Approved July 21, 2025
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California
Present: Mayor Kavita Tankha, Vice Mayor Rajiv Bhateja, Council Member Stanley Mok, Council Member Swan, and Council Member George Tyson
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Peter Pirnejad, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Deputy City Manager Cody Einfalt, Community Development Director Jay Bradford, and City Clerk Arika BirdsongMiller CALL TO ORDER (5:00 P.M.)
Mayor Tankha called the meeting to order at 5 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Kavita Tankha, Vice Mayor Rajiv Bhateja, Council Member Stanley Mok, Council Member Linda Swan, and Council Member Tyson were present.
1. AGENDA REVIEW
There were no modifications to the agenda.
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
There were no public comments.
Mayor Kavita Tankha announced that she would recuse herself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest, as her property is located within the high fire hazard zone. She explained that Council Members are required to recuse themselves when they have an economic interest in the matter under consideration. Vice Mayor Rajiv Bhateja assumed the role of presiding officer for the item.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Waive Reading and Adopt an Ordinance of the Town of Los Altos Hills designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones pursuant to Government Code Section 51179, based on the map titled “Town of Los Altos Hills Fire Hazard Severity Zones”, which reflects CALFIRE recommendations and local amendments. Properties are designated as moderate, high, or very high, with findings supported by substantial evidence for those reclassified to very high. (Staff: J. Bradford)
Waive Reading and Adopt the Ordinance
Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Council Member Mok requested that the Consent Calendar ITEM 3A be pulled for separate discussion.
Community Development Director Jay Bradford presented an overview of the proposed ordinance and updated the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map for Los Altos Hills. He explained that the Town is required by state law to adopt an updated map by June 24, 2025, following Cal Fire’s release of new data in February. Bradford detailed the process undertaken, including multiple Council meetings, interagency coordination (e.g., with Cal Fire, Santa Clara County Fire, and local stakeholders), and technical consultations with nonprofit insurance risk organizations.
He reviewed the scientific basis Cal Fire uses to determine fire hazard zones, including vegetation, topography, wind patterns, and ember behavior. The Town built upon Cal Fire’s base map, aligning it to parcel-level accuracy using GIS data and applying a conservative approach by assigning the highest applicable hazard level where discrepancies occurred. He emphasized that the Town cannot reduce designations but may increase them for safety and consistency.
Director Bradford shared examples of localized adjustments made based on site-specific terrain, fuel loads, and evacuation constraints, such as around Buena Vista Drive and Old Ranch Road. He explained that properties were sometimes reclassified into higher hazard zones if even a small portion intersected a higher-risk area.
He clarified that the local map will not directly impact insurance rates but helps show a commitment to risk mitigation, which can influence insurer decisions and support property values. The updated FHSZ map, combined with visible mitigation efforts, is intended to enhance community resilience, support defensible space and home hardening strategies, and provide a foundation for informed decision-making and long-term wildfire preparedness.
Santa Clara County Fire Department Chief Tony Estrada explained that County Fire’s role was to support the Town of Los Altos Hills by collaborating closely with the Community Development Department, particularly Jay Bradford and his team. Their focus was to help identify areas and conditions that could increase fire risk based on Cal Fire’s methodology.
Chief Estrada noted that while fire hazard mapping had existed for State Responsibility Areas (SRA), this was the first time such mapping had been applied locally within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA), and impacts were anticipated.
County Fire conducted site evaluations, driving the roads and assessing properties, terrain, and operational concerns such as emergency access and fire progression. They verified specific hazard characteristics and provided yes/no assessments for each area. County Fire also offered operational input and engaged in collaborative discussions with Town staff, clarifying findings when needed. Chief Estrada emphasized that while County Fire provided technical input, the final responsibility for adopting the updated fire hazard map rests with the local jurisdiction.
City Manager Peter Pirnejad emphasized that the Town of Los Altos Hills is the lead agency responsible for adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map and ordinance.
He clarified that only the Town Council can make the final policy decision, based on the Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
professional recommendation provided by staff. Pirnejad praised the collaborative work led by Community Development Director Jay Bradford, noting extensive coordination with outside agencies, including the Santa Clara County Fire Department and nonprofit organizations.
He explained that the local mapping process involved refining Cal Fire’s broad, statewide designations to a parcel-specific level. In cases where a parcel contained multiple hazard zones, the highest designation was applied in accordance with state and county interpretation—local agencies are not permitted to downgrade hazard levels.
Mr. Pirnejad acknowledged community concerns about impacts on insurance and property values and reiterated that extensive public input had been received and reviewed. He noted that staff's role is to make a professional, data-driven recommendation, while the Council has the authority to adopt or reject the proposal.
He provided a procedural overview, stating that the item before Council represented the second reading of the ordinance, following a 3–1 vote on May 15 to proceed. While typically placed on the consent calendar, he acknowledged that the item had drawn significant public interest and warranted further discussion. He concluded by thanking the Santa Clara County Fire Department for their consistent engagement throughout the process.
Vice Mayor Bhateja shared his position on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map prior to public comment. He explained that adoption of the Town’s ordinance would take effect in 30 days unless challenged. While acknowledging the thorough work of staff, he expressed fundamental concerns with the methodology used to develop the Town’s map.
He maintained that the Town conflated hazard (natural conditions such as terrain, vegetation, and fire weather) with risk (factors like access, evacuation routes, and building vulnerabilities), which he believes are not appropriate criteria for determining hazard designations. Vice Mayor Bhateja stated that this approach deviated from Cal Fire’s sciencebased methodology and could expose the Town to legal challenges due to inconsistent application of standards.
He also raised concerns about the lack of direct notification to property owners whose parcels were elevated to higher designations and noted that no other local jurisdictions in the state have adopted anything other than the Cal Fire map. He questioned why Los Altos Hills was deviating from this standard and warned that singling out 50 properties with added disclosure requirements could be seen as punitive and ineffective.
Instead, he advocated for a town-wide approach focused on fire mitigation, including enhanced defensible space enforcement, vegetation management on public lands, and collaboration with the Fire District. He noted that the Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee (EPRC) recommended adopting the state map while pursuing town-wide resilience strategies through a separate ordinance.
Vice Mayor Bhateja concluded by urging respectful dialogue on this emotionally charged topic, remarking, “Fires are hot, debates don’t have to be.” Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Public Comment:
1. Kian Malek, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed concern about the growing threat of wildfires, as well as the potential negative impact of a permanent high fire hazard designation on his property. He stated that such a designation could reduce property values and make it more difficult to obtain insurance.
Mr. Malek urged the Council to reject the proposed local fire hazard map and instead adopt the base Cal Fire map paired with a town-wide Firewise ordinance. He argued that this approach would enhance fire safety without creating long-term classifications that burden a small number of parcels. He referenced similar efforts in Mill Valley and Berkeley, which have adopted community-wide ordinances to address wildfire risk more equitably.
He emphasized the importance of shared responsibility and protecting the entire town, not just 50 properties, while also preserving local control in the face of increasing state mandates. Mr.
Malek concluded by encouraging the Council to “do this right” and implement a fair, locally driven solution that does not harm property values.
2. Eric Bredo, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed support for Vice Mayor Bhateja’s remarks and added a few concerns of his own. He questioned how property designations under the proposed fire hazard map could be revised or removed in the future, noting a lack of clarity on how affected properties could be reclassified.
Mr. Bredo also criticized the approach as divisive, stating that it appeared to single out certain property owners and fostered a sense of blame. He advocated for a more constructive, community-oriented strategy that offers guidance and services rather than punitive measures.
He encouraged the Council to pursue a positive, collaborative approach to fire safety.
3. Dana Staller, a Los Altos Hills resident, stated that she is not one of the 50 impacted property owners but strongly supports adopting the state fire hazard maps. She expressed agreement with Vice Mayor Bhateja’s presentation and concerns.
Ms. Staller remarked that the Town already makes it difficult to remove trees and suggested that there is significantly more that can be done to mitigate wildfire risk. She advocated for a more democratic and equitable approach to fire safety—one that applies uniformly across the community and achieves better results for all residents.
4. Cheryl Evans, a Los Altos Hills resident, opposed the proposed ordinance and map, stating it unfairly penalizes over 150 residents without reducing town-wide fire risk. She emphasized the need to focus on actual risk factors—such as ignition zones, eucalyptus trees, and Diablo winds—outlined in the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Ms. Evans urged the Council to vote no and instead develop a comprehensive, community-informed fire mitigation plan.
5. Eric Evans, a Los Altos Hills resident, opposed the Town’s proposed fire hazard map, stating that his property was incorrectly upgraded to the “very high” zone despite Cal Fire data showing only a small portion in that category. He disputed the accuracy of the staff report and criticized the lack of clear public notification. Mr. Evans urged the Council to reverse the May 15 vote and adopt the unaltered Cal Fire map, suggesting future amendments be made only after comprehensive community input.
Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
6. Peggy Lizaur, a Los Altos Hills resident, voiced support for the state fire hazard map and Vice Mayor Bhateja’s presentation. She expressed concern over the lack of direct notification after learning her property had been reclassified as “very high” due to a small corner falling in that zone. Ms. Lizaur questioned the basis for applying the highest designation to entire parcels and noted that her street does not match the staff’s description. She urged the Council to adopt the state map.
7. Pedro Lizaur, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed concern over last-minute changes to the agenda and the shifting characterization of the map from a “state map” to a “city map.” He stated that this change was misleading and compromised proper public notification. Mr.
Lizaur challenged statements made by staff regarding Cal Fire’s involvement, disputed the legal justification provided for map changes to his property, and criticized the Town’s communication and treatment of residents. He urged the Council to adopt the official Cal Fire map.
8. Dinesh Khurana, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed support for adopting the Cal Fire map and raised concerns about the Town’s designation of his street as a high fire hazard area.
He noted that all homes on his cul-de-sac were marked as “high” without clear justification, while nearby homes were not. Mr. Khurana questioned the scientific basis and consistency of the designations, particularly when based on evacuation risk rather than actual fire hazard.
City Manager Peter Pirnejad clarified that Jay Logan does not represent the Los Altos Hills County Fire District in a personal capacity and that the Santa Clara County Fire District has not taken an official position on the proposed fire hazard maps. He emphasized that while both the Fire District and County Fire Department were consulted and collaborated with staff, they do not issue formal recommendations. The official position on the map rests solely with the Town.
9. Alexi Tumarkin, a Los Altos Hills resident, criticized the Town staff’s approach to the fire hazard map as unscientific and lacking quantifiable criteria. He stated that if the same data as the State was used, then the State’s scientifically developed methodology should be followed.
Mr. Tumarkin argued that the State map already accounts for property boundaries and that staff failed to present a clear, data-driven justification for local modifications. He urged the Council to adopt the unaltered State map.
10. Kira Hartz, a Los Altos Hills resident, opposed the proposed fire hazard map, stating that reclassifying 50 or more properties does nothing to reduce overall fire risk in the Town. She cited a quote from the staff report emphasizing the urgency of mitigation and agreed that stronger fire safety efforts are needed, but argued the current proposal fails to achieve that.
Ms. Hartz urged the Council to reconsider and make a decision that truly enhances community safety.
11. Tiffany Coan, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed full agreement with the comments made by Kira Hartz and Vice Mayor Bhateja, stating that her points had already been addressed.
Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
12. Andy Coan, a Los Altos Hills resident, thanked the Council and spoke in opposition to the proposed fire hazard map. He emphasized that Los Altos Hills is a proactive community that has taken individual steps to reduce fire risk without mandates. Mr. Coan noted that over 400 residents signed a petition opposing the ordinance, with more signatures expected. He stated that, if necessary, residents are prepared to pursue a referendum. He also highlighted PG&E’s recent wildfire prevention efforts and expressed a desire to collaborate on town-wide mitigation strategies rather than adopt a blanket hazard designation.
13. Pirooz and Violet Parvaranden, Los Altos Hills residents, Pirooz Parvaranden, speaking on behalf of himself and his wife Violet Parvaranden, opposed the proposed fire hazard map and urged the Council to reconsider. He argued that the decision is effectively irreversible and carries a responsibility for higher due diligence. He expressed strong concern over the potential harm to current residents, particularly regarding insurance impacts, and criticized what he viewed as a lack of alternative options and transparency in the decision-making process. Mr. Parvaranden emphasized that hazard designations should be scientifically justified and that current residents’ voices should be prioritized. He concluded with a metaphor likening the affected homeowners to being unfairly marked and exposed to harm, urging the Council to lead with responsibility and integrity.
14. Jerry Haslan, a Los Altos Hills resident and realtor, challenged the staff’s assertion that the proposed fire hazard designations would not impact property values or insurance availability. Drawing on his 31 years of experience, he stated that insurance companies are already looking for reasons to drop coverage and raise rates, and that hazard reclassifications will only make it worse. He noted that buyers are deterred by properties in high-risk zones, which can negatively affect both marketability and value.
15. Sunita Sethi, a Los Altos Hills resident, thanked staff for their work but expressed concerns about flaws in the analysis behind the proposed fire hazard map. She emphasized that the law allows for local discretion and does not mandate always defaulting to the higher hazard classification. Ms. Sethi warned that misinterpretation could lead to legal challenges.
She questioned why the Town’s map changed when key risk factors, such as fire behavior and nearby preserves, have not. She urged the Council to focus resources on fire mitigation efforts rather than reclassification.
16. Craig Hansen, a Los Altos Hills resident and attorney with over 20 years of legal experience, urged the Council to reject the proposed local amendments to the Cal Fire hazard map. He argued that under Government Code Section 51179, the Town may only increase hazard designations with substantial, localized evidence, something he stated the Town has not provided. Mr. Hansen emphasized that Cal Fire’s map is based on a peer-reviewed, science-based model, and the Town’s justification relied instead on generalities without parcel-specific data. He warned that adopting the ordinance could expose the Town to legal challenges for acting arbitrarily and violating equal protection standards.
17. Gerda Cristal, a Los Altos Hills resident, thanked the Council and expressed support for Vice Mayor Bhateja’s position against adopting Option 2. She commended his thoughtful guidance and urged the Council to proceed cautiously, noting the potential for unintended consequences. Ms. Cristal referenced the Town’s ongoing litigation related to the Arastradero Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Fire as an example of how decisions made with good intentions can have long-term legal impacts.
18. Namita Khurana, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed support for earlier comments and emphasized the importance of focusing on fire mitigation efforts.
19. Ravi Kumar Assudani, a Los Altos Hills resident, shared her personal experience with insurance challenges. After purchasing her home, her insurance premium increased fourfold, and she later received a list of mandatory compliance changes before the insurer canceled her policy anyway. She eventually secured coverage through a startup, which has since issued a cancellation notice. Ms. Sudani warned that even homes currently in moderate zones are being impacted, and she urged the Council to take the insurance consequences of the proposed map seriously.
20. Katie Purdom, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed support for adopting the unmodified Cal Fire map. She highlighted discrepancies between staff interpretations and what is shown on the Cal Fire GIS map, using a specific property on Buena Vista Drive as an example. Ms.
Purdom noted that while the property is primarily in a moderate zone with a small sliver in a higher zone, the Cal Fire data indicates that local jurisdictions have discretion on whether to elevate the designation. She warned that proceeding based on incorrect assumptions could expose the Town to legal risk.
21. Richard Minton, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed concern about the potential impact of the proposed fire hazard map on insurance and property values. He noted confusion over the claim that property values would not be affected, pointing out that his property was elevated to a higher hazard zone while a nearby neighbor’s was not. Mr. Minton questioned the validity of the analysis, stating that as a buyer, he would prefer a home not designated in a higher risk zone, which could influence market value.
22. Bridget Morgan, a Los Altos Hills resident, stated her property is within the yellow zone under both the Cal Fire and amended Town maps. She shared that she contacted Jay Logan from the Los Altos Hills County Fire District, who confirmed that neither the District nor Santa Clara County Fire has taken a formal position on the map. Ms. Morgan emphasized the need for written input from Central Fire if it influenced staff’s recommendation. She expressed support for adopting the Cal Fire map and encouraged the Council to reject the Town’s amended map.
23. Tom Goff, a Los Altos Hills resident, voiced strong opposition to expanding the Cal Fire map. While supportive of wildfire risk reduction, he stated the proposed changes may not improve safety and would likely worsen insurance access and affordability. He noted that over 40 admitted insurance carriers have exited the market in the last five years, leaving only four, with premiums rising over 250%. Goff cautioned that proprietary insurance risk models would likely factor in the Council’s map decisions, regardless of intent. He urged the Council to focus on more effective mitigation measures such as undergrounding power lines, enhancing brush clearing, and targeting unmanaged lots.
24. John O’Connell, a Los Altos Hills resident, criticized the lack of direct notification to affected residents regarding the proposed fire map changes, noting greater public turnout this Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
month. He opposed deviations from the Cal Fire map, stating prior feedback had been ignored.
He urged the Council to represent residents’ interests, not personal views, and warned that the Town’s mapping efforts lacked scientific rigor. He concluded by advocating for meaningful fire mitigation, such as avoiding high-density housing in steep terrain, rather than altering fire zone maps.
25. Allan Epstein, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed continued opposition to the Town's proposed modified fire hazard map, reiterating his recommendation from the previous meeting. He emphasized that the large public turnout demonstrated widespread disagreement with the Council’s direction and signaled a lack of adequate representation. Epstein urged the Council to adopt the state Cal Fire map instead and focus on collaborative mitigation efforts town-wide. He stressed that targeting approximately 50 properties without substantial evidence was unfair and provided minimal benefit to overall fire risk reduction.
26. Dave Stewart and Amita Sachdeva, Los Altos Hills residents, representing the Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee (EPRC) clarified they do not have a conflict of interest, as their properties are already designated “Very High” under the existing Cal Fire map and are unaffected by the proposed changes. They expressed appreciation for staff member Jay Bradford’s expertise and commitment. Following a June 10th special meeting, the EPRC voted 5–2 to recommend that the Council adopt the state minimum Cal Fire map and pursue additional local ordinances to strengthen wildfire resilience. They shared both the majority view, favoring ordinance changes over formal map amendments due to potential unintended consequences, and the minority view, which supported adopting the Town’s recommended map as a more immediate path to improved wildfire mitigation.
27. Dru Anderson, a Los Altos Hills resident, explained that the Saddle Mountain area, the first neighborhood in Los Altos Hills to join the Firewise USA program, shared her perspective on community-driven wildfire preparedness. She emphasized that mitigation efforts like education, property assessments, and annual vegetation management are more impactful than map designations. Dru noted Saddle Mountain’s coordinated mowing program and encouraged broader Town support for expanding Firewise participation.
28. Martha Bowden, a Los Altos Hills resident, thanked a previous speaker for sharing a map showing Diablo winds and eucalyptus groves, and requested that the Town make it available on its website. She voiced support for adopting the Cal Fire map and criticized the proposed Town map (Map 2) as offering no direct fire mitigation benefits while negatively impacting property values. Martha also urged the Town to reinstate past programs to help residents remove hazardous and dead trees.
Council Member Tyson began by thanking the community for taking time to attend the meeting and engage in the discussion. He shared his background, noting that he is in his seventh year on the City Council and his eleventh year as a Fire District Commissioner, and emphasized that wildfire safety has long been a personal and professional priority. Tyson acknowledged receiving and reading the many emails and the community petition, and expressed appreciation for the public’s perspectives.
He addressed several concerns raised by residents, beginning with the Cal Fire map. While he respects Cal Fire’s expertise, he noted that their maps used a broad and less precise methodology, often evaluating 20-acre areas at a time. He explained that Cal Fire allows Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
jurisdictions to increase, though not decrease, designations based on local knowledge, and he felt the Town had a duty to consider specific local conditions, such as narrow, winding roads and challenging access points. He said his own observations while walking the Town’s roads have left him deeply concerned about fire risk.
Council Member Tyson also responded to concerns about insurance and property values.
While sympathetic to residents facing insurance cancellations or cost increases, he believes insurance companies operate on their own models and would likely make coverage decisions regardless of the local map. He acknowledged that property value concerns are valid, but stated that preventing wildfire and protecting lives is a higher priority. He also noted fairness concerns—such as parcels being affected by proximity to designated areas—but said detailed parcel-by-parcel mapping was not feasible under the State’s timeline.
Regarding the suggestion to focus more on education rather than remapping, Tyson pushed back, pointing to multiple public seminars and Fire District efforts, including free home ignition zone evaluations. He encouraged residents to take advantage of these underutilized resources. He closed by expressing that although this has been a difficult and controversial process, he supports the Town’s decision to adopt the modified map. His decision, he said, is rooted in a thoughtful review of the data, public input, and a sincere concern for community safety.
Council Member Swan began by stating that she agreed with many of Council Member Tyson’s remarks and emphasized the seriousness of the decision before them. She acknowledged receiving a large number of emails from residents and, although she couldn't respond to each one, she assured the community that all were read. To underscore the gravity of wildfire risk, she referenced two impactful sources: Paradise, a book, and a Ron Howard film documenting the Paradise, California fire, and Fire Weather, which details the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta, Canada. Both, she said, were eye-opening and disturbing, and the issue has caused her—and likely others—sleepless nights.
Council Member Swan expressed concern over divisive rhetoric used during the process, particularly disagreeing with Council Member Bhateja’s reference to the designation as a “scarlet letter,” and criticized the process by which the EPRC came to its recommendation, suggesting that the committee did not operate independently and was led toward a predetermined outcome.
She stressed that wildfire mitigation cannot rely solely on voluntary homeowner efforts.
While she appreciated residents who had already cleared vegetation and hardened their homes, she emphasized the need for a town-wide, collective approach. The Town reviewed all affected properties individually, unlike the Cal Fire map, which used a broader 20-acre grid statewide. Swan noted that the Town’s analysis was more recent, localized, and detailed.
She highlighted several historic fires that came within two miles of Los Altos Hills, and pointed out that part of the Town was issued evacuation orders during the latter. Fires, she said, do not always adhere to designated hazard zones. She warned about narrow and deadend roads, which become lethal during evacuations, and explained how topography and weather contribute to fire behavior, including unpredictable elements like firenadoes.
Swan lauded the Town’s fire department and recounted the tragic 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire that claimed 19 elite firefighters. She urged the community to do everything possible to protect lives and property. Addressing concerns about insurance, she said she had personally spoken with the California Department of Insurance and State Farm, who confirmed that insurance companies use their own risk models—not Cal Fire’s maps—and that cancellations are already happening based on property-specific conditions.
Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 10 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
She rejected the notion that past fire absence guarantees future safety, citing increased climate volatility and studies identifying Los Altos Hills as an extreme wildfire risk area. Swan asserted that following other cities’ examples wasn’t necessarily prudent, noting that Los Altos Hills has often been ahead of the curve on important issues like housing and environmental policies.
She emphasized the importance of addressing both “hazard” and “risk,” arguing that weather and wind patterns, combined with high fuel loads and terrain, create a real threat. While acknowledging the impact on affected parcels, she said the Council had a responsibility to protect the entire community. She called this a “life and death decision,” not a debate over park amenities, and said her vote was informed by conscience and expert guidance. She concluded by urging continued mitigation efforts—including tree removal and other fire safety actions—and affirmed her vote to expand the very high fire hazard severity zone to include the additional 50 parcels.
Council Member Stanley Mok began by expressing gratitude to the community for attending the meeting and participating in the democratic process, as well as to the staff for their extensive work on this important issue. He acknowledged the severity of fire risks in Los Altos Hills and referenced recent fires in areas like Pacific Palisades and Altadena, where even neighborhoods outside official high fire risk zones experienced devastation. While recognizing that some homes can be hardened, he questioned whether designating 50 additional homes would make a significant difference. Council Member Mok emphasized the need for broader municipal ordinances modeled after Firewise standards to protect the entire town and help maintain access to fire insurance, which he noted has already become difficult and expensive for residents, including himself.
He explained that although he initially voted one way at the May 15th City Council Meeting to act quickly, he later realized that it was unfair to impose a lasting burden on a small group of property owners. Instead, he advocated for comprehensive town-wide standards and compliance mechanisms, stating that all residents must do their part to reduce fire hazards. He called for required hazard inspections for every property, sharing that he recently received a Firewise assessment on his own home and found it helpful. Council Member Mok urged residents to subscribe to the Town’s Weekly email for updates and emphasized that meaningful fire safety would require continued meetings, collaboration, and support from the community.
He suggested exploring a third option that accurately adopts the State’s official maps rather than expanding them. He voiced concerns that simply touching a high-risk area should not automatically place a property in the very high fire severity zone. Council Member Mok also pointed out that development density contributes to fire risk, noting that the Town’s one-acre lot minimums make it less susceptible than more crowded areas, provided residents maintain defensible space, remove hazards, and practice good property management. He concluded by advocating for more incentives or credits for residents who proactively reduce fire risk, suggesting this could be pursued through the County or fire district. He thanked everyone for their patience and attentiveness during this difficult decision-making process.
Council Member Tyson clarified a few key points in response to earlier comments. First, he noted that the Fire District already offers a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) evaluation incentive, where residents can receive a match of up to $3,000 for wildfire mitigation work if they use a licensed contractor. He then addressed a misunderstanding regarding fire zone mapping.
Tyson clarified that properties adjacent to very high fire severity zones are not automatically Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 11 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
designated as such. Instead, the Town may have adjusted some designations based on access risk, for example, if a lower-risk property must be accessed through higher-risk zones, that factor may elevate its classification under the Town's mapping approach.
Council Member Tyson also pointed out that even fire experts are divided on this issue: some, like Captain Estrada, favor the Town map, while others, such as Jay Logan and Denise Gulen, support the State map, though none speak officially for the Fire District.
Council Member Tyson made a motion to waive the reading of the second ordinance and to adopt the Ordinance that includes the local amendments as introduced by the City Council at the May 15th City Council Meeting. Council Member Swan seconded the motion. Vote 2-2, Motion Failed.
MOTION PASSED: 2-2
AYES: Swan, Tyson
NOES: Bhateja, Mok
RECUSE: None
ABSTAIN: Tankha
ABSENT: None
Following the failure of the motion to adopt the Town’s modified fire hazard severity zone (FHSZ) map, Vice Mayor Bhateja expressed interest in adopting the state map, as discussed during the May 15th meeting. However, City Attorney Steve Mattas clarified that the Council could not adopt a new or alternative ordinance during the meeting because only the locally amended ordinance had been properly introduced and agendized. According to California law, an ordinance must be introduced at least five days prior to adoption.
Attorney Mattas outlined two options:
1. Call a Special Meeting at least 24 hours later to introduce a new ordinance adopting the state’s FHSZ map.
2. Reconsider the May 15th action, which originally introduced the local map, and substitute the state map — but this would be less transparent to the public under the Brown Act.
For legal clarity and public notice, Attorney Mattas recommended calling a Special Meeting.
Vice Mayor Bhateja made a motion to call a Special Meeting for Friday, June 20th, at 9:00 AM to Consider Introducing an Ordinance adopting the CalFire State Map.
Council Member Mok seconded the motion. Vote 2-2, Motion Failed.
MOTION PASSED: 2-2
AYES: Swan, Tyson
NOES: Bhateja, Mok
RECUSE: None
ABSTAIN: Tankha
ABSENT: None
Los Altos Hills Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 12 Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Kavita Tankha, speaking as a private resident, shared concerns about the transparency surrounding the fire hazard severity zone (FHSZ) mapping process. She stated that her property was previously designated in the “moderate” zone and expressed that neither she, the Council, nor the public were made aware that the map presented to the City Council at the May 15th City Council meeting was not the original Cal Fire map.
She emphasized that it was unclear whether the map had been modified by staff to reflect adjusted interpretations, which were not disclosed in the ordinance language.
Mrs. Tankha believes that had this been properly communicated, the outcome of the previous vote might have been different. She urged the Council to hold a new meeting to reevaluate the matter, emphasizing that this lack of clarity undermined informed decision-making.
Council Member Tyson stated that he is willing to shift his vote to have a Special Meeting on Friday, June 20th.
Vice Mayor Bhateja made a motion to call a Special Meeting for Friday, June 20th at 9:00 AM to consider Waiving the Reading and Introducing an Ordinance adopting the CalFire State Map. The motion also included continuing the Regularly Adjourned Meeting from tonight to Tuesday, June 24th, at 5:00 PM. Council Member Mok seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED: 4-0
AYES: Bhateja, Mok, Swan, Tyson
NOES: None
RECUSE: None
ABSTAIN: Tankha
ABSENT: None
4. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS (items provided solely for informational purposes) A. FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget Informational Update (Staff: T. Leung) This item was provided for informational purposes only. No presentation was given to the City Council.
5. ADJOURN
Mayor Tankha adjourned the meeting by stating that this Adjourned Regular Meeting would be further continued to Tuesday, June 24th at 5:00 PM, for the purpose of considering adoption of the Ordinance that will be introduced at the Special Meeting on Friday, June 20th at 9 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Arika Birdsong-Miller