF ATHERTON
Monday, June 19, 2023
6:00 pm
This meeting was held virtually and in-person.

1. ROLL CALL

CITY COUNCIL
PRESENT: Elizabeth Lewis
Rick DeGolia
Stacy Holland
Bill Widmer, Mayor

CITY COUNCIL
ABSENT: Diana Hawkins-Manuelian, Vice Mayor

PLANNING COMMISSION
PRESENT: Bob Polito

PLANNING COMMISSION
ABSENT: Nancy Lerner
Perry Narancic
Randy Lamb, Vice Chair
Eric Lane, Chair
Staff: City Manager George Rodericks, Deputy City Attorney Anthony Suber, Principal Planning Consultant Geoff Bradley, Senior Planner Radha Hayagreev, Associate Planner Sean Manalo, and Assistant Planner Christabel Soria-Mendoza were present.

2. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Widmer called the meeting to order at 6:00pm and conducted opening remarks with an introduction of Geoff Bradley, Principal Planning Consultant (M-Group).

3. COMMUNITY WORKSHOP/PRESENTATION
Geoff Bradley, Principal Planning Consultant presented on various topics related to the Housing Element, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Needs Assessment, Standards related to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH), Housing Programs to Address AFFH, and Site Selection Criteria for Multi-Family Housing. Geoff Bradley,

Principal Planning Consultant invited members of the public to address the Council and Commission during two community discussion periods in the presentation.

There were 26 members of the public who spoke on various issues related to the Town’s increased RHNA allocation. Comments from members of the public are summarized below:
• Consider local efforts in other jurisdictions such as Los Angeles County and San Diego for the effect of non-compliant Housing Elements and possible challenges to State mandates related to housing.
• Research the possibility of acquiring legal counsel to challenge State mandates related to housing.
• Consider the possibility of working with neighboring jurisdictions (CCAG) and/or County to jointly address the housing concerns.
• What is the feasibility of multi-family housing development in the Town, and what happens if it is not developed?
• Consider the impacts to existing Heritage Tree Protection standards and ordinances from further development.
• What is the impact of SB-9 on the General Plan?
• What are the impacts to traffic on minor arterial, collector, and local streets, from additional development?
• What are the repercussions of adopting a housing element that is not compliant with State Law?
• More development will impact to neighborhood character, • The Town should consider lowering the RHNA allocation with the formation of a subregion.
• Potential multi-family (overlay) development at 23 Oakwood does not comply with the State’s basic criteria.
• What is the current approach to address HCD criteria for an approved Housing Element?
• Multi-family development will negatively impact property values and recreational facilities.
• Priority should be addressing increased crime and safety of the neighborhood. • How is the Town’s reliance on ADUs to meet RHNA impacted by the Grand Jury report from the San Mateo County,
Geoff Bradley, Principal Planning Consultant, George Rodericks, City Manager, and Town Council members present responded to comments and inquiries from the public.

4. ADJOURNMENT
Geoff Bradley, Principal Planning Consultant provided closing remarks. The meeting concluded at 8:05pm.

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
1 Summary of Community Survey
In June of 2023, the Town launched a Housing Element survey with the intent to gain a better understanding of the community’s concerns and potential solutions for potential Multi-Family housing in Atherton. The survey was made up of eighteen questions tailored to Atherton residents but was open to the public, including anyone who works or wishes to live and work in the Town.

To advertise the survey, a quick access link was shared with community members at the Town Hall meeting that took place on Monday, June 19, 2023. Hard copy surveys were also provided for those who requested it.

There was a total of 98 attendees including those in person and on Zoom. One hard copy survey was collected from this meeting and represented in the data analysis.

The Town website hosted the survey through Monday, July 3rd, for other members of the public to provide insight. City Manager Rodericks also included the survey in his weekly newsletter to the community. This was an opportunity to expand the network of respondents as everyone had the necessary information to participate and share the survey with others, including those who received the link to the survey, a notice of the survey, or came across it on the Town Website.

The Town of Atherton website is home to all Housing Element surveys, previous and upcoming meetings, as well as new and updates to the Housing Element:

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
2 A total of 35 responses were collected online and in person and reflected in the summary of results below:

GENERAL DEMOGRAPHICS:

The first four questions of the survey sought to capture the general demographics of the respondents. A summary of the results is provided below:

Question 1: Age
Of the 35 respondents, 77%, are over the age of 55 years old and 23% of respondents are between the ages of 30 and 54 years old. Individuals under the age of 30 years old made up 0% of the survey responses.

Detailed Breakdown for Age of Respondents
• 17 years or under | 0%
• 18 – 29 years | 0%
• 30 – 54 years |22.8%
• 55 – 64 years | 28.6%
• 65 years or over | 48.6%
Question 2: Ethnicity and Race
The ethnic and racial representation of the 35 respondents is below. For this question, respondents could choose more than one, if applicable.

Detailed Breakdown of Ethnicity and Race of Respondents • White | 65.7%
• Asian | 14.3%
• Hispanic / Latinx | 2.9%
• Black or African American | 0%
• American Indian or Alaska Native | 0%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0%
• Other | 17.1%
Question 3: Homeownership in Atherton
The rate of homeownership among respondents is high, 94.3% of the 35 respondents stated that they own their home in Atherton.

Detailed Breakdown for Homeownership
• Own | 94.3%
• Rent | 0%
• Neither/Other | 5.7%

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
3 Question 4: Residency in Atherton
Of the 35 respondents, 67% have resided in Atherton for over 20 years. Approximately 23% of the respondents have resided in Atherton for 11 to 20 years. Approximately 12% of respondents are newer residents to the Town with less than 10 years of residency.

Detailed Breakdown of Residency (in years)
• 0 - 2 years | 2.9%
• 3 - 5 years | 2.9%
• 6 - 10 years | 5.7%
• 11 - 20 years | 22.9%
• More than 20 years | 62.9%
• Not applicable | 2.9%
GENERAL HOUSING QUESTIONS:

Questions 5-9 focused on identifying equity and access concerns, as well as the priorities and preferred housing typologies of respondents. For each question, this summary includes the range of options, selection process, and response.

Question 5: Identifying Housing Equity Issues
Potential equity issues included: limited supply of housing, not enough variety of housing types, and unaffordability. Respondents could also choose: all of the above, none of the above and other. Respondents were encouraged to select all that apply.

Of the three potential equity issues and 34 responses, the results are:
• Unaffordability (16.7%) was recognized as the highest equity issue in Town. • Not enough variety of housing types (11.1%) was the second most identified equity issue.

Limited supply of housing (2.8%) being the least identified equity issue in Atherton. Additionally, 33.3% of the responses stated that there are no housing equity issues while 2.8% selected all as potential equity issues in Atherton. Of the 33.3% who selected “Other” as an option, the following equity issue themes were mentioned:
• Housing on school sites for employees
• The impact rezoning will have on property value
• State control of local issues
Detailed Breakdown of Equity Issues (numbers below represent a count not percentage) • Limited supply of housing | 1
• Not enough variety of housing types | 4
• Unaffordability | 6
• All of the above | 1
• None of the above | 12
• Other | 12

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
4 Question 6: Priorities to Improve Housing Equity in Atherton To understand the priorities for improving housing equity, especially affordable housing in Atherton, community members were asked to identify their priorities or preferences to potential solutions. Of the potential solutions, 20% of respondents support the strategic siting of affordable housing along major corridors as the highest priority to improving housing equity in Atherton. Following that were the options of allowing a mix of housing types throughout the Town and improving resources in low-resource neighborhoods. Respondents were encouraged to select all that apply, which produced a total count of 40 selections.

Detailed Breakdown of Priorities
• Allow a mix of housing types throughout the Town | 12.5% • Improve resources (parks, transit, and food access) in low-resource neighborhoods| 12.5% • Allow more affordable housing in high-resource neighborhoods| 2.5% • Strategic siting of affordable housing along major corridors | 20% • All of the above| 5%
• None of the above | 47.5%
Question 7: Potential Housing Types
To address the statewide housing crisis and work with local jurisdictions to address this issue, survey respondents were encouraged to select all applicable housing types to be potentially used to meet the Town’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Of the 55 total selections, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) were identified as the most preferred housing type to be incorporated into the Town’s housing solution strategy. Other identified preferred housing types included the single detached houses, and duplexes and triplexes. Other suggestions provided by respondents included cottage clusters and senior housing.

Detailed Breakdown of Preferred Housing Types

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
5 Question 8: Barriers to Housing
Atherton is recognized as a high-resource area with high property value Townwide. Consequently, the cost of housing (25.5%) was recognized to be the largest barrier to housing. The second largest barrier to securing housing in Atherton was the lack of supply of available housing (7.1%). Others wrote-in that the Town’s ruralness does not have the capacity to have the few transit corridors be deciding factors for new housing while others were concerned with some “unreasonable” attitudes towards Multi-Family development.

Detailed Breakdown of Housing Barriers
Question 9: Important Criteria for New Housing
In an effort to obtain the community’s vision for housing and their community, the project team asked participants to select all important values to consider when developing new housing. Respondents were not limited to the number of values that they could select. The following factors had 72 selections and are listed in order of respondents’ preference.

Detailed Breakdown of Important New Housing Criteria

1. Preserving the town’s unique character and aesthetics while accommodating new housing | 37.8%

2. Minimizing the impact on traffic congestion and improving transportation infrastructure | 20.3%

3. Prioritizing sustainable and environmentally friendly housing practices | 10.8%

4. Promoting collaboration and partnerships with neighboring communities and stakeholders | 9.5%

5. Ensuring adequate access to quality education, healthcare, and other essential services | 8.1%

6. Balancing the interests of homeowners and renters in housing planning decisions | 8.1%

7. Ensuring affordable housing options are available for diverse income levels | 5.4%

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
6 POTENTIAL HOUSING STRATEGIES:

Questions 10-16 focused on Multi-Family housing and questions 17-18 addressed the Town’s role in addressing the State's housing crisis, providing an opportunity for write-in suggestions. Community members were reminded that the State is requiring jurisdictions to identify opportunities for Multi-Family housing to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH). In doing so, the project team asked respondents to share their concerns and select strategies that they could potentially support.

For questions 10-13, respondents had the option of selecting whether they agreed or disagreed with certain potential housing strategies. A breakdown of the results to 35 responses is below.

Question 10: Locate any new Multi-Family housing near Highways, Arterial Roads & Emergency Access Routes such as: ECR, Stockbridge Ave., Atherton Ave, Middlefield Rd., Valparaiso Ave., Alameda de las Pulgas, Ravenswood Ave.

Agree | 40%
Disagree | 60%
Question 11: Locate any new Multi-Family near Parks and Schools.

Agree | 51.4%
Disagree | 48.6%
Question 12: Locate any new Multi-Family housing near retail services and/or job centers.

Agree | 51.4%
Disagree | 48.6%
Question 13: Locate any new Multi-Family housing near public transit (bus & Caltrain) routes.

Agree | 54.3%
Disagree | 45.7%
Question 14: Support for Objective Development Standards When asked if one would support the implementation of objective development standards, including landscaping requirements, to ensure that Multi-Family housing developments blend harmoniously with the natural environment of Atherton, 60% said Yes, while 34% said Maybe. This gives the Atherton community an opportunity to be involved with and adopt development standards for new Multi-Family housing in Atherton.

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
7 Detailed Breakdown of Support for Objective Development Standards Question 15: Potential Benefits of Multi-Family Housing Further expanding on the potential development of objective standards, respondents were asked to reflect on the benefits they may associate with the construction of Multi-Family housing. Respondents were asked to select all options that applied. 57 selections were made to the associated benefits of Multi-Family housing. • 28% agreed that Multi-Family development would provide more housing for public safety & other essential workers;
• 14% of the responses indicated that the construction of Multi-Family housing could increase affordable housing options;
• 25% of responses reflected that none of the options would be a benefit of Multi-Family housing; • 7% of responses showed support for all the options to be associated benefits.

Detailed Breakdown of the Potential Benefits of Multi-Family Housing

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
8 Question 16: Housing Concerns
Participants were asked to identify their concerns relative to Multi-Family development and were not limited to the number of options selected. Of the 97 selections, the four major concerns were identified to be the possible impact on the character and aesthetics of the town, the potential for increased traffic congestion, the potential decrease in property values, and the increased pressure on existing public infrastructure.

Detailed Breakdown of Housing Concerns
Question 17: Potential Housing Solutions
In an attempt to incorporate the community’s needs and concerns, while also addressing the regional and statewide housing demand, survey respondents were asked to provide insight on potential effective solutions.

Again, respondents were not limited to one selection. Of the potential solutions and 58 selections, • 29% supported the encouragement of ADUs with more incentives. • 17% support increasing density in certain areas while preserving the Town's character • 17% voted that they don’t think this is a problem for the Town.

Detailed Breakdown of Potential Housing Solutions

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
9 Question 18: Request for further Information
If the options to any of the questions were not representative of the community, respondents had the option to write in a response when asked to “Please provide any other information you would like to share with the Town staff & housing consultants regarding the potential location of new Multi-Family housing locations.” Specific write-in responses are provided at the end of this discussion.

Survey respondents that expressed their opposition to dense Multi-Family generally recognized the need to comply with the demand for housing. These participants expressed that the Town should focus on school sites first, then consider Holbrook Palmer Park while preserving the facility and allowing ADUs to be deed restricted. There was also shared support for lot splits including the allowance of half and quarter-acre lots for the Town to consider allowing. Senior housing as potential low-density Multi-Family was supported by a few.

Those in support of Multi-Family housing requested that they be well-designed and well-situated to preserve the Town’s charm. Other feedback requested zoning for Multi-Family on properties owned or acquired by the Town and proposed dense corridors of rowhomes while upgrading the Town’s infrastructure to support more biking to nearby cities and services.

Compatibility and belonging were also a concern for incoming low-income families. Respondents recommend that the State concentrate on improving housing where low-income families currently live instead.

Detailed Breakdown of Anonymous Responses
- “A handful of well designed, well situated Multi-Family projects will be much less destructive to the Town than the results of “ADU-Mania” will prove to be.” - “I would like to encourage the study of housing at Holbrook Palmer Park.” - “I would support multifamily zoning on properties owned or acquired by the Town, as well as in areas near major transportation corridors. I would also support smaller minimum lot sizes.” - “Preserve Atherton, please.”
- “My family has owned their property for over 45 years. 10 years ago, the property might have been worth 2 million. However, recently a lot of the same size sold for about $22 million. There is a problem if developers are able to meet owners buy out price, to simply chunk up the lots. The Atherton community will lose the quiet peaceful environment to simply build overpriced market rate housing to meet the state quotas, when theses market rate housing are made to deteriorate in 10 years & often have musty landscaping.”
- “My personal rights are being taken away - the State has no right to mandate this. It should be put to the voters in CA to decide on by each City/ Town.”
- “I didn’t see anything about the Town allowing big lots to be split. Allowing one acre lots to become 2 half acre or 4 quarter acres. This process should be made easy. It would not Multi-Family housing with 20 units per lot, but it is a way to add more single-family homes, while preserving the Town’s character.”

Attachment 7:

Town of Atherton | June 2023 Community Survey Results
10 - “Atherton is zoned for single property homes and has been since inception. If forced to build homes, then buy unused retail along train corridor or 101 or El Camino (in other towns), annex the space and build 20-40 story high rise apartments like other countries do that have limited land.” - “Multi-family housing at schools makes sense, but not parks. If Multi-Family is built, there needs to be more infrastructure for biking and walking around it to reduce the incentive to add to traffic congestion. Providing deed restricted ADU incentives may be a good idea for Atherton to meet its RHNA low-income housing targets.”
- “Along CalTrain rail line. Select thoughtful limited multi family. Also, north Middlefield near town border with Redwood City.”
- “I'd love to see us build dense corridors of rowhomes while upgrading our infrastructure to support more biking to Menlo Park and Redwood City for access to services.” - “Multi-Family housing should be encouraged on public property and corporate/school property, but NOT allowed on any private residential property.”
- “I believe and hope there will be a proposition on the ballot in 2024 that will reverse SB-9 and SB-10 and put control of housing development back in the hands of cities, towns and counties.” - “Again, absolutely no Multi-family housing on private property.”

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA)

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 2 Selby Lane

EL CAMINO CORRIDOR
Site Acreage: 0.33 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 0.15
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 5 Units (recommended)
R-10 : 3 Units
R-15 : 5 Units
R-20 : 7 Units (recommended)
R-30 : None
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 7
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ Less than 1 mile to Target store on El Camino Real
✓ SamTrans bus routes Access on El Camino Real
✓ High Resource Area
✓ Developed circa 1959
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩 Less than 0.5 acres

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 8 Selby Lane

EL CAMINO CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 0.37 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 1.18
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 5 Units (recommended)
R-10 : 4 Units
R-15 : 6 Units
R-20 : 7 Units (recommended)
R-30 : None
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 7
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ Less than 1 mile to Target store on El Camino Real
✓ SamTrans bus routes Access on El Camino Real
✓ High Resource Area
✓ Developed circa 1959
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩Less than 0.5 acres

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 89 Victoria Drive

EL CAMINO CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 0.32 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 0.40
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 5 Units (recommended)
R-10 : 3 Units
R-15 : 5 Units
R-20 : 6 Units (recommended)
R-30 : None
Total Unit Potential: 6
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ 0.31 mile from Menlo Park Caltrain Station.
✓ SamTrans Bus Routes on El Camino Real
✓ 0.50 mile from grocery stores (Trader Joes & Draegers). ✓ Retail & Health Care services in close proximity
✓ High Resource Area
✓ Developed circa 1955
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩 Less than 0.5 acres

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 99 Victoria Drive

EL CAMINO CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 0.30 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 1.00
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 5 Units (recommended)
R-10 : 3 Units
R-15 : 5 Units
R-20 : 6 Units (recommended)
R-30 : None
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 6
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ 0.50 mile from grocery stores (Trader Joes & Draegers) ✓ Retail & Health Care services in close proximity.
✓ SamTrans Bus Routes on El Camino Real
✓ High Resource Area
✓ Developed circa 1956
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩Less than 0.5 acres

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 97 Santiago Avenue

VALPARAISO AVE

CORRIDOR
Site Acreage: 1.43 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 0
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 10 Units
R-10 : 14 Units (recommended)
R-15 : 21 Units
R-20 : 29 Units
R-30 : None
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 29
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ More than 0.5 acres
✓ Vacant Lot
✓ Owner Interest
✓ 0.50 mile from Hillview Middle School
✓ On SamTrans Bus Route
✓ 0.75 mile to food stores
✓ High Resource Area
Factors Challenging Development:

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 290 Polhemus Avenue

ALAMEDA DE LAS PULGAS

CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 1.7 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 0.84
Zoning Options:

SB 10: 10 Units
R-10: 17 Units (recommended)
R-15: 26 Units
R-20: 34 Units
R-30: None
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 34
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ More than 0.5 acres
✓ 0.42 mile to Woodside High School
✓ 1.4 miles to Lucky Supermarket at Woodside Plaza (RWC) ✓ SamTrans stop across the street (school bus routes only) ✓ High Resource Area
✓ Developed circa 1942
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩Property owner interest unknown

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 999 Ringwood Avenue

BAY ROAD CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 0.99 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 0.01
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 9 Units
R-10 : 9 Units
R-15 : 14 Units
R-20 : 18 Units
R-30 : 27 Units
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 27
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ More than 0.5 acres
✓ 0.50 mile to Laurel School Lower Campus
✓ 0.90 mile to Menlo-Atherton High School
✓ 0.70 mile (15 min walk) to Belle Haven School &
Public Library Branch
✓ 0.39 Mile to VA Medical Center
✓ Bus Stops on Bay Rd & Ringwood Ave
✓ 0.16 mile to Flood Park (less than 5 min walk)
✓ 1.2 miles (walking) to Soleska Market in Belle Haven. ✓ Developed circa 1940
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩Property owner interest unknown

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 352 Bay Road

BAY ROAD CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 0.92 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 1.41
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 9 Units
R-10 : 9 Units
R-15 : 14 Units
R-20 : 18 Units
R-30 : 28 Units
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 28
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ More than 0.5 acres
✓ 0.50 mile to Laurel School Lower Campus
✓ 0.90 mile to Menlo-Atherton High School
✓ 0.70 mile (15 min walk) to Belle Haven School &
Public Library Branch
✓ 0.39 Mile to VA Medical Center
✓ Bus Stops on Bay Rd & Ringwood Ave
✓ 0.16 mile to Flood Park (less than 5 min walk)
✓ 1.2 miles (walking) to Soleska Market in Belle Haven. ✓ 1.6 miles (driving) to Soleska Market in Belle Haven
✓ Developed circa 1941
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩Property owner interest unknown

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 318 Bay Road

BAY ROAD CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 0.94 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 1.34
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 9 Units
R-10 : 9 Units
R-15 : 14 Units
R-20 : 19 Units
R-30 : 28 Units
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 28
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ More than 0.5 acres
✓ 0.50 mile to Laurel School Lower Campus
✓ 0.90 mile to Menlo-Atherton High School
✓ 0.70 mile (15 min walk) to Belle Haven School &
Public Library Branch
✓ 0.39 Mile to VA Medical Center
✓ Bus Stops on Bay Rd & Ringwood Ave
✓ 0.16 mile to Flood Park (less than 5 min walk)
✓ 1.2 miles (walking) to Soleska Market in Belle Haven. ✓ 1.6 miles (driving) to Soleska Market in Belle Haven
✓ Developed circa 1941
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩Property owner interest unknown

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) 296 Bay Road

BAY ROAD CORRIDOR

Site Acreage: 0.93 acres
General Plan Land Use:

Low Density Single Family Residential
Land Value Improvement Ratio: 0.68
Zoning Options:

SB 10 : 9 Units
R-10 : 9 Units
R-15 : 14 Units
R-20 : 19 Units
R-30 : 28 Units
Greatest Total Unit Potential: 28
Factors Supporting Development:
✓ More than 0.5 acres
✓ 0.50 mile to Laurel School Lower Campus
✓ 0.90 mile to Menlo-Atherton High School
✓ 0.70 mile (15 min walk) to Belle Haven School &
Public Library Branch
✓ 0.39 Mile to VA Medical Center
✓ Bus Stops on Bay Rd & Ringwood Ave
✓ 0.16 mile to Flood Park (less than 5 min walk)
✓ 1.2 miles (walking) to Soleska Market in Belle Haven. ✓ 1.6 miles (driving) to Soleska Market in Belle Haven
✓ Developed circa 1957
Factors Challenging Development:
🚩Property owner interest unknown

Atherton 6th Cycle Housing Element
Identified Multi-Family Residential Opportunity Sites
that meet Locational Criteria for Environmental Review (CEQA) General Notes:
1) For Atherton, "SB 10" assumes: 5 units for parcels between 0.30 and 0.50 ac 1 additional unit every tenth of an acre up to .99 ac
10 units for parcels of 1 acre or greater
2) Lots smaller than 0.50 acre can develop under SB 10, unless they are consolidated, then they can develop under R-20.
3) R-10 allow 10 du/ac
R-15 allows 15 du/ac
R-20 allow 20 du/ac
R-30 allows 30 du/ac

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 1 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed Project consists of a comprehensive update to the Housing Element of the Town of Atherton General Plan.

State Housing Element Requirements
Since 1969, California has required that all cities and counties adequately plan to meet the housing needs of the community. These requirements are promulgated in Government Code Section 65580 and beyond which establish the State’s housing policies and identifies the responsibilities of a municipality to facilitate the improvement and development of housing to make adequate provisions for the housing needs of all economic segments of the community. These State policies establish the contents and process that local governments must follow in preparing their housing elements. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583, the housing element must include:

1. Analysis of demographic, social, and housing characteristics, current and future housing needs due to population growth and change, and other factors affecting housing need.

2. Analysis of governmental and nongovernmental constraints that affect the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing for all income groups and people with disabilities;

3. Inventory of resources available to address the Town’s housing needs, including available land for housing, as well as the financial resources and administrative capacity to manage housing programs; and

4. Specific actions or programs to address the development, improvement, and conservation of housing to meet current and future needs. This includes goals, policies, and specific housing programs.

The State Department of Housing and Community Development is responsible for administering and ensuring local government compliance with Housing Element Law.

Project Location
The Town of Atherton is an incorporated town in San Mateo County. Atherton is bounded by Redwood City on the north, Menlo Park on the east and south, and Woodside on the west.

Existing Land Uses
The Town has an area of approximately 3,600 acres or 5.6 square miles; 89% of which is residential, 5% parks and open space, and 6% public and private schools and municipal facilities. The Town has been primarily developed with lower density residential uses, with no commercial or industrial uses. The Town of Atherton has minimal vacant available land for development.

General Plan and Zoning Designations
The Town of Atherton contains three land use categories: single family, low density, parks and open space, and public facilities and schools. The Single Family Residential Low Density General Plan designation is applied to all residential areas within the Town of Atherton and allows either one (1) or three (3) units per net acre. This land use designation allows a conventional single-family detached home with the additional use of an accessory dwelling unit and other uses identified in the Town’s Municipal Code.

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 2 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration The corresponding zones to the Town’s General Plan land use designations are: R-1A and R-1B (single family residential), public open space (POS), and public facilities and schools (PFS).

Description of Project
The project is the adoption and implementation of the Town of Atherton’s Housing Element Update (project). The 2023 – 2031 Housing Element includes the following components:
• Introduction: An introduction and overview of the 2023- 2031 Housing Element purpose, process, definitions, RHNA Allocation and relationship to other elements. • Assessment of Housing Needs: A discussion of the Town’s demographic and economic characteristics, housing and household descriptions including sales and rental prices, and special housing needs.
• Fair Housing Assessment: This section provides an overview of Assembly Bill (AB) 686, a law designed to enforce fair housing throughout the state, an assessment of fair housing issues in the region, access to opportunities, disparate housing needs, a site inventory analysis, and findings of contributing factors to fair housing issues and implementation actions. • Housing Resources: This section provides an inventory of sites suitable for residential development, an analysis of zoning that encourages and facilitates a variety of housing types, and adequate sites for emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing, and farm worker housing.
• Constraints on Housing: This section identifies governmental and non-governmental constraints on housing in the Town of Atherton.
• Review of the 2015-2022 Housing Element: This section reviews the effectiveness of the 5th Cycle Housing Element, progress in implementing it, and future opportunities for housing. • Housing Goals, Quantified Objectives, and Policies: This section identifies the goals, objectives, and policies of the Housing Element.
• Housing Programs: This section includes a list of the programs that will help achieve these goals and policies, and a summary of objectives with general timeframes in which those objectives might be achieved, along with the agency responsible for implementing the program. • Community Engagement: This section describes the efforts to engage the community in preparing the Housing Element update. During this Planning Period, Atherton held several public meetings to discuss the proposed strategies with the community. The Town also partnered with 21 Elements and the Let’s Talk Housing effort to engage with current and potential beneficiaries of housing programs and services and their advocates.
• The appendices summarize the 21 Elements survey analysis, ABAG/MTC Housing Needs Data Reports, AFFH Atherton Map, San Mateo County-wide housing needs, housing element site inventory form, Menlo College Faculty and Staff Hosing Considerations, and correspondence from an interested property owner.

There are several goals and objectives for the Housing Element Update including the following eight overarching and interrelated goals that reflect the values of the community.

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 3 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

1. Facilitate the private development of housing to meet a portion of the above moderate income housing need identified for Atherton.

2. Use accessory dwelling units to meet a substantial portion of the Town’s moderate to very lowincome housing need.

3. Facilitate the development of faculty and student housing on school campuses to meet a portion of the moderate and very low-income housing need identified for Atherton.

4. Promote private efforts to conserve and improve Atherton’s existing housing supply.

5. Encourage special consideration to the maintenance and expansion of housing opportunities for handicapped and low and moderate income and homeless persons.

6. Meet the needs of seniors, in light of the pending growth of this population in San Mateo County.

7. Continue to promote housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, or color.

8. Support efforts to affirmatively further fair housing in Atherton.

Specific Objectives that support these goals are included in the Housing Element document and further discussed throughout this analysis.

Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
In accordance with Government Code § 65584, projected housing needs for each city and county in the San Francisco Bay area region are prepared by Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) under a process known as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). The RHNA allocates regional housing needs by income level among member jurisdictions.

California law established the planning period for the current RHNA from 2023 to 2031. ABAG’s RHNA allocation for Atherton during this period is 348 units. The 348 units for Atherton are out of the anticipated construction need of 441,176 additional housing units in the ABAG region. Atherton’s 348 units distributed into Very Low Income, Low Income, Moderate Income, and Above Moderate-Income categories. Each category is defined by households falling into a certain percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1: RHNA ALLOCATION
Income Category 6
th Cycle RHNA 10% Buffer Units Total Units Percent
Extremely Low / Very Low 94 9 103 26%
Low* 54 5 59 16%
Moderate* 56 6 62 18%
Above Moderate 144 14 158 40%
Total 348 34 382 100%
Comparison of Site Inventory and RHNA
In addition to the proposed goals, objectives, policies, and programs to meet the RHNA, Atherton factored in pipeline projects and ongoing programs including the potential RM 10 (23 Oakwood) project, vacant

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 4 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration sites, lot splits (SB 9), private school sites and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The total new housing units needed to achieve the 6th Cycle RHNA are summarized in Table 2.

TABLE 2: NET RHNA – PROJECTED DWELLING UNITS
Very Low
& Low Moderate Above Moderate
0-80%
AMI 81-120% AMI >120% AMI
Total New
Housing Units
Projected Dwelling Units
ADUs 112 56 112 280
Lot Splits (SB 9) 0 0 48 48
Vacant Sites 0 0 8 8
RM 10 (23 Oakwood) 4 0 12 16
PFS (Private Schools) 40 40 0 80
Dwelling Unit Total 156 96 180 432
Total Net New Units Above or
below RHNA +8 +40 +36 +84
Anticipated Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Assembly Bill (AB) 2299 (2016), Senate Bill (SB) 1069 (2016), AB 494 (2017), SB 229 (2017), AB 68 (2019), AB 881 (2019), AB 587 (2019), SB 13 (2019), AB 670 (2019), AB 671 (2019), and AB 3182 (2020) – The 2016 and 2017 updates to State law included changes pertaining to the allowed size of accessory, permitting ADUs by right in at least some areas of a jurisdiction, and limits on parking requirements related to ADUs. More recent bills reduce the time to review and approve ADU applications to 60 days, remove lot size and replacement parking space requirements, and require local jurisdictions to permit junior ADUs (JADUs).

In 2021 and 2022, the Town of Atherton experienced the construction of 44 new ADUS, three (3) JADUs, and seven (7) ADU conversions. Based on this trend, the town projects an average of 35 new ADUs per year over the next eight (8) years. The Housing Element includes programs to amend the zoning code to facilitate ADU and JADU construction.

SB 9
Senate Bill 9 or SB 9 waives discretionary review and public hearings for building two homes on a parcel in a single-family zone and subdividing a lot into two that can be smaller than the previously required minimum size. In early 2022, the Town adopted an implementing ordinance consistent with state law to provide property owners clarity for the development opportunities under SB 9. The ordinance allows new lots created under the provisions of SB 9 to utilize the existing development standards for the base zoning district. A new residence built on a lot created through an SB 9 lot split can use the same setbacks, floor area ratio, building heights and other standards as provided for any existing lot in the same zoning district.

It is projected that approximately 48 new above moderate-income housing units will result from lot splits and new housing development facilitated by the 2021 SB 9 State law (GC section 65852.21) during the 2023- 2031 Planning Period. There are 606 lots of an acre or greater in size, and Atherton received six (6) applications in 2022 and an additional six (6) inquiries that would result in a total of 23 new dwelling units.

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 5 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Vacant Sites
The Town of Atherton surveyed all town parcels to determine adequate sites for housing. There is little vacant developable land in the Town, and most of the Town's land acreage is developed at existing General Plan densities. However, the Town did identify seven (7) undeveloped sites that it expects would provide single-family housing at above-moderate income level. These sites are listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3: VACANT SITES
Site
ID APN Address Lot Acres Current Zoning Existing Residential Density Allowance Additional Net
Residential Units
1 070-343-100 97 Santiago 1.42 R-1A One dwelling unit per acre 1 2 070-180-400 95 Faxon 1.13 R-1A One dwelling unit per acre 1 3 070-131-010 15 Monte Vista 1.78 R-1A One dwelling unit per acre 1 4 070-012-350 282 Polhemus 2.12 R-1A One dwelling unit per acre 2 5 070-180-240 12 Faxon Forrest 0.95 R-1A One dwelling unit per acre 1 6 070-180-350 16 Faxon Forrest 0.85 R-1A One dwelling unit per acre 1 7 070-180-020 25 Monte Vista 0.98 R-1A One dwelling unit per acre 1 Total Units 8
Residential Sites Inventory
An important component of the Town of Atherton Housing Element is the identification of sites for future housing development, and an evaluation of the adequacy of those sites in fulfilling the Town’s share of regional housing needs. To accomplish this, all town parcels were surveyed to determine their development capacity. Due to the lack of vacant and underutilized sites in Atherton, the Town has selected candidate sites for rezoning. Each site was analyzed in light of the development standards for its proposed zoning designation. All parcels in Atherton were evaluated through a process of elimination based on required criteria set by the State (HCD).

Housing Opportunity Sites
The Town has selected ten (10) housing opportunity sites, in addition to the ADU, SB 9, and vacant sites identified above. The Town is proposing to rezone these properties to a multi-family housing at densities ranging from 10 dwelling units per acre (du/ac) to 40 du/ac, and/or provide a housing overlay zone to the sites’ zoning designation for these specific properties. The Housing Element does not institute the rezoning or zoning overlay, but rather these are recommended legislative actions that would be implemented separately and after adoption and certification of the Housing Element. A list of sites is identified in Table

4. The rezoning or zoning overlay allows residential units to be built at a minimum density of 10 dwelling units per acre and maximum density of 40 dwelling units per acre. Potential units were calculated based on the minimum density allowed and would yield a total of 80 units at a minimum density and 111 at a maximum density on approximately 8.14 acres of land.

TABLE 4: HOUSING OPPORTUNITY SITES
Proposed Zoning Overlay and Net
Residential Units Site ID Address Lot
Acres
Units Pursuant
to SB 10
R-10 R-15 R-20 R-30

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 6 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration 1 2 Selby Lane 0.33 5 3 5 7 x
2 8 Selby Lane 0.37 5 4 6 7 x
3 89 Victoria Dr. 0.32 5 3 5 6 x
4 99 Victoria Dr. 0.30 5 3 5 6 x
5 97 Santiago Ave. 1.43 10 14 21 29 x
6 290 Polhemus Ave. 1.7 10 17 26 34 x
7 999 Ringwopd Ave. 0.90 9 9 14 18 27
8 352 Bay Rd. 0.92 9 9 14 18 28
9 318 Bay Rd. 0.94 9 9 14 18 28
10 296 Bay Rd. 0.93 9 9 14 19 28
TOTALS 8.14 76 80 124 162 111
Municipal Code Changes
Implementation of the Housing Element would effectuate the following zoning changes to the Atherton Municipal Code:
• RM-10 Overlay Zone – 23 Oakwood: The project proposes an amendment to the Town’s Municipal Code of an RM-10 overlay zone to permit multifamily residential uses by right. Included in the amendment request is a maximum density of 10 dwelling units per acre, building height standards of 40 feet, setbacks to accommodate the density, parking, and objective design standards. The site would yield 16 dwelling units.
• Menlo College – 1000 El Camino Real: Implementation of the Housing Element would institute an overlay zone on two locations of the Menlo College site as described:
o Site 1: The existing O’Brien surface parking lot at the southwest corner of El Camino Real and Alejandra Avenue is approximately 75,000 square feet (1.7 acres) in area. The site is level and currently contains a paved parking lot. The lot is surrounded by mature vegetation. Construction of a multi-family housing building is feasible at this location with podium parking at ground level and three-stories of housing above, or below grade parking. The Town does not have on-site parking requirements. Parking would be replaced to meet the needs of the college. The Town will rezone this site to permit 40 units per acre by right with objective design standards. The College has expressed interest in developing 60 dwelling units at this site.
o Site 2: There are four residences located on the campus in World War II barracks that are currently utilized for faculty housing. Demolition of these residences would accommodate 30 apartment units, resulting in a net increase of 26 multifamily housing units. This site would be rezoned at a density of 20 units per acre.
o Site 3: The College has identified a site interior to the campus that is viable for a multistory multi-family development of 40 to 60 units. This site would be rezoned at a density permitting 40 dwelling units per acre. The site, near the Administration Building, is currently used as parking. Additional parking can be developed near the entry to the College off El Camino Real.

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 7 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Additional actions for all three sites include reducing the minimum front yard setback to 30 feet, amending the height limit to allow up to four-stories or 48 feet, permitting multi-family housing by right with objective design standards.
• Menlo School – 50 Valparaiso Avenue: Implementation of the Housing Element would allow for an overlay zone at two locations on the Menlo School as described below:
o Site 1: A surface parking located at the southwest corner of the campus with frontage on Valparaiso Avenue and the school entry drive, approximately 56,000 square feet (sf.) would have an overlay zone of 20 dwelling units per acre, and this site would yield 25 dwelling units.
o Site 2: An approximately 44,000 sf. surface parking lot located at the southeast corner of the campus, with a frontage on Valparaiso Avenue and the school entry drive. With an overlay zone permitting 20 dwelling units per acre, this site could yield approximately 20 dwelling units.

To accommodate the new housing development, the zoning will be amended as follows:
o Rezone sites 1 and 2 to permit multifamily housing at a density of 20 units per acre. o Reduce the minimum front yard setback to 30 feet (along Valparaiso Road). o Amend the height limit to allow four-stories or 48 feet. o Permit multifamily housing by right with objective design standards. • Implementation of the Housing Element would amend the ADU provisions of the Atherton Municipal Code, permitting the following:
o Second story ADUs above detached garages, increasing the allowable height to 18 feet. o Two ADUs to be constructed on properties two-acres or greater in area; the first ADU is exempt from floor area limitations and the second ADU will be included in the ADU floor area.
o Allow pool housing and guest houses to be rented as ADUs. o Waiving fees for all new ADUs.
o Eliminating the occupancy limitation on ADUs, including guest and pool houses.

Further, implementation of the Housing Element would result in the following amendments to the Atherton Municipal Code:
• Allowing Permanent Supportive Housing by-right in use zones where multi-family and mixed-uses are permitted; and a by-right allowance for 100% affordable housing that has 25%, or 12 units, of permanent supportive housing where multi-family or mixed-use housing is permitted. • Permitting Low Barrier Navigation Centers in zones where multi-family and mixed uses are permitted.
• Permitting mobile homes and manufactured housing on a permanent foundation under the manner as single-family homes.

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 8 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration • Allowing group homes for seven or more residents in any district where residential uses are permitted.
• Permitting shelters, and amending their parking requirements, without discretionary action. • Amending the minimum lot size in the R-1B and subdivision ordinance allowing one-third (0.33) acre lots for the subject zone.

Proposed Housing Element Goals, Objectives, and Policies The Project establishes goals, objectives, policies, and programs to help the Town meet state-mandated goals. The Town’s implementation of these policies and programs includes adoption of overlay zones to sites in the inventory (as described above under “Housing Opportunity Sites” of this Initial Study to meet the Town’s RHNA obligation). Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583(c)(1), these actions will be accomplished within 3 years of the Town’s adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element.

TABLE 5: HOUSING GOALS, QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES

3.710 GOAL: FACILITATE THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING TO MEET THE ABOVE

MODERATE INCOME HOUSING NEED IDENTIFIED FOR ATHERTON
Objectives A. Realize the construction of approximately 150 net new housing units in the abovemoderate income category in Atherton from 2023-2031.

Policies A. Within the limitations of the private housing market the Town shall work with private developers to encourage new housing development.

3.720 GOAL: USE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO MEET A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE TOWN’S MODERATE TO VERY LOW-INCOME HOUSING NEED.

Objectives A. Realize the construction of 280 new accessory dwelling units planned for occupancy by moderate to extremely low-income households in Atherton from 2023-2031.

B. Partner with a non-profit organization to facilitate the rental of ADU and JADU units.

Policies A. Actively promote the Accessory Dwelling Unit provision of the Atherton Zoning Ordinance by encouraging homeowners and developers to include attached or detached Accessory Dwelling Units in existing or new homes.

3.730 GOAL: FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FACULTY AND STUDENT HOUSING ON OR

NEAR SCHOOL CAMPUSES TO MEET A PORTION OF THE MODERATE AND VERY LOW-INCOME

HOUSING NEED IDENTIFIED FOR ATHERTON
Objectives A. Encourage the construction of 34 new faculty housing units at private and public schools in the moderate to very low-income categories in Atherton from 2023-2031.

Policies A. Encourage schools in Atherton to provide affordable faculty, staff and student housing on and or near their campuses.

3.740 GOAL: FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT THE

CALWATER BEAR GULCH RESERVOIR SITE
Objectives A. Encourage CalWater Company to develop new housing on its Bear Gulch property.

Policies A. Encourage the construction of 4 new housing units at the Bear Gulch Reservoir property in Atherton from 2023-2031.

3.750 GOAL: PROMOTE PRIVATE EFFORTS TO CONSERVE AND IMPROVE ATHERTON’S EXISTING HOUSING SUPPLY.

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 9 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Objectives A. Promote the improvement, maintenance and enhancement of the existing housing stock through ongoing private and public rehabilitation efforts, with the objective of processing 1,000 applications for rehabilitation and home improvement between 2023 and 2031.

Policies A. The Town shall promote conservation and improvement of the condition of its existing affordable housing stock with the goal of conserving all existing affordable units.

3.760 GOAL: ENCOURAGE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION TO THE MAINTENANCE AND EXPANSION

OF HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDICAPPED AND LOW AND MODERATE INCOME AND HOMELESS PERSONS.

Objectives A. Enforce uniform building code regulations regarding provision of access for handicapped in residential structures, where applicable.

B. Support the conservation and development of affordable housing for citizens of modest means.

Policies A. The Town shall continue to enforce the uniform building code regulations regarding provision of handicapped access in residential structures.

B. The Town shall continue to encourage the production and availability of more affordable housing through the development of new accessory dwelling units, and private and public-school faculty and student housing.

C. The Town shall cooperate with agencies providing emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing for the homeless and those in crisis.

3.770 GOAL: MEET THE NEEDS OF SENIORS, IN LIGHT OF THE PENDING GROWTH OF THIS POPULATION IN SAN MATEO COUNTY.

Objectives A. Assist in meeting the needs of senior residents.

Policies A. Enforce uniform building code regulations regarding provision of access for handicapped in residential structures, where applicable.

B. Support the conservation and development of affordable housing for seniors with lower incomes.

C. Process requests for accessibility accommodations.

D. Encourage policies that enable seniors to “age in place” as much as possible.

E. Continue to encourage the development of accessory dwelling units, which can provide an affordable option for seniors.

F. Identify and prioritize steps that Atherton can take to meet the needs of seniors.

3.780 GOAL: CONTINUE TO PROMOTE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PERSONS

REGARDLESS OF RACE, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, ANCESTRY, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR COLOR Objectives A. Eliminate discrimination in housing to the extent feasible through Town actions.

Policies A. The Town shall actively support housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin or color.

3.790 GOAL: SUPPORT EFFORTS TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING IN ATHERTON.

Policies A. Regional Housing Trust Fund or Other Regional Collaboration: Support a regional Housing Trust Fund that is funded by a diversity of jurisdictions and allocated to communities based on poverty, cost burden, and segregation. The fund could support affordable housing production, community amenities, last/first month’s security deposits, down payment assistance, etc. Pair assistance with affirmative marketing to households with disproportionate housing needs including Black and Hispanic households.

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 10 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration B. Promote Affordable ADUs and JADUs: Develop a program that would connect service providers that help displaced renters with ADU owners in Atherton that want to rent to low-income renters. Develop assistance programs for JADUs to make alterations easier and more cost effective so that additional units can be developed within the existing building envelope of houses and made available at more affordable rates.

C. Rental Assistance Program: The City Council will appoint a committee to convene a discussion with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) populations who are experiencing comparatively high rates of cost burden to discuss solutions for relief and consider rental assistance programs tailored to extremely high-cost burdened residents.

D. Promote Fair Housing Information: Update the Town’s website to include fair housing including resources for residents who feel they have experienced discrimination, information about filing fair housing complaints with HCE or HUD, and information about protected classes under the Fair Housing Act.

E. Fair Housing Training: The City Council will appoint a committee to partner with Project Sentinel, or another affordable housing organization, to perform fair housing training for property owners, real estate agents and tenants across the region. Focus enforcement efforts on race-based discrimination and reasonable accommodations.

F. Human Investment Program (HIP) operates a Homesharing Program in the Town. The Homesharing Program places residents seeking housing with residents open to sharing (renting) a portion of their home. Five residents contacted HIP Housing to learn more about other programs as well as to discuss affordable housing opportunities in San Mateo County. One resident applied to HIP Housing’s Home Sharing Program and worked with a Home Sharing Coordinator to receive home sharing referrals, community resources, as well as ongoing information about affordable housing opportunities including waiting list opening information.

Required Discretionary Actions
Adoption of the 2023 – 2031 Housing Element (Atherton Town Council) Other Public Agency Review
Approval of the Housing Element by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
California Native American Tribal Consultation
In accordance with AB 52 (PRC Section 21084.2), lead agencies are required to initiate consultation with a tribe with traditional and/or cultural affiliations in the geographic area where a subject project is located if a project may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource. Should the tribe respond requesting formal consultation, the lead agency must work with the tribe or representative thereof to identify potential impacts and develop avoidance or mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts to tribal cultural resources.

In addition, SB 18 (GC Section 65352.3) requires lead agencies to contact and consult with California Native American tribes prior to amending or adopting any general plan, specific plan, or designating land as open

DRAFT
(FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS)
2023 – 2031 Housing Element 11 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration space. In accordance with AB 52 and SB 18, notification of the proposed project was mailed to the following tribes on June 20, 2023:
• Amah Mutsun Tribal Band of Mission San Juan Bautista
• Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe
• Indian Canyon Mutsun Band of Costanoan
• The Ohlone Indian Tribe
• Wuksachi Indian Tribe/Eshom Valley Band
• Tamien Nation

Item No. 12
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JULY 19, 2023
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF PICKLEBALL SURVEY RESULTS AND

DIRECTION TO STAFF

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council review and discuss the 2023 Pickleball Survey Results and provide direction to staff on next steps.

BACKGROUND
Beginning February 2022, the Park & Recreation Committee undertook a review of pickleball options for Holbrook-Palmer Park which ultimately made its way to the City Council in March 2023. In March 2023, the Council directed that staff work with a Subcommittee of the City Council to create a community interest survey for pickleball at the Park.

The Survey sought community feedback on the possibility of adding pickleball to HolbrookPalmer Park. The Survey suggested that if the Town were to add pickleball, it could be done by:
• Converting one of the six tennis courts (such as the underutilized clay court) permanently to pickleball configurations;
• Converting a tennis court to a multi-sport court, which would allow for tennis, pickleball and basketball;
• Converting any underutilized space in the Park, such as the handball court or other open areas, to a permanent pickleball court; or
• Allowing pickleball, using any of the preceding options, but only on set times and days.

The purpose of the Survey was to understand and gather comments, both positive and negative, that would serve as a guide to the Council’s decision-making about pickleball in the Park. The Survey was released in early April 2023 and closed at the end of May 2023. There were 401 respondents.

ANALYSIS
The Survey asked 7 questions.

Pickleball
JULY 19, 2023

Question #1 – Are you or your family members residents of the Town of Atherton? Of the 401 respondents to the Survey, 333 answered affirmatively that they were residents of the Town. Attachment #1 includes any detail associated with the question.

Question #2 – How often do you visit Holbrook-Palmer Park for recreational use? Of the 401 respondents, the 116 visited more than 2 days a week, 112 visited for 1-2 days a week, 93 visited via other parameters, and 80 advised that they do not visit the Park for recreational use.

Attachment #2 includes any detail associated with the question.

Question #3 – Do you or a family member currently play or want to play pickleball? Of the 401 respondents, 288 responded that they or a family member currently play or want to play pickleball. Attachment #3 includes any detail associated with the question.

Pickleball
JULY 19, 2023

Question #4 – Are you or a family member a tennis key holder at the Town’s Park? Of the 401 respondents, 127 responded that they were tennis key holders. Attachment #4 includes any detail associated with the question.

Question #5 – Do you support adding pickleball options (via a trail or on a permanent basis) at the Park?
Of the 401 respondents, 313 responded affirmatively. Attachment #5 includes any detail associated with the question.

Pickleball
JULY 19, 2023

Question #6 – Rank the following in order of support (1 being the most and 5 being the least) for pickleball options at the Park.

This question asked respondents to rank 5 options.

1. I support doing a temporary pickleball trial using one of the tennis courts to determine a level of community interest.

2. I support permanent pickleball at the Park, but only to be played on certain days and times.

3. I support pickleball at the Park using a multi-sport court opportunity (i.e. a court designed for basketball, pickleball, and tennis).

4. I support converting one of the 6 tennis courts to a permanent pickleball court (possibly the clay court).

5. I support converting underutilized space in the Park (such as the handball court or other areas of the Park) to a permanent pickleball court.

Of the 401 respondents, respondents placed the above in the following ranked order - #1, #4, #5, #3, and then #2. Attachment #6 includes any detail associated with the question.

Pickleball
JULY 19, 2023

Question #7 – Do you have any additional comments about using space in the Park for pickleball? There were 179 comments provided by respondents. Attachment #7 provides a list of all of the comments received.

Crosstabulations
Of the 401 respondents, 333 responded that they were residents. Of these:

Question 3, Do you play pickleball? 74% answered Yes and 26% answered No.

Question 4, Tennis Key Holder? 32% answered Yes and 68% answered No.

Question 5, Support Adding Pickleball? 80% answered Yes and 20% answered No.

Question 6, Where? Most popular response is doing a temporary trial on one of the tennis courts.

Of the 401 respondents, 127 responded that they were tennis key holders. Of these:

Question 3, Do you play pickleball? 50% answered Yes and 50% answered No.

Question 5, Support Adding Pickleball? 53% answered Yes and 47% answered No.

Question 6, Where? Most popular response is doing a temporary trail on one of the tennis courts.

Of the 401 respondents, 80 responded that they do not use the Park for Recreation. Of these:

Question 1, Resident? 79% answered Yes and 21% answered No.

Question 3, Do you play pickleball? 84% answered Yes and 16% answered No.

Question 4, Tennis Key Holder? 2.5% answered Yes and 97.5% answered No.

Question 5, Support Adding Pickleball? 94% answered Yes and 6% answered No.

Question 6, Where? Most popular is converting one of the 6 tennis courts.

Options

Pickleball
JULY 19, 2023

There were 4 options presented as part of the Survey.
• Converting one of the six tennis courts (such as the underutilized clay court) permanently to pickleball configurations;
• Converting a tennis court to a multi-sport court, which would allow for tennis, pickleball and basketball;
• Converting any underutilized space in the Park, such as the handball court or other open areas, to a permanent pickleball court; or
• Allowing pickleball, using any of the preceding options, but only on set times and days.

The Council can discuss any of these options or other options for consideration if the Council wishes to move forward with pickleball at the Park. Options could include a trial run using one of the existing tennis courts with temporary markings and portable nets. Coordination of any pickleball solution at the Park that involves the Tennis Courts will require coordination with Player Capital, the Town’s current court vendor.

Funding
The City Council representative to the Park Foundation has advised that the Foundation may be open to funding portions of the development of a pickleball solution at the Park. Other options for funding include expressing support for pickleball but directing that funding in support of conversion of any space in the Park must come from private donations.

Noise and Other Impacts
Lastly, any solution for pickleball must address concerns related to noise, court availability, hours and days of use, and other impacts.

FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time.

GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area B – Preserve Small Town Character and Quality of Life • Goal Area F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned

POLICY FOCUS
The policy focus for this item is whether or not the pickleball should be a supported use in Holbrook-Palmer Park. If supported as a use in the Park, the Council should direct staff with respect to next steps – identified solution, trial program, permanent solutions, timing, funding, etc.

Pickleball
JULY 19, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission

ATTACHMENTS

1. Q1 PDF Summary

2. Q2 PDF Summary

3. Q3 PDF Summary

4. Q4 PDF Summary

5. Q5 PDF Summary

6. Q6 PDF Summary

7. Q7 PDF Summary

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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83.04% 333

16.96% 68
Q1 Are you or your family members residents of the Town of Atherton? Answered: 401 Skipped: 0
TOTAL 401
Yes 83.04% (333)
No 16.96% (68)

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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27.93% 112

13.47% 54

15.46% 62

19.95% 80

23.19% 93
Q2 How often do you visit Holbrook-Palmer for recreational use? Answered: 401 Skipped: 0
TOTAL 401
1 - 2 days a week 27.93% (112)
2 to 4 days a week 13.47% (54)
4 or more days a week

15.46% (62)
4 or more days a week

15.46% (62)
I don't visit the Park
for recreational use 19.95%
(80)
I don't visit the Park
for recreational use 19.95%
(80)
Other (please specify) 23.19% (93)

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
1 - 2 days a week
2 to 4 days a week
4 or more days a week
I don't visit the Park for recreational use
Other (please specify)

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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71.82% 288

28.18% 113
Q3 Do you or a family member currently play or want to play pickleball? Answered: 401 Skipped: 0
TOTAL 401
Yes 71.82% (288)
No 28.18% (113)

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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31.67% 127

68.33% 274
Q4 Are you or a family member a tennis key holder at the Town's Park? Answered: 401 Skipped: 0
TOTAL 401
Yes 31.67% (127)
No 68.33% (274)

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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78.05% 313

21.95% 88
Q5 Do you support adding pickleball options (via a trial or on a permanent basis) at the Park? (If No, Skip to #7)
Answered: 401 Skipped: 0
TOTAL 401
Yes 78.05% (313)
No 21.95% (88)

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No

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Q6 If yes, rank the following in order of support (1 being the most and 5 being the least) for pickleball options at the Park.

Answered: 353 Skipped: 48

33.14%
117

15.01%
53 17.56%
62 15.86%
56 18.41%
65 353 3.29

23.23%
82 22.10%
78 12.18%
43 30.88%
109

11.61%
41 353 3.14

26.35%
93 20.96%
74 11.05%
39 10.76%
38 30.88%
109 353 3.01

9.35%
33 21.25%
75 35.41%
125

17.56%
62 16.43%
58 353 2.90

7.93%
28 20.68%
73 23.80%
84 24.93%
88 22.66%
80 353 2.66
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
1 2 3 4
5 I support
doing a
temporary
pickleball...

I support
converting
one of the 6
tennis cou...

I support
converting
underutilized
space in t...

I support
pickleball at
the Park
using a...

I support
permanent
pickleball at
the Park, ...
1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL SCORE
I support doing a temporary pickleball trial using one of the tennis courts to determine a level of community interest.

I support converting one of the 6 tennis courts to a
permanent pickleball court (possibly the clay court)
I support converting underutilized space in the Park (such as the handball court or other areas of the Park) to a
permanent pickleball court
I support pickleball at the Park using a multi-sport court opportunity (i.e. a court designed for basketball, pickleball, and tennis)
I support permanent pickleball at the Park, but only to be played on certain days and times.

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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Q7 Do you have any additional comments about using space in the Park for pickleball?
Answered: 179 Skipped: 222
# RESPONSES DATE
1 Supportive I don’t live in Atherton, but have friends who play pickleball who do. They have been coming to surrounding communities to play. The popularity of pickleball has grown, and there is, currently, a shortage of courts. Please support Atherton pickleball players! Thank-you. 5/31/2023 8:51 AM
2 Supportive I walk in the Park often and I have noticed that the tennis courts are very underutilized. I also think the park has many areas that are underutilized and I would also support that option.
5/31/2023 8:43 AM
3 Supportive I think it is a great idea to allocate some space to other interest than tennis. 5/30/2023 8:57 PM 4 Supportive I am glad that you are keeping up with what is popular today ! 5/30/2023 8:21 PM 5 Convert Handball Noisy Supportive Although I strongly disagree with the incorporation of pickle ball, I believe that converting the handball court is a solid option to help support pickle ball players. This space is unused, and could be converted without much resistance. 5/30/2023 7:31 PM
6 Supportive Fastest growing sport. 5/30/2023 6:00 PM
7 Noisy PICKLEBALL is VERY loud! Can you limit the paddle noise? 5/30/2023 5:42 PM 8 Supportive Pickleball is a very fun family activity. More public courts are needed. 5/30/2023 5:18 PM 9 It would be easier to form an opinion on the above options with some data on utilization of the existing facilities, and the economics of maintaining the clay court (I think someone funded it's initial installation).
5/30/2023 4:42 PM
10 Supportive New pickleball courts built with acoustical design as a priority to create a space which will not cause noise neighbors would hear, and at the least, not be any louder than other current park activities. But Pickleball is a must do, in my opinion. 5/30/2023 3:38 PM
11 Noisy I am not opposed to pickleball, but it is so noisy, and I think the noise would carry to local neighborhoods and would be very unpleasant.
5/30/2023 2:16 PM
12 Supportive I think that there will be many more residents that want to play pickle ball than tennis.
5/30/2023 1:43 PM
13 Supportive We share a fence with the park. Would purchase key to tennis courts if pickleball was there. Great community builder.
5/30/2023 1:29 PM
14 Supportive If it must be done, utilize one one the existing courts. Do not take up "underutilized" space.
5/30/2023 12:56 PM
15 Multi-Sport Needed Supportive Not sure how these questions were developed. To be clear I support permanent pickle ball at the park on more than one court and every day. It can be on a multi painted court with a movable net as necessary.
5/30/2023 12:42 PM
16 Supportive We need more than just one Pickle Ball court! 5/30/2023 12:25 PM 17 The noise issues associated with pickleball will be unfair to neighbors. 5/30/2023 11:07 AM 18 Noisy Pickleball is MUCH noisier than tennis as we use a wooden paddle and plastic balls.

Tennis courts were converted at Pine Mountain Lake in Groveland and the noise increase to the neighbors is now a problem. If Pickleball ball is added to the part, then a serious look at noise should be done first.
5/30/2023 10:50 AM
19 Low income housing 5/30/2023 10:42 AM
20 Supportive In favor if it doesn't cost anything; not in favor if it does. Suspect that use would be pretty limited.
5/30/2023 10:42 AM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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21 Supportive Hope it happens. :) 5/30/2023 10:35 AM
22 Supportive Sounds like a great idea- let’s try it :) I don’t understand how to rank these possibilities one through five, but I support option 2
5/30/2023 10:32 AM
23 Supportive I think pickle ball would be a great addition and based on utilization statistics consider adding more.
5/30/2023 10:28 AM
24 Supportive Why is this taking so long to get a pickleball court at H-P Park??? This has been going on for over a year while other local towns (Menlo Park, Palo Alto) already have pickleball courts for their residents. Please, please approve something for the pickleball playing residents of Atherton.
5/30/2023 10:26 AM
25 Supportive I am seeing Pickleball played by every level and every age. It's wonderful to see grandparents playing grand children and it's also wonderful to see people like me who never use the courts and now do because of Pickleball, and i have met so many new people in our community. It's a sport for all ages and all athletic abilities. I go to Neylan park about three times a week and have a whole new group of Menlo Park friends because of it. 5/30/2023 9:57 AM
26 Supportive We are not currently tennis court key holders, but we have been in the past. We support Pickleball...we play Pickleball and we would take advantage of the opportunity at the park. However...we also realize the legititmate issues brought up surrounding Pickleball. We support Pickleball and we would participate, but it has to be done the right way with issues addressed and mitigated. From previous experience the most notable contention is the issue of noise impact on nearby residents.
5/30/2023 9:41 AM
27 Noisy Supportive #6 did not have a button to check for ranking, I'll answer here...I'll give it a 1 would support adding pickleball, and believe courts would be well used by our community.

Converting currently underutilized space would be a great option. I would first like to know what the impact would be for the surrounding neighbors and noise from the pickleball courts. 5/30/2023 9:31 AM
28 Noisy pickleball is much noisier than tennis; we live on the fence and are already subjected to too much noise from the park and this would greatly add to it; tennis and baseball noise is fine but the party rentals with outdoor amplified music are killers 5/30/2023 9:20 AM
29 Supportive I play pickleball and it is a wonderful social sport that brings the community together - we need that in Atherton. I would highly recommend putting 4 pickle ball courts on one tennis court. This will allow for maximum use of space. 5/30/2023 9:11 AM
30 Supportive I think more people would pay for pickle ball court time. Can’t wait what a great idea!!!
5/30/2023 9:09 AM
31 Supportive Build a court...anywhere! 5/30/2023 9:06 AM 32 Noisy I fear it will be too noisy and disruptive for the neighbors. I do support doing more to gather the community, perhaps different uses of the park. The park in general has way too much parking. All that space could easily be used for better things. A dog park for instance, would be a great way to meet your neighbors. It could require a key as the tennis courts do. 5/30/2023 9:06 AM
33 Supportive Thank you for doing this 5/30/2023 9:06 AM 34 Supportive Don’t use any green space for a court. 5/25/2023 4:08 PM 35 Supportive I think it would be nice to have a pickle ball court…1or 2….but I don’t care how that is done
5/21/2023 10:46 PM
36 Supportive Please do it now 5/21/2023 2:12 PM
37 Supportive If there is just one pickleball court I don’t see a lot of community engagement, as from my experience a lot of people go as singles and look for other players. If there’s only one pickle ball court, the chances of other players being there are small. whatever option you choose. Please make sure there are enough courts (at least 2!) Thank you! 5/20/2023 7:44 AM
38 Supportive I think there are just as many pickleball players as tennis players in Atherton. I think half the courts should be converted
5/17/2023 1:25 PM
39 Supportive I think adding pickle ball is a great idea 5/15/2023 5:20 PM 40 Supportive Instead of creating conflict between neighbors over the use of the existing courts, can we look at building new pickleball courts in a portion of the parking lot on the opposite side 5/14/2023 10:35 AM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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of the park (where the temporary village buildings had been situated)? From the temporary building experiment, we learned that a portion of that parking lot wasn't really needed. Building new dedicated pickleball courts in that location would add pickleball without removing tennis capacity, and would distribute use of remaining parking more efficiently. It would also place pickleball further away from a larger number of residences (close to 1 house instead of several). If there is demand for pickleball at Holbrook Palmer, we hope you can find a way to meet that demand without taking away another popular resource. Thank you. 41 Noise is the problem with tennis players and neighbors. We can see this problem from articles all over the US when pickle ball is allowed on a tennis facility. We are saying pickle ball is more important than a tennis center.
5/12/2023 4:37 PM
42 Supportive Ok with me if you can build a designated court and not convert a tennis court. 5/12/2023 3:50 PM 43 Supportive by all means, add a pickleball court, but don't cannibalize the tennis courts which are already fully used
5/11/2023 8:43 AM
44 I do not support using one of the courts for pickleball 5/10/2023 7:52 PM 45 Supportive i think it will get a lot of use, we should have 2 courts. good for health of residents, social connections, and much broader appeal than tennis. 5/10/2023 6:38 PM
46 The tennis courts are already full during busy hours and weekends. 5/10/2023 5:04 PM 47 Supportive I don’t think any of the tennis courts should be converted to pickle ball. But instead create a dedicated space for pickle ball.
5/10/2023 3:13 PM
48 Noise is the problem with tennis players and neighbors. We can see this problem from articles all over the US when pickle ball is allowed on a tennis facility. We are saying pickle ball is more important than a tennis center.
5/10/2023 2:37 PM
49 I am adamantly against using the tennis courts for pickleball. 5/10/2023 8:02 AM 50 With player capital using 4 of the courts most of the days most of the times it is already difficult to find a time for the regular tennis players. As a non resident I already pay almost $300 / year to be able to play. Last year the courts were redone, so we did not have a lot of access in the summer. I do not want a pickle ball court to restrict the access any further. I will unfortunately ask for my money back if this project goes through. There are other courts available close to my home, free of charge. I prefer to play at the park as I can reserve the court but will give this up if the access is restricted again. A pickle ball court would be fun but outside of the current setting as it is tight already. I would also like to point at that player capital is reserving a lot of space and sometimes the courts end up being free, or open. I would like to respectfully request that when these courts are not used they are freed on the calendar. Thank you!
5/10/2023 8:01 AM
51 Noisy Pickleball is a noisy sport. It would transform the experience of the park's SW corner for walkers, tennis players, and Felton Gables neighbors. 5/9/2023 9:16 PM
52 Noisy Pickleball is too noisy 5/9/2023 8:22 PM
53 Tennis courts should remain for tennis. Pickleball should find its own courts. 5/9/2023 5:45 PM 54 Supportive Player Capital should give up a court to Pickle Ball as a trial. They have too much use for lessons already sone for non Atherton residents. 5/9/2023 2:07 PM
55 Supportive Convert the clay court if a pickleball court is deemed necessary 5/9/2023 12:53 PM 56 Noisy It’s loud and would be disruptive. Soundproofing must be addressed before thinking of adding or converting any existing tennis court. I vote NO 5/9/2023 12:27 PM
57 I am against using the park for pickle ball. The tennis courts in the park should only be used for tennis. No other part of the park should be used for pickle ball. There are many other places on the Peninsula where people can play pickle ball. Please do not ruin the serene beauty of Holbrook Palmer Park with putting in pickleball courts. 5/9/2023 11:43 AM
58 The tennis courts at HPP are already a scarce resource today, and its frequently hard to reserve a spot. Losing one court to Pickleball will only make the situation worse. I strongly oppose repurposing the space for Pickleball and propose using a space in a different part of the park for this.
5/9/2023 11:07 AM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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59 Convert Handball Noisy Pickleball is an extremely noisy and disruptive sport. If you build a pball court please use the handball option, there is no reason to uproot tennis. Note- tennis is not allowed to have lights due to public resident concern, why would you add this noise? 5/9/2023 10:40 AM
60 Noisy Too noisy and fisturbing for tennis when oickleball 5/9/2023 10:35 AM 61 Noisy I’m all for the sport. But the noise associate with it is horribly loud and annoying. I’d hate to be one of the neighbors to a pickle ball court. As a tennis player at HP park, I would find the noise to be very distracting. Also, as park user, I find the park to be very mellow and relaxing most of the time. Pickle ball would bring a constant barrage noise and making the park a less relaxing place. Just google “tennis vs pickleball noise” 5/9/2023 10:00 AM
62 Supportive Hello, There is plenty of space in the park to add pickleball courts without impacting the tennis courts. Please be mindful that the tennis courts are fully utilized outside of the working and school hours and that the conversion of a tennis court will really hurt the critical and regular training of the addicted and daily tennis players like our son and his tennis friends. Thank you for your consideration. Gilles van Ruymbeke 5/9/2023 9:51 AM
63 Supportive I don't want a tennis court to be converted. If a pickle ball court is added somewhere in the park I am totally fine with that.
5/9/2023 9:43 AM
64 I love playing on clay. As I get older I find clay to be much easier on my knees and back. We don’t have a clay option anywhere else so I’d like to see the clay court preserved. 5/9/2023 9:41 AM
65 Supportive There is enough space in the park so we should have a separate pickleball area 5/9/2023 9:40 AM 66 Supportive I didn't understand how to rank above. I support converting a tennis court, or another area, for permanent pickle ball play, and would use it regularly 5/7/2023 4:43 PM
67 Do not convert an existing tennis court into Pickleball. Thanks. 5/7/2023 4:13 PM 68 Supportive It’s a no brainer. People love it and it will be a level of engagement and community not yet seen in our parks.
5/7/2023 10:50 AM
69 Supportive Our family would use a pickle ball court at least once per week. 5/7/2023 10:03 AM 70 Supportive We previously lived near a park that converted under-utilized space to 3 pickleball courts. It took a little time for area residents to realize it was there (which is why I don’t favor a short-term trial), but the courts are now very popular. 5/6/2023 5:04 PM
71 Supportive Please add TWO pickleball courts. It is a popular sport and can be played by all ages. Thank you.
5/4/2023 12:57 PM
72 Noisy The sound is very loud and discordant to the human ear. It would ruin the experience of tennis players, park walkers looking for a peaceful walk and the Felton Gables neighbors.

There needs to be a minimum of 300-500 feet distance to buffer the sound and at least 200- 250 feet of a sound blanket. For more information look at Pickleball sound mitigation hosted by sound expert Bob Unetich on Facebook. He is both a Pickleball player and a referree and well respected among players as well as neighbors.
5/3/2023 2:04 PM
73 Supportive This is the fastest growing sport in America for all ages. Converting a tennis court will draw from a diverse section of our town and encourage community 5/3/2023 8:51 AM
74 Supportive I currently play in Palo Alto, but would play in Atherton if there were courts. 5/2/2023 4:01 PM 75 Consideration needs to be given to noise for neighbors and who would be able to use the court. 5/2/2023 12:15 PM 76 I highly highly recommend a permanent space. You will be surprised at its popularity. 5/2/2023 9:58 AM 77 Supportive I support only a trial, not any of the other alternatives until we determine interest and practicality. The park is meant to be a space for quiet outdoor enjoyment. Tennis creates a little noise but Pickleball is exactly the opposite. The town needs to carefully monitor the effect of the additional noise on neighbors, tennis players and the public using the park. Very considerable noise comes not only from the sound of Pickleball, with its rapid hitting of the hard ball on a paddle , but also the noise of participants, from as many as 16 people if one tennis court is converted to 4 Pickleball courts. I have severe doubts that Pickleball is consistent with the enjoyment so many of us receive from the park (The only other noise comes from Little League games and those are only a few months a year and very limited in time.). The noise might well disturb those renting the park for wedding receptions and other functions and lead to fewer rentals.
5/2/2023 8:57 AM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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78 Noisy Pickle ball is a bad companion for tennis in the park. It’s an activity that is inherently noisy, both from the sound of the ball striking paddle and hard court and from the tendency of players to talk loudly among themselves. Pickle ball is a recent sport part of whose appeal is overt competitiveness—trash talking has a place in it— that contrasts with a tennis tradition that encourages decorum even if not always realized. Keep pickle ball away from the courts. A former 25 year tennis keyholder
5/1/2023 8:30 PM
79 Supportive Love pickle ball, given the age of the town, making one or two pickle ball courts available makes a lot of sense.
5/1/2023 5:41 PM
80 Supportive This game is available at our golf vlub now, so any further expense for this would not benefit our family.
5/1/2023 1:02 PM
81 Supportive Plenty of places have put pickeball stripes on a normal tennis court but in a different color so the same court can be used for tennis or pickle ball. STRONG preference to convert the clay court as although I grew up playing on clay - that court is just not maintained to the level needed for good clay. Not your fault - it’s just too hard! 4/30/2023 8:01 PM
82 How about a dog park?? 4/30/2023 2:36 PM
83 Pickleball is popular now, but a fad, in my opinion. We used to play racketball and that is no longer popular. We had a tennis court key for years, but no longer play because of bad ankles, etc. Unless an individual wants to pay for a pickleball court, I feel that the Town has more pressing needs and use for the money . Thank you.
4/30/2023 11:55 AM
84 Noisy From what I've seen at other nearby parks, if there's a pickleball court, it will get used frequently. It is sufficiently noisy that I have some concerns for neighboring houses. But it will definitely get used and far more than the clay court.
4/30/2023 9:51 AM
85 It would be better to convert a tennis court than convert other land in the park. 4/29/2023 12:21 PM 86 Supportive Adding pickleball would significantly increase our use & enjoyment if the park.

Perhaps a drop-in pickleball group would create a new & vibrant community among Atherton player-residents.
4/29/2023 10:39 AM
87 Supportive I’m not able to rank above for some reason. I fully support permanent pickleball courts.
4/28/2023 1:19 PM
88 Multi-Sport Needed Pickleball is a fad that will quickly vanish. However we would support a multi-sport court with basketball.
4/28/2023 12:38 PM
89 Noisy Pickleball is a noisy sport with plastic balls and hard paddle rackets. It'll drive the neighbors to complain and is not a friendly community addition 4/28/2023 10:34 AM
90 Supportive We need multiple pickle ball courts now! 4/28/2023 10:23 AM 91 Supportive Pickleball should have multiple courts available in the park on a permanent basis.

Having courts that could be used for both pickleball and tennis would maximize the use of all of the courts at Holbrook Palmer
4/28/2023 10:15 AM
92 Supportive Pickle ball would be a GREAT addition. We would use the courts! 4/28/2023 10:13 AM 93 Supportive I think converting one or more of the existing tennis courts to pickle ball courts would be a great addition to the park
4/28/2023 9:58 AM
94 Supportive Just do it! Stop being a NIMBY town 4/28/2023 8:34 AM 95 Supportive I’m an avid pickelball player, and I’ve met so many new friends it would be a great asset to any community. That said, we need to be careful about the noise impact. I used to live in Felton Gables, and I think the noise would be an issue for that community. That’s why I’m less a fan of using the existing tennis courts, as they are so close to the Felton Gables. I would encourage a location that is further from Neighbor’s if you want to keep everyone happy.
4/27/2023 9:14 PM
96 We will have the same problem that all people have had w 4/27/2023 4:33 PM 97 Supportive Please add pickleball courts! We'll use them! 4/27/2023 3:07 PM 98 Supportive I think it would be a great addition to the park. Interest is growing nationally.

Putting it in another area of the park would allow multiple courts if they became necessary 4/27/2023 2:50 PM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
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without taking away from the tennis players. OTOH, I don't know how much the tennis courts are used.
99 I would rather see an area where people can let their dogs off leash. The town should also survey the people who live adjoining the park, pickle ball makes more noise than tennis - like living next to a ping pong table.
4/27/2023 12:59 PM
100 Great idea!!! 4/27/2023 8:42 AM
101 Supportive I definitely think a permanent pickleball court will be a bit. So much so that I think the town should be ready to build more. I know so many people who play pickleball and want to play more often. It’s hard to find a oickball court.
4/27/2023 8:04 AM
102 Give us a survey in which it is clear what our answers are. I have no idea how I voted 4/26/2023 10:11 PM 103 Supportive It would be great to have Pickleball there!!!! 4/26/2023 8:52 PM 104 Convert Handball Clay courts for pickle ball would not be good; if you did this, you would have to convert to regular surface. Converting under utilized spaces like handball would be good, but NOT underutilized open space.
4/26/2023 6:58 PM
105 Noisy Pickleball is popular and a good social sport. We love playing. We have pickleball lines on our own tennis court so wouldn’t be as likely to play at the park as we would otherwise. It’s a noisy sport, though - do ask adjoining neighbors about that. 4/26/2023 6:45 PM
106 One court won’t work. If there is an interest 2-4 courts will be a minimum. This is not like tennis, many more people can play, but won’t if the court is always busy. Seen this problem in several locations. They put in one court and the naysayers say., see there is no interest. But eventually pickle keeps being brought up and additional courts are added and then they get very busy.
4/26/2023 6:13 PM
107 Where is the park ? 4/26/2023 3:01 PM
108 Supportive If pickle ball were offered at the Park, we would visit much more often. Nealon pickle ball courts are always busy, tennis courts empty. It's a no brainer to convert tennis court(s) into pickle ball.
4/26/2023 2:28 PM
109 Supportive Great idea—very fun, family friendly, any age, easy to learn 4/26/2023 2:18 PM 110 Supportive There should be at least 3 pickleball courts at H-P. 4/25/2023 10:43 PM 111 Supportive I believe that adding pickle ball at the park will provide a popular recreational activity for many town residents
4/25/2023 3:19 PM
112 The cost for Any pickle ball solution should be paid for by pickle ball players 4/25/2023 2:29 PM 113 Supportive I was unable to rank from this format in item 6. My favorite option is to convert one of the existing tennis courts into pickleball courts as this is the number 1 sport in America and we love it!
4/24/2023 12:32 PM
114 Supportive Pickleball can be a very community-building activity, involving people of all ages.

I think it would be a good thing. We are not residents of Atherton but live fairly near the Park. 4/23/2023 9:10 PM
115 Supportive My wife and I LOVE pickleball and are enthusiastic supporters of permanent dedicated courts. Menlo Park's Burgess Park is a good example of how wildly popular pickleball is. It is an incredibly social sport and open to all ages and abilities. I look forward to meeting more of our neighbors on the courts!
4/13/2023 9:34 PM
116 Supportive I do not think it has to come down to a choice between eliminating a much needed tennis court just to put in a pickleball court. Both should be accommodated in different areas of the park.
4/13/2023 1:11 PM
117 Supportive As much pickleball as possible please! 4/13/2023 12:18 PM 118 The Town needs to establish rules for length of play, turnover of courts, etc. 4/13/2023 11:37 AM 119 Supportive The town of Atherton should add a permanent pickleball court. We have the space and the interest. And the tennis courts are under-utilized. It makes sense to keep up with the times.
4/13/2023 6:54 AM
120 Supportive Bring it on. P&R has held this up long enough 4/12/2023 5:44 PM Page 239 of 244 Community Pickleball Interest Survey
7 / 10
121 Noisy Pickleball is fun and I go to Nealon Park. I enjoy walking at Holbrook Palmer Park for its serene atmosphere. Pickleball is fun, loud, and lots of people which I think will detract from the park.
4/11/2023 11:01 PM
122 Supportive Leave the tennis courts as is. Pickle ball is a new sport and its not going away.

Build some new courts just for pickle ball. Ideally away from houses. 4/11/2023 5:49 PM
123 Supportive If it does move forward, it absolutely should involve a conversion of one of the tennis courts, and not "converting an underutilized space". I'm a long time resident, and have seen numerous proposals for taking up open space in the park. Let's keep open the space we have!
4/11/2023 11:04 AM
124 Supportive Can’t wait! It should be for Atherton residents use ONlY! 4/11/2023 10:51 AM 125 Supportive Please have dedicated pickleball courts, there is no shortage of dedicated tennis courts but with pickleball thats not the case. Most public tennis courts are used for private coaching, where as pickleball courts have bigger turnout and used for recreational play by Seniors and youngsters which align with the social/community objectives. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport and Bay area has the worst pickleball facilities in the entire country. ( No dedicated public indoor courts) Besides being easier to learn than tennis, pickleball is also slower paced and there’s less ground to cover; you could almost fit four pickleball courts onto one tennis court, and most picklers play doubles. Some research suggests that it may be safer than tennis for people with heart issues, too. In one of the few studies that’s been done on pickleball, researchers found that compared to walking at a self-selected pace for half an hour, people who played doubles pickleball for half an hour had 14 percent higher heart rates and burned 36 percent more calories. Another study from Western Colorado University found that picklers averaged a heart rate of 109 beats per minute and burned 354 calories per hour, which qualifies it as a moderate-intensity workout alongside hiking, yoga and water aerobics.

The players also saw significant improvements in their cholesterol levels, blood pressure and maximal oxygen uptake, a measure of cardiovascular fitness, after playing for an hour every other day for six weeks. “Because the paddle’s so small, pickleball is great for hand-eye coordination as well as neuromuscular coordination,” said Heather Milton, a clinical exercise physiologist at the Sports Performance Center at NYU Langone Health. “You’re moving in different planes, not just forward like you do when you’re walking or cycling, which is good for your agility. And because there’s rotation involved, you’re working your core along with your upper and lower extremities.” Less than a quarter of U.S. adults get enough physical activity, and that percentage decreases with age. One of the main barriers to exercising is a lack of social interaction, a big source of motivation. But while 50 percent of people quit exercising six months after starting, research shows that picklers keep coming back to the court again and again, primarily because the game is so social. Pickleball can also improve your well-being:

According to another study of picklers age 50 and older, those who were more serious about the sport tended to be more satisfied with their lives. The same researchers found an inverse relationship between “serious leisure” — in this case, playing pickleball competitively — and levels of depression.
4/11/2023 12:25 AM
126 Supportive Please install more than one court part of pickle ball is how inclusive it is and easy to play for people of all ages.
4/10/2023 8:36 PM
127 Supportive I play Pickle at Neelon. The busiest times are 9:30am-1pm every day.( I understand that's NOT the busy time at the HPP courts on weekdays. Seems you could line 1 tennis court for pickle until 1pm on weekdays.) Weekends at Neelon are busy all day long.

There are ALWAYS more people playing Pickle then tennis at Neelon. 4/10/2023 5:27 PM
128 Multi-Sport Needed I don't have interest in pickleball, but am interested in the idea of there being a multi-sport court, specifically to have the opportunity to play basketball 4/10/2023 5:03 PM
129 Supportive Pickleball is so popular and easy to pick up I think this would be a big attraction! 4/10/2023 4:58 PM 130 Supportive It’s low cost and easy to add Pickleball to one or more existing tennis courts.

Let’s at least give it a try.
4/10/2023 3:12 PM
131 Fastest growing sport in the USA. Built it and they will come. 4/10/2023 2:00 PM 132 Supportive We're very supportive of bringing pickleball to the Hollbrook Palmer courts. It can be done at low cost, and there's lots of interest in it. 4/10/2023 12:31 PM
133 Noisy Pickleball is too noisy. Not fair to the neighbors! 4/10/2023 10:27 AM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
8 / 10
134 Supportive thanks for considering adding pickleball courts, they will get good use if Nealon Park pickleball courts in Menlo Park are any indication. 4/10/2023 8:19 AM
135 Convert Handball I only support converting handball court to pickleball. As it is, the tennis courts, especially during peak hours and summer, are very busy with lessons which doesn’t leave a lot of options for people to reserve.
4/9/2023 9:10 PM
136 Noisy The experience from other pickleball locations has shown that pickleball is too noisy for the current tennis court location - please take into consideration residents of Felton Gables.

Also, the tennis courts are already highly utilized by tennis players. 4/9/2023 7:18 PM
137 Supportive As the population at large is aging, a sport such as pickleball rather than tennis will help reduce physical restrictions that may come with aging and preserve one’s tolerance and hence enjoyment of outdoor sports. Thanks for the consideration. 4/9/2023 5:07 PM
138 Noisy The noise level from Holbrook Palmer tennis games is audible at a number of homes along Felton Drive in Felton Gables. The much louder noise of pickleball paddle-whacking and the social chatter that goes with the game would be truly intrusive to those people affected at home AND to the many more who use the park frequently, including my family. Many of us in the neighborhood regularly use the park for walks, picnics, playtime, a dose of quiet nature, and more.
4/9/2023 4:01 PM
139 Supportive If you build it they will come! Additional tax revenue will be added by players buying lunch or dinner at local restaurants. We have seen this in the little town of San Juan Bautista.
4/9/2023 2:07 PM
140 Supportive I would like to see 2 pickleball courts not 1 at HP. 4/9/2023 8:54 AM 141 Too Busy Already It’s currently often impossible to find a tennis court because Player Capital is allowed to book most of the courts days before key holders are allowed to book courts, so there in practice are often only 1 or 2 public courts. Converting them into pickleball courts would make it impossible for anyone to play tennis except those paying Player Capital. 4/9/2023 5:25 AM
142 Supportive Each of these options is a good idea. I am glad the city is considering adding this feature to the park.
4/9/2023 12:48 AM
143 Supportive Convert one tennis court to 4 pickle ball courts 4/8/2023 11:49 PM 144 Use Other Space I do not support converting any tennis courts to multi-use or pickleball. The only option above I support is to repurpose an underutilized space. The options cannot be ranked as they are all unacceptable. Thank you.
4/8/2023 9:09 PM
145 Too Busy Already I hate when I can’t find a court because they are always giving lessons on like 4 courts
4/8/2023 8:37 PM
146 Supportive Pickleball is a tremendous activity for seniors but also is all inclusive for everyone!
4/8/2023 7:01 PM
147 Supportive We need pickle ball in atherton! 4/8/2023 6:10 PM 148 Supportive Pickle seems to coexist with tennis in both RWC and Portola Valley. It would be great if I could play at my own local park\thanks
4/8/2023 5:15 PM
149 Thank you for considering. 4/8/2023 5:10 PM
150 Supportive Finally! It’s a great sport for residents of Atherton! 4/8/2023 4:45 PM 151 Noisy Pickleball is very noisy for both park users and neighbors. There are not enough open tennis courts as is especially w all of the courts used for lessons. If they must have a pickle ball court then pave the clay court as it is seldom used. Also, there a plenty of pickle ball courts in neighboring cities like MP, RWC and Palo.
4/8/2023 4:11 PM
152 Supportive I think the city should build at least two pickleball courts. One will be insufficient and it will be more expensive to build them serially.
4/8/2023 2:08 PM
153 Too Busy Already It is hard to get a tennis court at the times I want it, so I hope that the availability of tennis courts is not reduced.
4/8/2023 11:28 AM
154 Supportive Pickleball has become extremely popular across the US. One court will not be enough. You will need to put in at least 6 courts to start. 4/8/2023 10:43 AM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
9 / 10
155 Supportive Seems like the town should at least do a temporary pickle ball option to gauge interest. More people we know are playing pickle ball than tennis. 4/8/2023 9:48 AM
156 Noisy We are very concerned about the noise of pickle ball since we our Felton Gables home borders the park.
4/8/2023 8:16 AM
157 I have attended and commented in person on the process of getting pickleball at HP. This survey is a good start but i am suspicious of the council who have no clue how to manage adding pickleball while being transparent about the tennis contract as it stands. 4/8/2023 7:51 AM
158 Too Busy Already It will be too crowded and much more noisy. 4/7/2023 10:06 PM 159 Supportive Many other towns have figured out how to have both tennis and pickleball so hopefully Atherton can figure it out as well.
4/7/2023 8:23 PM
160 Too Busy Already I do not support converting a tennis court to pickle ball court. Tennis courts are always booked as it is.
4/7/2023 8:06 PM
161 Eject the school, which is not a park purpose. Add a dog park. 4/7/2023 6:56 PM 162 Thank You 4/7/2023 6:56 PM
163 Too Busy Already I am strongly against using any of the tennis courts for pickleball. The courts are already quite full between Player Capital lessons and recreational use. 4/7/2023 5:55 PM
164 Noisy Pickleball is so noisy. If there is enough demand can it be built away from the neighbors and near the pedestrian entrance by the railroad crossing? 4/7/2023 5:04 PM
165 Noisy I am a tennis player and play at other clubs as well. While I like and occasionally play Pickleball, the downside of it is that it is an extremely loud game (racquet against ball) but also tends to lend itself to lots of yelling and banter which can be distracting to tennis players. I would only fully support a separate space in the park. I have heard many a tennis player complain in clubs where they are in proximity to one another. 4/7/2023 4:50 PM
166 Use Other Space I'm thinking about getting a tennis key this year. I'm both a tennis player and a pickleball player, so that I don't want to have any tennis court converted to a permanent pickleball court.
4/7/2023 4:38 PM
167 Noisy Circus club has a bad experience. It’s a very noisy sport. The balls are hard and echo.

They had to place the courts as far away as possible with upset members do to the loud hitting noises The neighbors should be aware of the noise.
4/7/2023 4:37 PM
168 Supportive Yes! Pickleball would be a great addition. The more opportunities for residents to be active the better. Most of the courts are not being utilized. 4/7/2023 4:32 PM
169 Supportive So much fun! 4/7/2023 4:09 PM
170 Supportive Pickleball is so much fun and great for community building! Please allow us residents to enjoy pickleball!
4/7/2023 4:06 PM
171 Noisy Pickleball noise (70db at 100ft). Will annoy and disturb the tennis players. The noise in many articles is called “disturbing and annoying”. Noise will be higher since players will be closer than 100 ft. Pickleball is a popular good sport, but it should never be played near tennis courts or a home. Tennis is being managed very well at HPP. It should not be changed where it is always a problem.
4/7/2023 3:58 PM
172 Supportive It is an excellent idea 4/7/2023 3:54 PM 173 The town should run a trial first to gauge resident pickleball interest. That will inform the decision of whether and how many permanent pickleball courts to have. Moreover, the town can evaluate whether noise will be an issue during the trial and how to mitigate the sound if permanent courts are chosen.
4/7/2023 3:47 PM
174 Too Busy Already We play tennis almost everyday at HPP and do support pickleball for other but only if it has zero impact on the tennis activities. Tennis courts are already very busy at peak hours and reallocating tennis courts will only make things worse. Pickleball should have a new area of HPP dedicated to it, taking into account the noise nuisance for the neighborhood and also requires proper planning for the extra parking & traffic which will impact the other visitors of the park. Finally the clay court may not be used as much as the other courts but it is very important for the tennis player at the competition level because these type of courts are 4/7/2023 3:44 PM

Community Pickleball Interest Survey
10 / 10
mostly used in other parts of the world such as Europe and they are really hard to find. Or in other words we are extremely lucky and grateful to have a clay court at HPP, so please do not give it up !
175 Use Other Space There are a lot of underutilized areas in the park. Best is to add permanently 2 courts of pickle ball so to make the park more enticing to all residents. If in the long run there are more interests of pickle ball & underutilization of tennis courts, then we can consider converting 1 tennis court into 2 pickle ball courts. 4/7/2023 3:38 PM
176 Too Busy Already Aside from the clay court, which as you note, is under- utilized, I would not suggest converting one of the regular tennis courts either temporarily or permanently, as there are times, when it is already difficult to book a tennis court due to Player Capital use for lessons.
4/7/2023 3:26 PM
177 (I play both pickball and tennis) You will need to think about the social nature of pickleball, which is different from tennis. With tennis, you coordinate and schedule your partner/foursome and play. Pickleball, you show up and put your paddle on a rack and play with random people.

Will the court be open all the time? Will everyone who plays need a key? Will you have to schedule it with the court scheduler app? Permanent is a better option so you don't have mobile nets and multiple lines. Also, BIG NO to the multisport court. Put basketball elsewhere - not on the tennis courts.
4/7/2023 3:19 PM
178 Too Busy Already I oppose the repurposing of tennis courts for pickleball. As it is I find it difficult to schedule tennis courts because of Player Capital , now adding Pickleball will only make it harder. Why not add a PB court in a different part of the park, without disturbing the tennis courts.
4/7/2023 3:13 PM
179 Supportive Please add permanent pickleball courts. It is so much fun and growing wildly in popularity.
4/7/2023 3:09 PM

Park and Rec Committee
June 7, 2023 Pickleball Recommendation to Council
The Park and Rec Committee recommends Council direct Staff to implement a three-month trial of pickleball at Holbrook Palmer Park on the following terms:

Court 1 shall be converted to a court shared between tennis and pickleball by the addition of temporary pickleball striping and the use of removable pickleball nets.

In order to track the usage all players will sign in and will obtain a key for using the pickleball court. The keys will be available only to Atherton residents, without cost, and they may invite non-residents to play with them. The sign-in at the court will require all players to put down their addresses so that we can track usage.

The pickleball court will be available from 9 to 12 each morning.

The Town shall incur the cost of dual temporary striping of one tennis court for pickleball courts in addition to 4 temporary nets.

During the three-month period, Staff will monitor and record the usage by residents and non-residents, as well as any complaints as to noise from nearby residents, tennis players and others in the Park, and any parking issues created by pickleball players.

Alex Keh, Chairman