Portola Valley City Council
April 9, 2025

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Regular Meeting of the Town Council
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
7:00 PM

HYBRID MEETING
AGENDA
Judith Hasko, Mayor
Craig Taylor, Vice Mayor
Rebecca Flynn, Councilmember
Mary Hufty, Councilmember
Helen Wolter, Councilmember
HISTORICSCHOOLHOUSE - 765PortolaRoad,PortolaValley,CA 94028 Councilmember Mary Hufty will be attending remotely from Archbold Biological Field Station, Archbold Archives Room, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960 Remote Public Comments:

Meeting participants are encouraged to submit public comments in writing in advance of the meeting. Please submit your public comments by using the online form, by 1:00 PM on the day of the meeting. Time permitting, your correspondence will be uploaded to the website. All received questions will be forwarded to the Portola Valley Town Council for consideration during the meeting and included in the public record. Members of the public may also provide comments in person at the meeting. The agenda and staff report will be posted on the Town’s website by 5:00 PM the Friday prior to the meeting.

In-Person Public Comments: Please fill out and submit a Public Comment card to the Town Clerk or Mayor prior to speaking. The Mayor will call your name at the appropriate time. Each speaker’s time is limited to three (3) minutes. The Mayor reserves the right to limit speakers’ time, depending upon the number of speakers or other circumstances.

Assistance for People with Disabilities: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Town Clerk at (650) 851-1700 or by email at [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the Town to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL

2. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS

3. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
There are no written materials, and the Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.

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Town Council Agenda
April 9, 2025

4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Persons wishing to address the Town Council on any subject may do so now. Please submit a speaker’s slip located at the back of the room to the Town Clerk or Mayor, prior to speaking. Please note the Council is not able to undertake extended discussion or action on items not on the agenda. Each speaker’s time is limited to three (3) minutes.

5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Adopt Special Meeting Minutes of March 26, 2025
b. Adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of March 26, 2025
c. Approve Warrant List of April 9, 2025
d. Accept 2025 Committee Report from Wildfire Preparedness Committee e. Accept update of Town Council Priorities for 2025

6. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Rezoning to Address HCD Technical Assistance Letter
Hold a public hearing, waive first reading, and consider introduction of ordinances to:

Amend Zoning Code Table 18.15.050: Development Standards – Multi-Family Residential Zoning Districts to include note 2: A 2.48 acre portion of The Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 077-272-010) (included in Table 6-6 of the housing element) shall be developed as High Density Housing and that owneroccupied and rental multifamily uses are allowed by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households on the Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 077-272-010).

Amend Zoning Code Chapter 18.23 M-U (MIXED-USE) DISTRICT REGULATIONS, 18.23.070 to require a minimum of 50 percent of the square footage in a mixed-use development to be residential.

Rezone Parcel 077-272-010 (Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site) from Open Space O-A (R-E/2A/SD-2, Open Area 2 acres) to High-Density Residential (RMF-23, Multi-Family Residential 23 du/ac).

Or provide alternate direction to staff.

7. REGULAR AGENDA

Town Council Agenda
April 9, 2025

8. COLLEAGUE MEMORANDUM / AGENDA SETTING
a. Request from Councilmember Flynn regarding placing an item on a future agenda regarding Public Safety.
b. Request from Councilmember Wolter regarding placing an item on a future agenda regarding FireWise Communities for Wildfire Safety.

9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL

AGENCIES REPORTS
Oral and written reports arising out of Council subcommittee and liaison appointments to both in-town and regional committees and initiatives. The Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.

10. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Town Council meeting will be held on April 23, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

Land Acknowledgement:

The Town of Portola Valley acknowledges the colonial history of this land we dwell upon the unceded territory of the Ramaytush (rah-my-toosh) Ohlone, Tamien Nation, and Muwekma (mah-WEKmah) Ohlone, who endured a human and cultural genocide that included removal from their lands and their sacred relationship to the land. Portola Valley recognizes that we profit from the commodification of land seized from indigenous peoples and now bear the ecological consequences. We seek to understand the impact of these legacies on all beings and to find ways to make repair.

PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 26, 2025

1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mayor Hasko called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Roll call was taken by the Clerk.

Present: Councilmembers Rebecca Flynn (Arrived 6:39 p.m.), Mary Hufty, Helen Wolter, Vice Mayor Craig Taylor and Mayor Judith Hasko

Absent: None.

Others: Interim Town Manager Mark Linder, Assistant Town Manager Corie StockerPedalino, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Finance Director, Anthony McFarlane, Interim Planning and Building Director Terrence Grindall, Clerk Consultant Christine Boland

2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None.

3. STUDY SESSION
a. Discuss and update of Town Council Priorities
Councilmembers discussed the five Town Council Priorities:
• Financial Responsibility and Long-term Viability
• Safety
• Responsible Land Use
• Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Environmental Sustainability
Mayor Hasko invited public comment:

Public Comment
• David Cardinal
• Rita Comes
The Council recessed the Special meeting at 6:55 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Discussion continued. No action was taken on the priorities.

4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hasko adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.
_______________________________ _____________________________ Judith Hasko, Mayor Christine Boland, Clerk Consultant
Submitted for approval to the Town Council at its April 9, 2025 meeting.

PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 26, 2025

1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mayor Hasko called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Roll call was taken by the Clerk.

Present: Councilmembers Rebecca Flynn (Arrived 6:39 p.m.), Mary Hufty, Helen Wolter, Vice Mayor Craig Taylor and Mayor Judith Hasko

Absent: None
Others: Interim Town Manager Mark Linder, Asst. Town Manager Corie StockerPedalino, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Finance Director Anthony McFarlane, Interim Planning and Building Director Terrence Grindall, Clerk Consultant Christine Boland

2. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS – None.

3. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Interim Town Manager Linder provided an update on Town business. He invited Nile Estep from the Farmer’s Market to provide a brief update on the market.

4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• J.P. Coupal
• Sharif Etman
• Kristi C.

5. CONSENT AGENDA
Consent Agenda 5.a. was removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion.

Motion and second, Taylor and Flynn, moved approval of Consent Agenda items 5 b – e.

Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
a. Adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2025
Councilmember Flynn requested an addition to the Minutes of March 12, 2025, Page 2, item 6A, as follows: Village Square (884 Portola Road), Fogarty Winery parcel (19501 Skyline Blvd), Christ Church (815 Portola Road), and Hawthorns Historical Complex (near 800 Los Trancos Rd) and a link to the presentation in the minutes.

Motion and second, Flynn and Taylor, moved approval of the March 12, 2025 Minutes, as amended. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
b. Approve Warrant List of March 26, 2025

c. Approve appointment of Jackie Magno to Open Space Advisory Committee d. Adopt Resolution No. 2963-2025 Amending Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Authorization for Transfer of Funds
e. Adopt Resolution No. 2964-2025, Updating the Authorized Check Signers on Town Accounts at Technology Credit Union

6. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Receive presentation from Woodside Fire Protection District on State Fire Maps Fire Marshal, Kim Guillacci, Woodside Fire Protection District, provided a presentation on the State fire maps.

7. COLLEAGUE MEMORANDUM / AGENDA SETTING
a. Request from Councilmember Hufty: Consideration of a request to place an item on a future agenda to discuss partnering with Habitat for Humanity This item was removed from the agenda and not discussed. b. Request from Mayor Hasko and Councilmember Flynn: Consideration of encouraging Accessory Dwelling Unit/Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit development on residential properties
Motion and second, Flynn and Taylor, made a motion to add the item to a future Council agenda. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

8. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES

REPORTS
Councilmembers reported on several meetings they attended recently.

9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hasko announced the passing of former Mayor Sue Crane on March 14, 2025.

Councilmembers added their respective commentary.

The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
_______________________________ _____________________________ Judith Hasko, Mayor Christine Boland, Clerk Consultant
Submitted for approval to the Town Council at its April 9, 2025 meeting.

______________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Tony McFarlane, Finance Director
DATE: April 9, 2025
RE: Review and Accept Warrant List
RECOMMENDATION:

1. Review and accept the following Warrant List for the month of April:
04/09/2025 Warrant List

REPORT SUMMARY
The following table lists warrant activity by date, tracks starting and ending warrant numbers, and total amount of warrants issued.

The following table lists payments by fund.

The following table lists the warrants issued as EFT/ACH payments. EFT/ACH payments are recurring payments for contributions related to retirement and deferred compensation, workers’ compensation premiums, and utilities, etc.

Date
Ending
Warrant #
Warrant 4/9/2025 5020 5044 25 109,670.66 4/10/2025 3/26/2025 5019 Attached are Warrant Lists for:

Prior Warrant List
Type of Warrant Date
Starting
Warrant #
Ending
Warrant #
Total
Warrants Amount
Warrants
Released
Fund Date Amount
General 4/9/2025 88,526.36
Library 4/9/2025 1,110.27
Gas Tax 4/9/2025 350.57
Customer Deposits 4/9/2025 19,683.46
Total $ 109,670.66
Payments by Fund

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY

STAFF REPORT

The following table lists the warrants that were voided and the reason for the voided transaction.

The following table lists the warrants issued outside of the scheduled warrant list cycle for various reasons, such as processing error, reissuing a voided check, or employee separation.

DISCLOSURE
For additional information on any item disclosed in this report, please contact the Finance department directly at [email protected].

ATTACHMENTS

1. 04/09/2025 Warrant List Certification
Date Warrant # Issued to Fund Dept Purpose Amount
4/9/2025 5024 MissionSquare Retirement General Various March Deferred Compensation $ 2,224.50 4/9/2025 5024 Navia Benefit Solutions General 510 Employee Elected Deduction 233.33 4/9/2025 5028 CalPERS Health General Various April Premium 15,658.54 4/9/2025 5033 Verizon Wireless General 610 March Charges 691.94 4/9/2025 5040 Christine Boland General 310 March Services 14,787.50 Warrants issued as ACH/EFT
Date Warrant # Issued to Fund Dept Reason Amount
Warrants Voided
Date Warrant # Issued to Fund Dept Purpose Amount
Warrants Issued Outside of a Scheduled Warrant List
Date Warrant # Issued to Fund Dept Purpose Amount
Disclosure

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Warrant Disbursement Journal
April 9, 2025
Claims totaling $109,670.66 having been duly examined by me and found to be correct are hereby approved and verified by me as due bills against the Town of Portola Valley. Date _____________________________ ________________________________ Corie Stocker, Assistant Town Manager
Motion having been duly made and seconded, the above claims are hereby approved and allowed for payment. Signed and sealed this (Date) _____________________ _______________________________ _________________________________ Anthony McFarlane, Finance Director Mayor

apachreg Town of Portola Valley mmagahiz 04/02/2025 09:41 Page 1 Check Register
Check Vendor Vendor Name Check Check BW CheckNumber Number Amount Date TypeChecks for Cash Account: 910-11011-000 5020 53 BIG CREEK 804.51 04/09/255021 176 EXCEL LD 28.72 04/09/255022 179 FEDEX 196.39 04/09/255023 214 HINDERLITER DE LLAMAS & ASSOC 762.35 04/09/255024 218 MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT 2,224.50 04/09/25 EFTPS5025 330 NAVIA BENEFIT SOLUTIONS 233.33 04/09/25 EFTPS5026 330 NAVIA BENEFIT SOLUTIONS 200.00 04/09/255027 334 NOLTE ASSOCIATES INC 9,890.00 04/09/255028 364 PERS HEALTH 15,658.54 04/09/25 EFTPS5029 375 PLATINUM FACILITY SERVICES 4,936.68 04/09/255030 380 PURCHASE POWER 44.98 04/09/255031 406 RR DONNELLEY 652.52 04/09/255032 445 STANDARD INSURANCE CO. 543.13 04/09/255033 489 VERIZON WIRELESS 691.94 04/09/25 EFTPS5034 518 GOT GOPHERS? 1,050.00 04/09/255035 1016 SHUTE, MIHALY & WEINBERGER LLP 31,639.85 04/09/255036 1091 BOUCHER LAW, PC 4,659.00 04/09/255037 1151 CORIE STOCKER 92.00 04/09/255038 1186 AT&T CORP DBA ACC BUSINESS 731.59 04/09/255039 1195 LEAF CAPITAL FUNDING, LLC 143.89 04/09/255040 1197 CHRISTINE D. BOLAND 14,787.50 04/09/25 ACH5041 1242 SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM 18,333.00 04/09/255042 1243 SMC REGISTRATION & ELECTION DI 1,166.24 04/09/255043 1244 JAIME MALIKSI 100.00 04/09/255044 1245 LAUREN FRENZ 100.00 04/09/25Check totals: 76,074.85ACH totals: 14,787.50EFTPS totals: 18,808.31Wire transfer totals:Payment Manager totals:GRAND TOTALS 109,670.66Check totals: 76,074.85ACH totals: 14,787.50EFTPS totals: 18,808.31Wire transfer totals:Payment Manager totals:GRAND TOTALS 109,670.66

.
apapdinv2 mmagahiz Town of Portola Valley Page 1
09:41 04/02/25 Paid Invoices by Date
From: 04/09/2025 to 04/09/2025
Check Check Special Information Net Check Total Invoice Number Date Number Amount Invoices
Paid
Vendor: 53 BIG CREEK
04/09/25 5020 Redwood Construction Trail Post, Picnic Table Repairs 804.51 804.51 2381658 Vendor: 176 EXCEL LD
5021 March Telephone LD Services 28.72 28.72 1199445464 Vendor: 179 FEDEX
5022 Laptop Return Shipping 196.39 196.39 8-805-96959
Vendor: 214 HINDERLITER DE LLAMAS & ASSOC
5023 Contract Services Sales Tax Jan-Mar 2025 762.35 762.35 SIN048477 Vendor: 218 MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT
5024 Deferred Comp - March 31, 2025 2,224.50 2,224.50 MAR-202531 Vendor: 330 NAVIA BENEFIT SOLUTIONS
5025 Navia Benefit 03/31/2025 233.33 233.33 03312025
Vendor: 330 NAVIA BENEFIT SOLUTIONS
5026 March 2025 Monthly Fee 200.00 200.00 10955356
Vendor: 334 NOLTE ASSOCIATES INC
5027 Feb 25 Applicant Charges & PW Support 9,890.00 9,890.00 FEB-2025 Vendor: 364 PERS HEALTH
5028 April Health 15,658.54 15,658.54 100000017864336
Vendor: 375 PLATINUM FACILITY SERVICES
5029 Janitorial Services - March 2025 4,936.68 4,488.67 50424 Janitorial Services - Mar 2025. Fridays disinfection svcs 448.01 50425 Vendor: 380 PURCHASE POWER
5030 Postage Meter 44.98 44.98 7931-MAR25
Vendor: 406 RR DONNELLEY
5031 Check Payment Envelopes 652.52 652.52 903972177
Vendor: 445 STANDARD INSURANCE CO.
5032 LTD/Life Premium 543.13 543.13 2025-APR
Vendor: 489 VERIZON WIRELESS
5033 March Cellular 691.94 691.94 6109420337
Vendor: 518 GOT GOPHERS?

.
apapdinv2 mmagahiz Town of Portola Valley Page 2
09:41 04/02/25 Paid Invoices by Date
From: 04/09/2025 to 04/09/2025
Check Check Special Information Net Check Total Invoice NumberDate Number Amount Invoices Paid
04/09/25 5034 Town Fields Gopher Trapping- March 2025 1,050.00 1,050.00 80589 Vendor: 1016 SHUTE, MIHALY & WEINBERGER LLP
5035 February Legal Service 31,639.85 31,639.85 FEB-25-SMW Vendor: 1091 BOUCHER LAW, PC
5036 10/1/23-10/31/23 Legal Services 4,659.00 306.00 1687 09/1/23-09/30/23 Legal Services 4,353.00 1850
Vendor: 1151 CORIE STOCKER
5037 Cal Gov HR Reimbursement 92.00 92.00 FRRS-25-2
Vendor: 1186 AT&T CORP DBA ACC BUSINESS
5038 ACC Division of AT&T Ethernet/Internet Access 731.59 731.59 250709771 Vendor: 1195 LEAF CAPITAL FUNDING, LLC
5039 Toshiba Printer Copy Lease 143.89 143.89 18123566
Vendor: 1197 CHRISTINE D. BOLAND
5040 City Clerk Feb 2025 14,787.50 14,787.50 FEB-2025
Vendor: 1242 SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM
5041 Animal Control Costs 18,333.00 18,333.00 AC24-25-PORTOLA Vendor: 1243 SMC REGISTRATION & ELECTION DI
5042 Candidate General Elections 1,166.24 1,166.24 11052024 Vendor: 1244 JAIME MALIKSI
5043 Deposit Refund - Picnic Table 100.00 100.00 PROF-25-5 Vendor: 1245 LAUREN FRENZ
5044 Deposit Refund - Performance Lawn 100.00 100.00 PROF-25-21 Check Date Totals 109,670.66
Grand Total 109,670.66

apackfnd Checks by Fund - 04/09/25 to 04/09/25 Page 1
Town of Portola Valley 04/02/2025 mmagahiz 09:42
Vendor Name Invoice Description Invoice Amt.

Fund 101 Dept Balance Sheet
JAIME MALIKSI Deposit Refund - Picnic Table 100.00LAUREN FRENZ Deposit Refund - Performance L 100.00MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT Deferred Comp - March 31, 2025 2,224.50NAVIA BENEFIT SOLUTIONS Navia Benefit 03/31/2025 233.33 -----------------
Fund 101 Dept Total 2,657.83
Fund 101 Dept 120 Town Manager
CORIE STOCKER Cal Gov HR Reimbursement 92.00PERS HEALTH April Health 6,417.55 SMC REGISTRATION & ELECTION DI Candidate General Elections 1,166.24STANDARD INSURANCE CO. LTD/Life Premium 543.13 -----------------
Fund 101 Dept 120 Total 8,218.92
Fund 101 Dept 130 Town Clerk
CHRISTINE D. BOLAND City Clerk Feb 2025 14,787.50
-----------------
Fund 101 Dept 130 Total 14,787.50
Fund 101 Dept 140 Finance
HINDERLITER DE LLAMAS & ASSOC Contract Services Sales Tax Ja 762.35PERS HEALTH April Health 6,053.48 -----------------
Fund 101 Dept 140 Total 6,815.83
Fund 101 Dept 310 Planning Division
PERS HEALTH April Health 1,673.36
-----------------
Fund 101 Dept 310 Total 1,673.36
Fund 101 Dept 320 Building Division
PERS HEALTH April Health 557.79
-----------------
Fund 101 Dept 320 Total 557.79

apackfnd Checks by Fund - 04/09/25 to 04/09/25 Page 2
Town of Portola Valley 04/02/2025 mmagahiz 09:42
Vendor Name Invoice Description Invoice Amt.

Fund 101 Dept 410 Community Hall
PLATINUM FACILITY SERVICES Janitorial Services - March 20 1,081.49 -----------------
Fund 101 Dept 410 Total 1,081.49
Fund 101 Dept 420 Field Rentals
BIG CREEK Redwood Construction Trail Pos 453.94GOT GOPHERS? Town Fields Gopher Trapping- M 1,050.00 -----------------
Fund 101 Dept 420 Total 1,503.94
Fund 101 Dept 510 Public Works
NOLTE ASSOCIATES INC Feb 25 Applicant Charges & PW 1,057.25 PLATINUM FACILITY SERVICES Janitorial Services - March 20 2,296.91PLATINUM FACILITY SERVICES Janitorial Services - Mar 2025 448.01 -----------------
Fund 101 Dept 510 Total 3,802.17
Fund 101 Dept 610 Non-Departmental
AT&T CORP DBA ACC BUSINESS ACC Division of AT&T Ethernet/ 731.59BOUCHER LAW, PC 10/1/23-10/31/23 Legal Service 306.00BOUCHER LAW, PC 09/1/23-09/30/23 Legal Service 4,353.00EXCEL LD March Telephone LD Services 28.72FEDEX Laptop Return Shipping 196.39 LEAF CAPITAL FUNDING, LLC Toshiba Printer Copy Lease 143.89NAVIA BENEFIT SOLUTIONS March 2025 Monthly Fee 200.00PERS HEALTH April Health 956.36PURCHASE POWER Postage Meter 44.98RR DONNELLEY Check Payment Envelopes 652.52 SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM Animal Control Costs 18,333.00SHUTE, MIHALY & WEINBERGER LLP February Legal Service 20,789.14VERIZON WIRELESS March Cellular 691.94 -----------------
Fund 101 Dept 610 Total 47,427.53
-----------------
Fund 101 Total 88,526.36
Fund 205 Dept 510 Public Works

apackfnd Checks by Fund - 04/09/25 to 04/09/25 Page 3
Town of Portola Valley 04/02/2025 mmagahiz 09:42
Vendor Name Invoice Description Invoice Amt.

PLATINUM FACILITY SERVICES Janitorial Services - March 20 1,110.27 -----------------
Fund 205 Dept 510 Total 1,110.27
-----------------
Fund 205 Total 1,110.27
Fund 206 Dept 510 Public Works
BIG CREEK Redwood Construction Trail Pos 350.57
-----------------
Fund 206 Dept 510 Total 350.57
-----------------
Fund 206 Total 350.57
Fund 701 Dept 340 Customer Deposits
NOLTE ASSOCIATES INC Feb 25 Applicant Charges & PW 8,832.75 SHUTE, MIHALY & WEINBERGER LLP February Legal Service 10,850.71 -----------------
Fund 701 Dept 340 Total 19,683.46
-----------------
Fund 701 Total 19,683.46
-----------------
**** Grand Total 109,670.66
* * * End of Report * * *

March 18, 2025
Portola Valley Wildfire Prepardness Committee 2025 Report The PV Wildfire Prepardness Committee [WPC] is a Brown Act committee consisting of five members. [ Chair Jennifer Hammer, M J Lee, Wanda Ginner, Conservation Committee Liaison Marianne Plunder, and Kim Cashin] Wildfire mitigation has always been at the heart of the WPC. In the last several years, the committee has focused on mitigation and education.

Ongoing mitigation education
• Since 2021, on a semi-monthly schedule, the WPC has generated 153 wildfire tips on a plethora of wildfire mitigation topics including creating defensible space, home hardening techniques and best practices, home fire insurance information, fire maps, and fire ordinances. Many of these tips currently populate the WPC website. • Fire Marshal Kim Giuliacci regularly attends WPC meetings. In 2024 and 2025, the WPC hosted several WFPD workshops on fire ordinances, defensible space, and home hardening.

Home hardening, defensible space, and the impacts of wildfire on home insurance • In March 2024, the Town Manager received the WPC Mitigation Subcommittee’s final report and recommendation concerning decking surfaces and PV ordinance 2022- 447 709A.3 Decking Surfaces. This report recommended common sense revisions to the current ordinance, which many residents have requested, and would allow more homeowners to harden their homes. We eagerly await the Town Council’s review of our recommendations.
• In March 2025, the Town Manager approved a one-year WPC effort to track PV home insurance. The project tracks insurance premiums, cancelations, the rate of noninsurance, as well as the success of PV residents to avoid premium increases or insurance cancelations by performing insurance company suggested mitigations. In addition, this project helps fulfill the post HE implementation question concerning how additional housing units will impact the existing insurance programs that residents use and the availability and costs of insuring new housing units. The project uses an online tracking form to accomplish these goals. The original plan was to use the existing WPC budget to send postcards asking PV residents to fill out the online tracking form. Unfortunately,

2 due to budgeting constraints, the postcards were not sent. Therefore, we do not expect to meet the original goal of 50% PV participation. Given the current rate of response, we are hoping for 10% by September 2025, when the tracking form project ends. • In March 2025, the Fire Marshal requested that the WPC assist the WFPD by providing a list of possible vendors and products to assist residents in their effort to perform home hardening and create defensible space. We are currently awaiting approval from the Town Manager to undertake this effort. This project would be a natural extension of the WPC’s 2022 and 2023 PV Wildfire Fair. At these events, residents could talk with a variety of vendors representing home hardening products and defensible space services.

In the meantime, we have supplied the WFPD with existing, pre-approved documentation from the PV Wildfire Fairs. This documentation would get a resident started and does answer many questions.
• Our committee continues to track and encourage PV Firewise communities. In 2024, the WPC Mitigation Subcommittee sponsored an effort to educate and assist potential new Firewise neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the member who was leading this effort moved and the effort has been put on hold.

Wildfire emergency preparedness
In March 2025, the WPC gained a member that is also a member of the EPC. We are excited about the potential of cross calibration on several emergency preparedness topics.

Mitigation programs and funding
Since proposing the 2023 wildfire mitigation program entitled, Fighting the Ember Storms Together, the WPC has not suggested any further PV funded mitigation programs. The 2023 program was the result of over six months of research and negotiations with the town staff. The proposal created an extremely low cost and low overhead grant program that supplied residents with a one-time grant and encouraged Firewise communities. The community benefits included lowering insurance premiums and creating a permanent communication conduit to residents. At the time, the town manager and the WPC Finance and Insurance Subcommittee identified possible funds to get the program started, with the idea that the program might be funded at a higher level in the future by State and Federal grants. The proposal was tabled after the WFPD proposed a more robust, grant funded mitigation program using the same town funds.

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY

STAFF REPORT
____________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Mark Linder, Interim Town Manager
Corie Stocker-Pedalino, Assistant Town Manager
DATE: April 9, 2025
RE: Refinement of Town Council Priorities

RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Town Council accept the refinement of the Town Council Priorities.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In March 2024, the Town Council adopted five overall priorities with corresponding strategies. On March 26th, 2025, the Town Council reviewed the status of each strategy within the priority areas.

The five priorities are:
• Financial Responsibility and Long-term Viability
• Safety
• Responsible Land Use
• Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Environmental Sustainability.
•
The Town Council refined the strategies within each priority area to determine the highest priority strategies and some timelines of completion either, June 30, 2025, or December 31, 2025. Many strategies are still ongoing, and staff will continue to progress in those areas as much as possible with the goal of completion within the next fiscal year.

The chart of refinements is attached below; items that have not been started are in red and refined or high-priority items identified are in bold on the furthest right column titled “Refinement/Direction/Date” for ease of review.

FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with accepting the Town Council Priority refinement. Limited items will have potentially related fiscal impacts to come to the Town Council at a future meeting.

TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LONG-TERM VIABILITY Strategies Status Refinement/Direction
/Date
Prepare a staffing plan for the Finance
Department, to include hiring a Finance
Director
Completed
Articulate a plan for finances and a financial
management structure in the Town
In Progress (mid-way) Continue progress as time permits Educate the community on the Town finances In Progress (mid-way) Continue progress ongoing [including Town Hall meetings
upcoming]
Implement the recommendations from the
Krisch & Company report
In Progress (close to completion) Continue progress as time permits Complete audits In Progress (mid-way) Complete Audits [projected FY 21/22, FY 22/23] (Dec. 31, 2025)
Professionalize financial controls Completed
Provide regular financial reports to Town
Council
In Progress (permanently on-going) Continue progress ongoing Develop and implement the necessary
infrastructure to efficiently process and collect
fees
In Progress (mid-way) Continue progress
[Fee study in progress] (Dec.31,
2025)
Ballot Measure Timeline and
Community Education on Budget
Challenges (June 30, 2025)
Balanced Town Budget for FY
25/26 (June 30, 2025)

TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY: SAFETY
Strategies Status Refinement/Direction/Date
Take action on the Evacuation Plan Completed
Complete Safety Element In Progress (started) Complete Safety Element (Dec. 31, 2025) Conduct Assessment of the Emergency
Operations Center
Not Started
Update the Emergency Operations Plan Not Started
Examine role of the volunteer SMC Sheriff’s
Portola Valley Safety Commissioner and
Assistant Commissioner
Completed
Explore options to augment services to the
public
Not Started
Re-Establish regular Town Council Safety
Meetings
Not Started
Enhance community understanding of
crime statistics and related Town activity
In Progress (started) Continue progress as time permits Implement home hardening requirements Completed
Explore creation of an umbrella
collaborative Safety Task Force (June 30,
2025)

TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY: RESPONSIBLE LAND USE
Strategies Status Refinement/Direction/Date
Begin Implementation of the post-adoption
plan for the Housing Element
In Progress (mid-way) Continue progress as time permits Develop guidelines for an opt-in program Not Started
Implementation of ADU/JADU support
program
In Progress (mid-way) Continue progress as time permits (Dec. 31, 2025)
Align zoning regulations with the Adopted
Housing Element & Successfully recertify
Housing Element
In Progress (close to
completion)
Addition of “Successfully recertify
Housing Element” (Dec. 31, 2025)
Develop and implement an open space
preservation plan
Not Started
Begin exploration of a Town Center Master
Plan to include recreation needs and other
potential uses of the Town Center
Not Started
Focus on challenges confronting the
Planning & Building Department
- Identify challenges and pain-points
(June 30, 2025)
- Implement plans to address the
challenges (Dec. 31, 2025)

TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY: ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS Strategies Status Refinement/Direction/Date
Fill vacancies In Progress (mid-way) Recruit Town Clerk & Town Engineer (June 30, 2025)
Recruit Town Manager and Planning &
Building Director (Dec.31, 2025)
Establish customer service metrics In Progress (started) Continue progress as time permits Promote transparency through enhanced
communication
In Progress (permanently
ongoing)
Continue progress ongoing
Update the committee and commission
handbook
In Progress (mid-way) Continue progress as time permits Cultivate a high performing team In Progress (mid-way) Continue progress ongoing Update the Town website In Progress (started) Continue progress as time permits Determine best method to communicate
Town projects status to the community
(Dec. 31, 2025)
Town Council to determine proper levels
of service (Fiscal year 25/26)

TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Strategies Status Refinement/Direction/Date
Develop climate action plan In Progress (started) On hold until 2026 Implement reach codes Not Started On hold until 2026
Advocate for sustainability efforts at the state
level
Not Started On hold until 2026

______________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Terrence Grindall, Interim Planning and Building Director DATE: April 9, 2025
RE: Rezoning to Address HCD Technical Assistance Letter

RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing, waive first reading, and consider introduction of ordinances to:

Amend Zoning Code Table 18.15.050: Development Standards – Multi-Family Residential Zoning Districts to include note 2: A 2.48 acre portion of The Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 077-272-010) (included in Table 6-6 of the housing element) shall be developed as High Density Housing and that owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses are allowed by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households on the Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 077-272-010).

Amend Zoning Code Chapter 18.23 M-U (MIXED-USE) DISTRICT REGULATIONS,

18.23.070 to require a minimum of 50 percent of the square footage in a mixed-use development to be residential.

Rezone Parcel 077-272-010 (Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site) from Open Space O-A (R-E/2A/SD-2, Open Area 2 acres) to High-Density Residential (R-MF-23, Multi-Family Residential 23 du/ac).

Or provide alternate direction to staff.

BACKGROUND
Each California jurisdiction, including Portola Valley, is required to have a Housing Element of its General Plan and the Housing Element must be certified to be in compliance with State housing law by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

On January 24, 2024, the Town Council adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element.

The adopted Housing Element was then submitted to the State Department of Housing and

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY

STAFF REPORT

Community Development (HCD). On January 30, 2024, HCD deemed the Town’s Housing Element to be in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law. This is referred to as “certification”. Within the certification letter was HCD’s urging that the Town “continue timely and effective implementation” of all Housing Element programs.

On March 26, 2024, the Town received a letter from HCD notifying the Town that HCD had found the Town’s Housing Element not in substantial compliance with state law pending the required rezones and was decertified. The Letter stated that when the Town has adopted the required rezones and submits those rezones to HCD, HCD will consider recertifying the Housing Element.

On June 12, 2024, the Town council approved the required rezoning, and the documentation was submitted to HCD. After months of waiting, the Town received a Letter of Technical Assistance dated October 16, 2024, (Attachment 4). The Letter of Technical Assistance required that three changes were needed in the rezoning that had been approved. These changes are: a) Amendment to Zoning Code to include a note indicating that a 2.48 acre portion of The Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 77272010) (included in Table 6-6 of the Housing Element) shall be developed as High Density Housing and that owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses are allowed by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households on the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site; and b) that the (MIXED-USE Regulations be modified to require a minimum of 50 percent of the square footage in a mixed-use development to be residential; and c) Rezoning of the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site from Open Space to high-density residential.

Staff prepared a letter responding to HCD on November 26, 2024, Attachment 5.

The Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments are minor changes that are consistent with teh Housing Element. It represents a codification of the vision included in the approved Housing Element Site. It should be noted that in regard to the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site, the property is Town owned, and the actual development would require further action by the Town Council (e.g., approval of a long term lease agreement). The Housing Element does include a deadline for progress on the development of the site, a Request for Proposals (RFP) that would need to be issued for the development of the Dorothy Ford Housing site by January of 2026 and development would need to be constructed by January of 2031. The Town will need to comply with this schedule unless other sites were identified, and the Housing Element was amended by Town Council Action. Such an amendment would require HCD review and approval.

On March 19, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the proposed ordinance. The Planning Commission recommended that Town Council direct staff to:
(1) Evaluate if it is feasible to identify 2.48 developable acres on Dorothy Ford Park, without encroaching on the Ford Field baseball area. If 2.48 developable acres cannot be identified, staff should analyze the development feasibility of a smaller

area, including identifying modifications to development standards necessary to make 50 VLI units feasible.
(2) Transmit a letter to HCD describing the Town’s efforts to comply with requirements, including identifying the Town’s good faith efforts to find alternative development sites to Dorothy Ford Park. The letter should note that for administrative efficiency it would be preferred to avoid upzoning Dorothy Ford Park, only to then need to turn around and downzone it in short order if a viable replacement site is found. The letter should also raise with HCD the Town’s understanding, based on previous dialogue with HCD, that the handling of the Dorothy Ford Park Site in the Town’s General Plan amendments should be sufficient for Housing Element compliance, without requiring rezoning.

Staff does not agree with the Planning Commission recommendation. Following the Planning Commission recommendation would entail duplicating past analysis and discussions. This approach would also require significant expenditures as well as time delays. Even with the cost and delay, the Town would not make progress toward the goal of replacing the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site.

A public Hearing Notice for the Zoning Code Amendments were posted, published and mailed to properties within 300 feet of the Dorthy Ford Housing Element Site on March 20, 2025. Public Hearing Notice was then modified to include the Planning Commission Recommendation and was posted, published and mailed to properties within 300 feet of the Dorthy Ford Housing Element Site on March 27, 2025.

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
On March 29, 2023 the Town Council adopted, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) prepared for the Portola Valley Housing and Safety Elements Update and Conforming General Plan and Zoning Code Amendments. Prior to Town Council’s adoption of the Housing Element on January 24, 2024, the IS-MND was reviewed again to assess whether any revisions to the Housing Element occurring after the adoption of the IS-MND would require modifications to the environmental document. It was concluded at that time that all mitigation measures in the IS-MND remained valid and reduced all project-related impacts to a less-than-significant level. Likewise, staff has reviewed the implementing Zoning Code Ordinance Amendments (Attachments 1 and 2) rezoning and amendments to the Zoning Map (Attachment 3) and concluded that they do not require subsequent or supplemental environmental analysis under CEQA and further concluded that the IS-MND adopted on March 29, 2023, remains valid.

DISCUSSION
Approving the proposed zoning code changes is the fastest and most reliable way to address the HCD requirements and quickly receive re-certification. However, the Town Council has numerous options in approaching this issue, including:

Option 1: Approve the rezoning consistent with the staff recommendation: the two Zoning Ordinance Amendments and Rezoning the 7-acre Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site. This is the fastest and least expensive path to recertification. In addition, staff would be directed to pursue the replacement of the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site with other more suitable locations as detailed in Option 2.

Option 2: Direct staff to begin working with property owners and HCD to replace the Dorothy Ford Housing Opportunity site with properties that were identified by the Town Council as recommended by the Ad Hoc Housing Site Evaluation Committee. This approach would create delays in re-certification and include substantial cost, however this approach would, at least, move the Town closer to the goal of finding Housing Element Sites that are more appropriate and consistent with community vision than the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site. The primary downside of Option 2 is that the town would be vulnerable to “Builder’s Remedy” projects and other sanctions for an extended period.

Option 3: Approve the two Zoning Ordinance Amendments consistent with the staff recommendation, but do not approve the formal rezoning of the 7-acre Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site. Staff would be directed to attempt to convince the State that the requirements were met by this action. In addition, staff would be directed to pursue the replacement of the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site with other more suitable locations as with Option

2. Option 4: Approve the Planning Commission recommendation. This approach would create significant delays and costs while not advancing the goal of replacing the Dorothy Ford Housing Element Site.

FISCAL_IMPACT
Options 1 and 2 would have minimal immediate fiscal impact. Other possible recommendations could have a significant but unknown fiscal impact.

NEXT STEPS ___________________________________________________ If the Town Council approves the introduction of some or all of the recommended Zoning Ordinance changes, a second reading would occur April 23, 2025. If the Town Council completed its adoption of the ordinance changes, staff would submit the amended Zoning Code to HCD with the hope that HCD will find the Town’s Housing Element in substantial compliance with State Law and recertify the Housing Element.

It should be noted that Staff has formatted the Zoning Ordinance Amendments into two separate ordinances. The first ordinance addresses the M-U (Mixed-Use) zone only. The second ordinance addresses R-MF (Multi-Family Residential) and all other aspects of the

aspects of the zoning amendments. The formatting allows for a segmented vote on the two ordinances, enabling Council members with conflicts of interest regarding the M-U zone to recuse themselves from that portion.

ATTACHMENT

1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment except changes to Mixed-Use

2. Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Mixed-Use

3. Proposed amended Zoning Map

4. Letter from HCD to Portola Valley, October 16, 2024

5. Letter from Portola Valley to HCD, November 26, 2024

M-R/7.5A/SD-3/DR
R-E/1A/SD-1a
R-E/2.5/SD-2.5
R-E/3.5A/SD-2/D-R
PC/2A/SD-1
(Ord. 1973-126)
R-E/1A/SD-1a
R-E/2A/SD-2a
R-1/15M
R-E/3.5A/ SD-2/D-R
R-E/3.5A/
SD-2/D-R
R-E/3.5A/SD-2
R-1/20M
R-E/3.5A/
SD-2/D-R
R-E/1A/SD-1a
R-1/
20M
C-C
R-1/1A
OA (R-E/1A/SD-1)
A-P
C-C
R-E/2A/
SD-2/D-R
A-P
R-E/2A/
SD-1/D-R

RUSSELL
AVE

LOS TRANCOS
RD

ALPINE RD
PIN
O
N
D
R

WESTRIDGE DR

SAUSAL DR

MEADOW CREEK
CT

NATHHORST AVE
HO
LONEST
ADAIR
LN
CO
RTE
MAD
E
RA
RD

WAYSID E RD

PORTOLA RD

CERVANTES DR

CHEROKEE
WAY
CANYON
DR

CRESCEN
T
AVE

ARASTRADERO
RD
BEAR
PAW
SIERRA
LN

RAMOSO RD
INDIA
N
XING

HORSESHOE BND
TY NAN
WAY

ECHO LN

OAK FOREST
CT

VALLEY OAK ST
PINE

RIDGE WAY

PORTOLA

GREEN CIR

GOLDEN OAK DR

ARAPAHOE
CT

MONTARA
CT

POMPONIO
CT

BAYBERRY
ST
TORO
CT

BUCK MEADOW
DR
SANTA

MARIAAVE
ASH
LN

LOUISE LN
SHADY
LN

WYNDHAM
DR
CIMA
WAY

LARGUITA
LN

MAPACHE
CT
NAVAJO
PL

THISTLE
ST
KIOW
CT
A
ALAMOS
R
D

VERONICA
PL

CHEROKEE
CT

GOLDEN HILLS DR
CAMPO
RD

PASO DEL
ARROYO

GROVE DR

MAPACHE DR

HAWKVIEW
ST

TINTURN
L N

PEAK LN
HOLDEN
CT

PALOMA RD
BOW
WAY

ESCOBAR RD
GROV
E
CT

TA NO AK
DR

PALMER LN
COAL

MINE VIEW
S
H
AW
N
E
E
PASS

ALHAMBRA
CT
ZAPATA
WAY

BOLIVAR
LN
TAG
U
S
CT

NARANJA
WAY

FRANCISCAN
RIDGE

F I RETHORN
WAY

APPLEWOOD
LN

GRANADACT

L EROY WAY

SADDLEBACK

SOLANA RD
BEA
R

GULCH DR

CHEYENNE
POINT

MEADOWOOD
DR

MINOCA RD

LONGSPUR
ST
CREEK

PARK DR

ANTONIO CT

SIOUX WAY

GEORGIA
LN

D OS L O MA

VISTA LN

WILLOWBROOK DR

VALENCI A C T

CRESTAVISTA LN
DEGAS
RD

POSSUM LN

FAVONIA RD

IROQUOIS
TER

TRINITY
LN
LA

S A N D
RA
WAY

STONEGATE RD

BROOKSIDE DR
GOYA
RD

REDBERRY
RDG

FAWN LN

HILLBROOK DR
S A N
ST
DSTONE

HA Y FI E LDS
RD
Ordinance No. Date Ordinance No. Date
1967-80 7/12/1967
1969-97 9/24/1969
1973-119 2/14/1973
1973-126 1/9/1974
1976-147 10/13/1976
1979-171 4/11/1979
1981-181 3/11/1981
1981-182 4/8/1981
1983-247 7/20/1983
1989-246 9/22/1989
1990-251 4/11/1990
1990-253 7/11/1990
1995-283 4/21/1995
1996-287 4/10/1996
1998-305 1/14/1998
2003-347 2/26/2003
Legend
A-P, Administrative-professional
C-C, Community Commercial
O-A (R-E/2A/SD-2), Open Area 2 acres
O-A (R-E/1A/SD-1), Open Area 1 acre
PC/2A/SD-1, Planned Community 2 acres
R-1/15M, Single-family Residential 15,000 sq. ft.

R-1/1A, Single-family Residential 1 acre
R-1/20M, Single-family Residential 20,000 sq. ft.

R-E/1A/SD-1a, Residential Estate 1 acre
R-E/2A/SD-1/D-R, Residential Estate 2 acres
R-E/2A/SD-2/D-R, Residential Estate 2 acres
R-E/2A/SD-2a, Residential Estate 2 acres
R-E/2.5/SD-2.5, Residential Estate 2.5 acres
R-E/3.5A/SD-2, Residential Estate 3.5 acres
R-E/3.5A/SD-2/D-R, Residential Estate 3.5 acres
M-R/7.5A/SD-3/DR Residential Estate 3.5 acres
R-MF-4, Multi-family Residential 4 du/ac
R-MF-23, Mulit-family Residential 23 du/ac
MU, Mixed-Use 6 du/ac
Affiliated Housing Overlay
Parcels
Town Limit
Special Building Setback Lines

DRAFT ZONING MAP

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
0 1,000 2,000
Feet
PROJECTION: CALIFORNIA STATE PLANE COORDINATES
ZONE III, NAD83 DATUM, UNITS IN FEET
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 2023
March 2025
MU
R-MF-4
R-MF-23 and
Affiliated Housing Overlay

SKYLINE BLVD

SKYLINE BLVD

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
651 Bannon Street, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
October 16, 2024
Terrence Grindall, Interim Director
Planning and Building Department
Town of Portola Valley
765 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028
RE: Portola Valley Rezone Implementation – Letter of Technical Assistance Dear Terrence Grindall:

The purpose of this letter is to provide technical assistance regarding the implementation of Programs 1-1a, 1-1b, and 1-6 to rezone sites to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) pursuant to Government Code section 65585, subdivision (i).

On March 26, 2024, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) sent a letter to the Town of Portola Valley (Town) revoking the Town’s housing element compliance as authorized by Government Code section 65585, subdivision (i)(1)(B). On July 17, 2024, HCD received Ordinance No. 2941-24, Ordinance No. 2942-24, and Resolution No. 2926-23 and accompanying modified general plan land use maps from the Town in response to the revocation letter. The Town also submitted supplemental documents on July 26, 2024. HCD reviewed the documentation submitted by the Town and has determined that, while the ordinances and general plan amendments meet several requirements of state law, the Town must demonstrate the rezonings meet all requirements in Government Code section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i).

Specifically, while it appears that more than 50 percent of the Town’s identified RHNA shortfall is met on mixed-use sites, the ordinances do not state if these mixed-use sites permit 100 percent residential development and require a minimum of 50 percent of the square footage in a mixed-use development to be residential. Additionally, the submitted documentation does not clearly indicate if the Town permits owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households on the Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 77272010) included in Table 6-6 of the Town’s adopted housing element. By-right means local government review must not require a conditional use permit, planned unit development permit, or other discretionary review or approval that that would constitute

a “project” for purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
1 HCD requests that the Town revise its zoning ordinance and general plan or provide written documentation clearly demonstrating the rezones and general plan amendments meet these statutory requirements. If needed, a copy of the revised documents should be transmitted to HCD. HCD will review the documentation and issue correspondence.

HCD provides the Town until November 26, 2024 to provide a written response to these findings. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Reid Miller at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Melinda Coy
Proactive Housing Accountability Chief
1 Gov. Code, § 65583.2, subd. (i)

Attachment 2
ORDINANCE NO. 2025 – xx

ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PORTOLA
VALLEY AMENDING TITLE 18 [ZONING] OF THE PORTOLA VALLEY MUNICIPAL

CODE FOR THE TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES

RAISED BY HCD IN THEIR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE LETTER DATED OCTOBER 16, 2024
WHEREAS, State Housing Element Law (Government Code Sections 65580 et seq.) requires that the Town of Portola Valley (Town) adopt a housing element for the eight-year period 2023-2031 to accommodate the regional housing need allocation (RHNA) of 253 housing units assigned to the Town by the Association of Bay Area Governments; and
WHEREAS, State Housing Element Law also requires the Town to rezone properties as required to make sites available with appropriate zoning and development standards to accommodate the portion of the Town regional housing need for each income level that cannot be accommodated on sites under existing Town zoning; and WHEREAS, on January 24, 2024 the Town Council of the Town of Portola Valley adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element, which identifies those properties proposed for rezoning to accommodate the Town’s regional housing need; and WHEREAS, on January 30, 2024 HCD determined the Housing Element to be in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law; and WHEREAS, on March 26, 2024, HCD sent a letter notifying the Town that it was revoking the Department’s finding of substantial compliance for the Town of Portola Valley’s sixth cycle housing element based on a failure to timely implement required rezone programs; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2024, the Town Council approved the required rezoning, and the documentation was submitted to HCD. The Town received a Letter of Technical Assistance dated October 16, 2024, which described changes needed to the rezoning actions that had already been approved by the Town Council; and WHEREAS, to address the issues identified in the October 16, 2024 HCD letter, the following amendments are needed: (1) a text amendment to Title 18 [Zoning] of the Portola Valley Municipal Code to recognize that a portion of the Dorothy Ford Park site shall be developed as multifamily, high density housing and that owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses are allowed by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households; and (2) a text amendment to state that the Mixed Use zoning district requires a minimum of 50 percent of the square footage in a mixed-use development to be residential uses; and (3) an

amendment to the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley to rezone the Dorothy Ford Park site from O-A (open space) to MF (20-23 du/a), Multi-family Residential at up to 23 units/acre); and
WHEREAS, the Town, as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) for the Housing Element, Safety Element, conforming General Plan amendments and zoning code amendments and circulated it for public review; and
WHEREAS, on March 29, 2023, the Town Council conducted a public hearing on the IS-MND and adopted Resolution No. 2922-2023 adopting the IS-MND, the Updated Response to Comments and Text Changes, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (as updated at the March 22 and 29, 2023 public hearings); and WHEREAS, none of the implementing zoning code text amendments for the Town of Portola Valley require subsequent or supplemental environmental analysis under CEQA described in Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162. None of the following triggers have occurred: a substantial change to the project; a substantial change to the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken, or new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time the environmental analysis was completed, becomes available. Therefore, the IS/MND adopted on March 29, 2023 remains valid; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2025 the Planning Commission held a public hearing to review the proposed amendments to Title 18 [Zoning] of the Portola Valley Municipal Code and the amendment to the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley to rezone the Dorothy Ford Park site, at which all interested persons had the opportunity to appear; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2025 , the Planning Commission recommended that Town Council direct staff to:
(1) Evaluate if it is feasible to identify 2.48 developable acres on Dorothy Ford Park, without encroaching on the Ford Field baseball area. If 2.48 developable acres cannot be identified, staff should analyze the development feasibility of a smaller area, including identifying modifications to development standards necessary to make 50 VLI units feasible; and
(2) Transmit a letter to HCD describing the Town’s efforts to comply with requirements, including identifying the Town’s good faith efforts to find alternative development sites to Dorothy Ford Park. The letter should note that for administrative efficiency it would be preferred to avoid upzoning Dorothy Ford Park, only to then need to turn around and downzone it in short order if a viable replacement site is found. The letter should also raise with HCD the Town’s understanding, based on previous dialogue with HCD, that the handling of the Dorothy Ford Park Site in the Town’s General Plan amendments should be sufficient for Housing Element compliance, without requiring rezoning; and WHEREAS, on April 9, 2025, the Town Council held a public hearing, and after considering the Planning Commission recommendation as well as options outlined by staff, the entire record of proceedings, including but not limited to, the staffreport and

all written and oral comments received, the Town Council voted to approve the ordinance.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Town Council of the Town of Portola Valley does ORDAIN as follows:

1. AMENDMENTS TO CODE. The following Chapter of Title 18 [Zoning] is amended as specified in Exhibit A. Exhibit A shows additions with underlined text and deletions with strike out text. All text that is unmarked remains as is and all Title 18 chapters and sections not referenced in Exhibit A remain unchanged.

Chapter 18.23.070 Required Conditions
K. This zoning district permits one hundred percent residential project commercial component. At least 50 percent of the floor area of development must be residential. Any non-residential development shall include a residential component at the minimum density specified in Table 18.23.050.

2. CONSISTENCY WITH GENERAL PLAN. This ordinance is found to be consistent with the General Plan of Portola Valley.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. The Town, as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Housing Element, Safety Element, conforming General Plan amendments and zoning code amendments and circulated it for public review. On March 29, 2023, the Town Council conducted a public hearing on the IS/MND and adopted Resolution No. 2922-2023 adopting the IS/MND, the Updated Response to Comments and Text Changes, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (as updated at the March 22 and 29, 2023 public hearings). None of the implementing zoning code text amendments or amendments to the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley require subsequent or supplemental environmental analysis under CEQA, as described in Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162. None of the following triggers have occurred: a substantial change to the project; a substantial change to the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken, or new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time the environmental analysis was completed, becomes available. Therefore, the IS/MND adopted on March 29, 2023 remains valid.

4. CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW. This ordinance is intended to be consistent with State Housing Element Law and to the extent there is any inconsistency with such State law requirements, State law shall control.

5. SEVERABILITY. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The Town Council herby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and adopted this Ordinance and each section, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsections, sentences,

clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.

6. EFFECTIVE DATE; POSTING. This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after the date of its adoption and shall be posted within the Town in three public places.

INTRODUCED:

PASSED:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTENTIONS:

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

ATTEST:

By: __________________________
Town Clerk Mayor

APPROVED AS TO FORM
Town Attorney
1901683.2

Attachment 1
ORDINANCE NO. 2025 – xx

ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PORTOLA
VALLEY AMENDING TITLE 18 [ZONING] OF THE PORTOLA VALLEY MUNICIPAL

CODE AND AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FOR THE TOWN OF PORTOLA

VALLEY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES RAISED BY HCD IN THEIR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE LETTER DATED OCTOBER 16, 2024
WHEREAS, State Housing Element Law (Government Code Sections 65580 et seq.) requires that the Town of Portola Valley (Town) adopt a housing element for the eight-year period 2023-2031 to accommodate the regional housing need allocation (RHNA) of 253 housing units assigned to the Town by the Association of Bay Area Governments; and
WHEREAS, State Housing Element Law also requires the Town to rezone properties as required to make sites available with appropriate zoning and development standards to accommodate the portion of the Town regional housing need for each income level that cannot be accommodated on sites under existing Town zoning; and WHEREAS, on January 24, 2024 the Town Council of the Town of Portola Valley adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element, which identifies those properties proposed for rezoning to accommodate the Town’s regional housing need; and WHEREAS, on January 30, 2024 HCD determined the Housing Element to be in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law; and WHEREAS, on March 26, 2024, HCD sent a letter notifying the Town that it was revoking the Department’s finding of substantial compliance for the Town of Portola Valley’s sixth cycle housing element based on a failure to timely implement required rezone programs; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2024, the Town Council approved the required rezoning, and the documentation was submitted to HCD. The Town received a Letter of Technical Assistance dated October 16, 2024, which described changes needed to the rezoning actions that had already been approved by the Town Council; and WHEREAS, to address the issues identified in the October 16, 2024 HCD letter, the following amendments are needed: (1) a text amendment to Title 18 [Zoning] of the Portola Valley Municipal Code to recognize that a portion of the Dorothy Ford Park site shall be developed as multifamily, high density housing and that owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses are allowed by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households; and (2) a text amendment to state that the Mixed Use zoning district requires a minimum of 50 percent of the square footage in a mixed-use development to be residential uses; and (3) an

amendment to the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley to rezone the Dorothy Ford Park site from O-A (open space) to MF (20-23 du/a), Multi-family Residential at up to 23 units/acre); and
WHEREAS, the Town is rezoning the 7.55-acre Dorothy Ford Park parcel but as acknowledged by the General Plan Housing Element Table 6-6, only 2.48 acres of the site are developable; and
WHEREAS, the Town, as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) for the Housing Element, Safety Element, conforming General Plan amendments and zoning code amendments and circulated it for public review; and
WHEREAS, on March 29, 2023, the Town Council conducted a public hearing on the IS-MND and adopted Resolution No. 2922-2023 adopting the IS-MND, the Updated Response to Comments and Text Changes, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (as updated at the March 22 and 29, 2023 public hearings); and WHEREAS, none of the implementing zoning code text amendments or amendments to the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley require subsequent or supplemental environmental analysis under CEQA described in Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162. None of the following triggers have occurred: a substantial change to the project; a substantial change to the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken, or new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time the environmental analysis was completed, becomes available. Therefore, the IS/MND adopted on March 29, 2023 remains valid; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2025 the Planning Commission held a public hearing to review the proposed amendments to Title 18 [Zoning] of the Portola Valley Municipal Code and the amendment to the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley to rezone the Dorothy Ford Park site, at which all interested persons had the opportunity to appear; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2025 , the Planning Commission recommended that Town Council direct staff to:
(1) Evaluate if it is feasible to identify 2.48 developable acres on Dorothy Ford Park, without encroaching on the Ford Field baseball area. If 2.48 developable acres cannot be identified, staff should analyze the development feasibility of a smaller area, including identifying modifications to development standards necessary to make 50 VLI units feasible; and
(2) Transmit a letter to HCD describing the Town’s efforts to comply with requirements, including identifying the Town’s good faith efforts to find alternative development sites to Dorothy Ford Park. The letter should note that for administrative efficiency it would be preferred to avoid upzoning Dorothy Ford Park, only to then need to turn around and downzone it in short order if a viable replacement site is found. The letter should also raise with HCD the Town’s understanding, based on previous dialogue with HCD, that the handling of the Dorothy Ford Park Site in the Town’s General Plan amendments

should be sufficient for Housing Element compliance, without requiring rezoning; and WHEREAS, on April 9, 2025, the Town Council held a public hearing, and after considering the Planning Commission recommendation as well as options outlined by staff, the entire record of proceedings, including but not limited to, the staffreport and all written and oral comments received, the Town Council voted to approve the ordinance.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Town Council of the Town of Portola Valley does ORDAIN as follows:

1. AMENDMENTS TO CODE. The following Chapter of Title 18 [Zoning] is amended as specified in Exhibit A. Exhibit A shows additions with underlined text and deletions with strike out text. All text that is unmarked remains as is and all Title 18 chapters and sections not referenced in Exhibit A remain unchanged.

Chapter 18.15.04 Development Standards
Note 2. A 2.48 acre portion of The Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 77272010) (included in Table 6-6 of the housing element) shall be developed as high density housing and that owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses are allowed by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lowerincome households on the Dorothy Ford Park Site (APN 77272010).

2. AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING MAP FOR THE TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY.

The following parcel will be rezoned to the zoning district indicated below and will be so designated on the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley, included as Exhibit B to this ordinance:

APN 77272010 (Dorothy Ford Park site): MF (20-23 du/a)

3. CONSISTENCY WITH GENERAL PLAN. This ordinance is found to be consistent with the General Plan of Portola Valley.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. The Town, as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Housing Element, Safety Element, conforming General Plan amendments and zoning code amendments and circulated it for public review. On March 29, 2023, the Town Council conducted a public hearing on the IS/MND and adopted Resolution No. 2922-2023 adopting the IS/MND, the Updated Response to Comments and Text Changes, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (as updated at the March 22 and 29, 2023 public hearings). None of the implementing zoning code text amendments or amendments to the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley require subsequent or supplemental environmental analysis under CEQA, as described in Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162. None of the following triggers have occurred: a substantial change to the project; a substantial change to the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken, or new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time the environmental analysis was completed, becomes available. Therefore, the IS/MND

adopted on March 29, 2023 remains valid.

5. CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW. This ordinance is intended to be consistent with State Housing Element Law and to the extent there is any inconsistency with such State law requirements, State law shall control.

6. SEVERABILITY. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The Town Council herby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and adopted this Ordinance and each section, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.

7. EFFECTIVE DATE; POSTING. This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after the date of its adoption and shall be posted within the Town in three public places.

INTRODUCED:

PASSED:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTENTIONS:

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

ATTEST:

By: __________________________
Town Clerk Mayor

APPROVED AS TO FORM
Town Attorney
1901682.2

___________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Members of the Town Council
FROM: Councilmember Flynn
DATE: February 3, 2025 - updated March 31, 2025
RE: Create a Safety Task Force to develop a Comprehensive Safety Framework and Project Plan and manage and coordinate the Safety Initiatives in the Town.

RECOMMENDATION:

Given the urgency of enhancing our safety infrastructure, the Town Council should establish a comprehensive safety framework and priority of work to enhance Portola Valley's safety infrastructure through the following initial actions:

1. Direct staff to include the preliminary safety initiatives (see the Appendix) in the FY 25-26 budget discussions.

2. Schedule a Council Strategy Planning Session, if the Town Council prefers to set priorities in advance, to:
a. Review and refine the proposed preliminary safety initiatives b. Prioritize the proposed safety initiatives

3. Create a multi-disciplinary Safety Task Force made up of representatives from all the safety committees, other relevant committees, key staff members, Town Council members, and affiliated safety officers (Fire, police, Emergency, Utilities, etc.). The Safety Task Force would be tasked with:
a. Meeting monthly or as determined to provide updates to the public on the work. b. Reviewing, expanding, and evaluating the proposed preliminary safety initiatives (see preliminary list attached)
c. Developing a Comprehensive Safety Framework and Project Plan d. Possible goals of the Safety Task force could include:
o Decide on the Project Manager/point person(s) to monitor and coordinate the initiatives (Town Engineer, Staff member, and/or subcommittee of Task Force Member(s))

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Colleague’s Memo

o Coordinate the update of the Safety Element.
o Work with staff, committees, consultants, contractors to determine approximate costs, timing, and requirements to accomplish the various safety initiatives.
o Prioritize safety initiatives based on risk and cost. o Assign tasks to committees and volunteers, as relevant, with milestones and deadlines.
o Track deadlines and milestones and communicate to the Town Residents on a regular basis.
o Plan community engagement strategy.
o Develop a comprehensive and sustainable funding plan for Safety (Fire, Emergency, and Public Safety) including the formation of a revenue enhancement and fundraising committee.

BACKGROUND
A number of key safety initiatives, priorities, and tasks are already being handled by the Town, by the safety committees, and by various affiliated organizations including the WFPD, Cal Water, PG&E, Green Waste, West Bay Sanitary, Sheriff’s department, as well as property owners.

The Woodside Fire Protection District has passed a number of new regulations for home hardening and defensible space that the Town and residents must now implement.

DISCUSSION
Given the severity of the risks in Portola Valley around wildfire, earthquake, landslide, and flooding risks, it’s imperative that the Town and the Town Council prioritize getting programs and funding in place to implement safeguards for the community as soon as possible.

The Town needs to evaluate what has been accomplished, who is currently responsible for some of the tasks, and what still needs to be accomplished. The cost and timing of implementing the various initiatives needs to be determined as part of the assigned tasks.

The Town needs to ensure that the Safety Project Plan provides the framework and a point person/subcommittee to ensure coordination of all safety activities within the Town and in the surrounding areas so that specific responsibilities are detailed, and timelines are established.

The Appendix contains a preliminary list of potential key priorities to consider for the project planning discussion.

The Safety Task Force would provide a unifying effect on the community as we all work together and plan, prioritize, and implement numerous needed safety initiatives.

FISCAL IMPACT
The costs to maintain, upgrade, and manage our safety infrastructure need to be determined as one of the functions of the Safety Task Force. Parts will be significant. Others can be researched, studied, or implemented through our committees and volunteers with staff and consultant support.

Implementation will require:
• Staff time will be needed to attend and support Safety Task Force meetings and tasks • Dedicated staff time and consultant time will be needed for the Safety Element completion (Estimate provide in February 2025: $25,000-$30,000 added to the budget for consultant work. Timing:
o With additional resources, the Safety Element can be completed in six months. o Without additional resources and with a reallocation of staff time, the Safety Element can be completed in twelve months.
o Determination needed to evaluate how much work actually requires consultant time versus using volunteer town experts.
• Substantial investment is required for defensible space creation, particularly if a future decision is made to provide grants to homeowners to assist in the cost. • Vegetation management and tree maintenance costs must be determined and budgeted.
• Infrastructure improvements and emergency preparedness measures must be detailed, risk-assessed, and costs determined.
• Revenue Enhancement measures will be necessary for full implementation of safety measures, including covering the increased costs of public safety.

A detailed budget analysis and funding strategy should be developed by the task force working with Town Staff to address these ongoing expenses for safety through a combination of municipal funds, transfer, parcel taxes, fee updates, UUT allocation, grants, fundraising, and community-supported initiatives.

APPENDIX: PRELIMINARY LIST OF KEY PRIORITIES TO BE EVALUATED, DISCUSSED, EXPANDED, AND PRIORITIZED.

1. Complete the Safety Element Update in accordance with state mandates by the first half of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
o Work with relevant Town Staff, Committees, residents, and consultants to finalize the document
o Plan for Community Education and engagement on the Safety Element

2. Vegetation Management Plans:
o Make plans for implementation of systematic vegetation management along evacuation routes
o Coordinate and prioritize with utility providers, WFPD, Conservation Committee, and property owners for tree maintenance and trimming overhanging tree branches for all streets in Town.
o Make plans for ravine brush clearance through partnerships with property owners and help identify funding.

3. Wildfire Safety Initiatives:
o Establish and implement a Wildfire Risk Reduction Buffer Area (WRRBA) program, identifying high risk areas surrounding Portola Valley and plan for needed improvements including brush clearance, controlled burns, and fire breaks. o Collaborate with relevant parties on critical buffer areas, including Jasper Ridge, Arastradero, Los Trancos Creek and woods, Skyline, Stanford, Woodside Horsepark, Webb Ranch, San Mateo County (Ladera), Arastradero Rd,, POST, MidPen, El Mirador, and Neely properties among others.
o Complete the mapping of the Town and high fire risk areas, including ravines and adjacent properties.
o Identify specific development criteria for areas within designated high risk zones (eg. Limiting higher density, detailing fire safety enhancements) o Accelerate WFPD Area 12 inspections (Los Trancos Woods and Skyline) to 2025 and work with WFPD to provide the properties with additional two-year compliance timeline.
o Work with Cal Water to recommend changes to allow for a rebate for homes that require a larger than 1” meter connection for fire sprinkler installation.

4. Emergency Preparedness Measures:
o Partner with Cal Water and WFPD to audit and document adequate fire hydrant coverage and pressure
o Work with utilities to document and update, if necessary, comprehensive utility safeguards for wildfire, earthquakes, flooding, and landslides o Work with WFPD and EPC to determine emergency radio needs for the Town, given the frequency with which the Town loses electricity. o Work with WFPD, SMC Sheriff, and County to expand coverage of the ERRCS systems.
o Work with Town Committees, staff, and emergency personnel on Town resident engagement and preparation for emergencies and determine if the Town needs

to create a Disaster Council to plan our emergency responses with our public safety organizations and Safety committees.
o Work with WFPD on removing locks from fire access gates within Portola Valley (Sausal, Grove, PVRanch, etc.)
o Explore the possibility of creating 3 lanes along Alpine Road (and accommodate safe bicycle routes)
o Work with PGE/PCE/Sustainability SMC/Sustainability Committee to explore and enhance electrical grid resilience through:
 Electrification (elimination of gas appliances and pipelines).  Solar systems
 Battery storage systems
 Microgrid implementation
 Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) integration
 Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities

5. Financial Strategy:
o Identify and pursue grant opportunities
o Develop community fundraising initiatives
o Establish long term sustainable funding mechanisms
o Establish a committee to assist in planning for revenue enhancement measures.

6. Community Engagement
o Engage community stakeholders and committee members in priority setting processes
o Create a community engagement plan for encouraging residential safety programs such as home hardening and vegetation management. o Create a community engagement plan for implementing revenue and financing initiatives.

______________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Councilmember Helen Wolter
DATE: February 5, 2025
RE: FireWise Communities for Wildfire Safety
RECOMMENDATION:

Direct the Wildfire Safety Committee and the Emergency Preparedness Committee to jointly work on creating FireWise Communities throughout the Town of Portola Valley. Due to personalities on the two bodies – it may make sense to have them work separately – and then do a subcommittee on this effort.

BACKGROUND:

Portola Valley’s fire safety is only as good as your next-door neighbors’ efforts. To create better fire safety throughout our community, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), offers a structured approach for municipalities to enhance their wildfire resilience in California called Firewise USA. This initiative promotes collaborative efforts among residents, local fire departments, and other key stakeholders to bolster the fire resistance of homes and surroundings.

Integral to California’s wildfire preparedness strategy, the program is supported by CAL FIRE’s Community Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation Division, aiding communities in achieving Firewise designation. To learn more, visit https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/firewisecommunities/ The following neighborhoods have achieved the Firewise designation per website and conversations:
• Portola Valley Ranch
• Westridge
• Alpine Hills South
• The Sequoias will be certified soon
• Woodside Highlands/Wyndham Circle/Wayside Road
The entire Town would benefit from a coordinated effort to support improved landscape scale resilience.

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Colleagues Memo

______________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Councilmember Flynn
DATE: 04/02/2025
RE: SFO Roundtable Meeting (04/02/2025)
COMMUNITY INFORMATION ITEMS:

Report on Noise tracking: Portola Valley continues to report significant levels of noise. Thank you to all those who are reporting the noise. January 2025 Director's Report Report aircraft noise at one of these sites:
• Noise.flysfo.com
• https:stop.jetmoise.net
• WebTrak : San Francisco International Airport (Click on the relevant noisy plane and then click the tiny little bubble comment icon on the very bottom left of the popup panel to submit the noise complaint)
NOTES:

Future Ready advanced air mobility - Mark Nagales, SSF-Oyster Point landing project for eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing)
Ground based noise - noise contour map - noise behind the runways concerns Reporting and complaining about the noise- an opportunity to use the reporting tools. (Ann Schneider, Millbrae)
SFO Director’s report
March SFO levels 90% of prepandemic levels
New larger aircrafts - 52 million passengers last year - still a bit below prepandemic levels. Expect to be at prepandemic levels 2026- affected by lower international travel New flights:

United to Adelaide, Australia 787
United to Panama City May 737
United to SJ Costa Rica May 737
United to Portugal June a330

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
SFO Roundtable Update

Report on Noise tracking: Portola Valley continues to report significant levels of aircraft noise.

Thank you to all those who are reporting the noise. Last two monthly Airport Director’s reports. Noise levels reported by city on page 6.
https://sforoundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/7A_Directors-Report-January-2025-Final1.pdf https://sforoundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/7B_Directors-Report-February-2025-Final.pdf Airport Development Plan - 2 sets of parallel runways - no new runways or changes to runways planned at SFO - maximum is expected to be 71-72 million passengers - no more - goal to modernize, enhance airport experience, match facilities to the capacity. Proposed: reconfiguration of International terminal, add a new terminal H, multi modal parking area in center area.

SFO Community Roundtable Function
SFO owned and operated by SF County but located in SMC
Advocate for the reduction of noise
No Authority to control flight paths, number of flights, or times which is controlled by FAA Noise 101 course provided - link: Noise 101 – SFO Airport/Community Roundtable This page contains resources for understanding noise related to aircraft operations, as well as noise abatement programs at SFO.

______________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Councilmember Rebecca Flynn
DATE: 03/27/2025
RE: Report of 03/27/2025 Peninsula Clean Energy Committee meeting Action Items

1. Share Community Benefits newsletter coming out tomorrow March 28 - with Councilmembers and newsletter staff

2. Numerous Community events in April celebrating Earth Day. Please join PCE. Check their social media channels for announcements

3. Advertise four summer internships - April 15 - undergraduate and graduate students.

Notes

1. Looking for synergies with c/cag resource management subcommittee

2. Legislative update - energy is a hot topic in Sacramento a. SB540 - Becker - Pathways initiative - regional energy (2 sides to the bill) - Loretta Lynch represents the other side
b. AB 306 - Schultz - wildfire package - moratorium on reach codes throughout the entire state - for six years - support from housing groups - opposition from environmental groups
c. 3 bills on battery storage: AB 303 (Addis), SB 283 (Laird), AB1285 (Multiple authors) - Batteries - clean battery storage limits, fire safety guidance for lithium ion batteries. d. Caltrain/Regenerative breaking AB1285 (Papan) - Caltrain - new customer for PCE - credit to Caltrain for regenerative breaking
e. Cost of living and energy affordability - reduction by 1% of ROI for investor utilities

3. Rightsizing EV infrastructure - level 1 and low level 2 at Multifamily developments. Letter from 10 assembly members to PUC/CEC

4. Budget season for PCE starting April 16

5. Community Benefits - sent out tomorrow March 28 - Share with Councilmembers and newsletter staff

6. 2026-2030 Strategic Plan - coming this year for approval

7. PCE EV Ready - flagship program to put EV chargers in the community - mostly multifamily - 4th,3rd,2nd, and first largest multi-family EV charging projects in the country (140-200 chargers, for every parking space). Using Smart outlets and right-size - cost is about $2000- 2500 each. (Compared to $12,000 for level 2). Meters have built-in billing functions.

8. Numerous Community events in April. Please join

9. Four summer internships - April 15 - undergraduate and graduate students.

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
PCE Board of Directors Report

10. Community Advisory Committee update - Recommends equity considerations

11. Apr 28-29 - Conference in Irvine - sponsored by PCE

12. Caiso field trip - Folsom - May 30 field trip - let Nelly know if interested

13. Study Session - PCE Energy 101 - Roy Tsou (?) - power procurement 90% of budget. 3,403 GWh consumption for 2024. PCE is only 1.5% of CA system load. 1.5 gigawatts procured by PCE ($425 million/yr). 2030 Goal to meet 100% renewable, 24/7. We are winter peaking utility.

Challenge to meet the load in winter. Higher hedging needs in winter.

14. Study Session - Managing Volatility - Cost of energy volatility (reduced by LT PPA contracts) and the PCIA (exit fee) and revenue volatility. PCIA - preexisting costs for all - insure that remaining pge customers don’t see higher rates as a result of customers leaving PGE. PCIA very volatile as it is dependent on the cost of energy in the market. PCE keeps 180-250 days cash on hand to manage risks.

15. Ribbon cutting in Los Banos for PVs on community center.

16. Update on CEC Sacramento meeting - session on local governments highlighting electrification.

______________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Councilmember Rebecca Flynn
DATE: 03/25/2025
RE: Report of 03/25/2025 Conservation Committee meeting Action Items

1. Place Priority Conservation Area approval on a TC agenda prior to June 12, 2025

2. Send final Wildlife Corridor update to Fencing Ordinance to ASCC for approval.

3. Evaluate and define wildlife corridors in Town.

4. Update Tree Removal Permit Process on website.

Notes

1. Eliza Low wishes to place Barn Owl Boxes around town, particularly at the Frog Pond Park.

Volunteer for Raptors are the solution to prevent the use of rodenticides. CC supports the installation of the box. CC to help with locating the box.

2. Tree Removal Permit Process - Streamlined version with amendment to number 3 for subcommittee to evaluate the request and visit property as appropriate. Asked to be very objective (healthy tree or not or dead, endangering someone or a structure, fire danger, insurance requirement, in the way of a construction project). Text on the website needs to be updated. CC approved the process enumerated. To be taken to the Town Staff for updating the website.

3. Broom Pull successful. A lot of small scouts helped. Need more outreach to teen community service hours. Woodside Priory and Woodside High School. For future years, take notes in advance of areas that have Broom infestation.

4. Wildlife Corridor and Fencing Guidelines - Ordinance submitted to the Town. To follow up with the Town for moving forward. Working on the Supporting Guidelines. Assembly bill 1899 - requires that the Town evaluate where the wildlife corridors and ensure the free safe movement of wildlife. Education necessary. Genetics are critical. Animals need to be able to have access to habitat and enough members of their species.

5. Mountain Lion Lecture - Great success - 200 signed up. Westridge Garden Club organized the talk and CC cosponsored. Second talk organized at PVR to have a friend from Nature Conservancy talked about his webcams on his property in Hillsborough, seeing mountain lions, cubs, jumping over 8 foot fences, chasing deer, and skunks. Opossums, raccoons, etc.

CC should emphasize wildlife corridors and rodenticides, preserving habitat from fire.

Recommend doing their fire vs habitat lecture to ensure residents don’t destroy their properties. Request to put the mountain lion YouTube video on the website.

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Conservation Committee Report

6. Woodside Fire joint subcommittee with Fire Marshall Kim Guilliacci. Need uniform tree report with the fire department - redwood tree flammability and Broom

7. Frog Pond - meeting with the school - need plan for the construction staging area . CC should be included in the security fencing placement. Issue with the soccer field. Wildflower seeding.

8. Open space
a. Met at Spring Down with Kim Giulliacci with Pat Dempsey. Agreed on a mowing schedule - 4 times per year. Justin said the first mowing will be first week of April (late).

Need the Engineer to approve the mowing. Recommendation to allocate $60K from Open Space Fund. Too late to be weeded by Go natives this year. b. Dorothy Field Open Space Fund - PC were not ok with rezoning the entire property and not designating what part of the property would be upzoned. And wanted the PD to talk to HCD to about moving the 50 VLI units to other sites. Town Staff to meet with Village Square and Fogarty to find out what could happen there. Also proposal from OS committee to purchase the Fogarty property.

9. Public Works - no updates from the Town Staff as we do not currently have a Town Engineer

10. Trails - No updates from the Town on trail maintenance. Identifying their goals for the next year. Develop a comprehensive plan for new trails. Presentation to TC on April 21. Contract signed for Shady Trail maintenance.

11. Wildfire Preparedness - no meeting planned.

12. CC met with Mark Linder, Interim Town Manager. - CC available to create a maintenance plan for open space. Brought up concern about fences going from improved 4’ to twice the size.

Town has an enforcement arm. Reached out to the Town about budget for a banner and brochures.

13. Kudos - to the Mountain lion talk organization - mention of rodenticide problems.

14. Tip of the Month - nesting birds

15. Blooming now - plans for next 3 months of spring

16. Astroturf - lawn alternative for a site - opinion is shifting against astroturf. Not considered drought tolerant in CA. Millbrae has banned it and residents can’t replace it once it’s worn out.

Increasing evidence that it creates heat islands and gets hosed down to clean it. Doesn’t save water. Bacteria don’t decompose as they don’t touch the soil. Large carbon footprint, made from hydrocarbons. Environmental concerns - ends up in landfills, pfas chemicals and microplastics. Need to advocate for the Town to not allow it. More abrasive than grass for playing fields. Subcommittee formed to work on it. May want to speak with the neighbor on Cherokee who has a plot. Need a position paper on file to dissuade residents. Should be considered impervious surface. Limits need to be defined.

17. Priority Conservation Area - ABAG/MTC program - - Local governments can nominate conservation areas. Once accepted, they are eligible for grants. Support conservation, resilience and recreation goals. Urban Greening, Recreation, and Climate Adaptation (overlaying designation). Now ABAG/MTC want defined areas, not whole towns. Midpen had designated all their land as PCA. Hawthorns, Windy Hill, and Arastradero. Open spaces, trail connector at Fogarty Winery. Migration pathways - Alpine Scenic corridors - open space connector to enhance the corridor. Alpine road scenic corridor. Urban greening - enhancing urban creeks for ecological reasons and habitat and migration connectivity.

 



























 
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