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TOWN OF WOODSIDE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 24, 2024
Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wall called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Wall indicated that there was no reportable action from the closed session.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall Staff Present:
Jean Savaree, Town Attorney
Yazdan Emrani, Town Engineer/Public Works Director
Brandi deGarmeaux, Senior Management Analyst
Melissa Cardinale, Interim Town Clerk/ Assistant to the Town Manager
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Shaw led the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no open communications.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
No Town Manager report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Waiver of Full Reading of Ordinance, per Government Code Section 36934.
2. Register of Demands Against the Town of Woodside from September 1 through September 15, 2024.
3. Resolution Accepting Completion of the Glens Path Phase 2 and Phase 3 Project and Authorizing the Town Clerk to Record a Notice of Completion.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7706
4. Resolution (1) Approving Plans and Specifications for the Woodside Hazardous Tree Removal Project; (2) Authorizing the Town Manager to Advertise for Bids and to Execute a Contract with the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder, In An Amount Not to Exceed $880,994.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7707
• Review and Approve the Town's Response to the San Mateo County Grand Jury Repor Restaurant Exteriors: The Neglected Space'
6. Review and Approve the Town's Response to the San Mateo County Grand Jury Report: "The State of Compost Compliance in San Mateo County".
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7. Resolution Adopting the Countywide and Town of Woodside Local Roadway Safety Plan and Accompanying Vision Zero Goal Recommendation.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7708
Councilmember Goeld pulled Items 5 and 6 for discussion.
Councilmember Shaw moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 1-4 and 7.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
Regarding Items 5 and 6, Councilmember Goeld pulled these items to talk about the process of responding to Grand Jury reports.
Regarding Item 5, Mayor Wall asked for clarification on the response to Finding 6 stating that the Town doesn't have information available regarding wastewater from the cleaning of trash areas and from rain flow going into the storm drain systems.
In response, Mr. Emrani stated that discharge of any kind of polluted waters into the storm drain is not permitted or permissible. In order to confirm this is happening, the Town would have to see the person in the act of discharging polluted waters into the storm drain.
Councilmember Goeld moved to approve Items 5 and 6.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Fluet and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
OLD BUSINESS
A. CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 10, 2024: Second Reading and Adoption of Two Ordinances That Would Do the Following: Amend Municipal Code Chapter 153 (Zoning) to Add New Multi-Family (MF) Zoning District Development Standards, and Changes to Existing Standards for the Multi-Family Residential Development Overlay Zone (MFRD) at Cañada College; Amend the Zoning Map Designation for APN 069-170-450 (High Road) from Open Space for Preservation of Natural Resources (OSN) to MF; Amend the Zoning Map Designation for APN 072-041-040 (Raymundo Drive) from Open Space (OS) To MF; Amend the Zoning Map Designation for a Portion of APN 068-100-220 (773 Canada Road) from Suburban Residential (SR) To MF; and, Amend the Zoning Map Designation for Portions of Cañada College Campus, APNS 068-320-330/410 From SR/MFRD to Multi-Family Ordinance No. 2024-639 and Ordinance No. 2024-640
Ms. Savaree stated that Councilmember Brown needed to be recused due to living within 500 feet of the proposed housing site at High Road. Councilmember Brown left the room at 7:13 p.m.
Ms. Savaree presented the staff report.
Mayor Wall stated that staff will introduce each item, and then each item will have an opportunity for Council questions, public comment, Council deliberations, and then a vote.
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Docusign Envelope ID: CA9BA36E-DE6A-44F3-B1CC-C57B7319A82D Council then proceeded with hearing each item separately as outlined below:
1. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Woodside Municipal Code Chapter 153, Approving New Multi-Family Housing Development Standards for the Multi-Family Residential (MF) Zone and Rezoning APN 069-170-450 (High Road) from Open Space for Natural Preservation (OSN) to Multi-Family Residential (MF).
Council questions included: clarification on a programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and a project level EIR; should Council codify the idea of a subcommittee which would include citizens near the density sites; what is the timing to file appeals on the zoning actions; clarification on how the density on the High Road site was calculated.
In response to Council questions, Matt Francois from Rutan & Tucker, special California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and land use counsel to the Town on the Housing Element, spoke about the difference between a program EIR and project EIR.
In response to Council questions, Ms. Savaree stated that when the Town determines that it wishes to proceed with considering a development on either one of the Town-owned sites, public meetings will be held. Council would determine at that time if it wanted to create a subcommittee or a steering committee of citizens to be involved in the process. Regarding appeals, there is no appeal of a zoning action.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Schaan stated that in order for the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to consider these high-density sites in Woodside, they had to be zoned at least 20 units per acre. HCD does acknowledge that some sites are constrained, and the sites may not reach that density. HCD did accept the target density of 16 units on that site and the site is approximately an acre.
The Public Comment Period opened at 7:28 p.m.
Kim Hansen, Raymundo, spoke about the site grading which may exceed 1,500 cubic yards without Planning Commission approval of an exception and that multi-family residential may be built on slopes in excess of 35%. She asked if this means any site in Woodside that is rezoned multi-family can have unlimited removal of dirt and unlimited slope.
In response, Mr. Schaan stated that the zoning in this particular zoning district would not require planning approval of a grading exception or a Planning Commission variance approval to develop on those steep slopes. For the Town-owned sites, the Town Council will choose how those sites get developed.
Marcela Mahoney De Alcazar spoke about concerns with traffic on High Road, and affecting wildlife in the area and property values.
The Public Comment Period closed at 7:35 p.m.
Council discussion included: if the Town doesn't comply, the Attorney General could take over our permitting, impose fines, and the Town will be exposed to the Builder's Remedy; all concerns have been heard and will continue to be heard.
Councilmember Fluet moved approval of the Ordinance Amending Woodside Municipal Code Chapter 153, Approving New Multi-Family Housing Development Standards for the Multi-Family Residential (MF) Zone anc Rezoning APN 069-170-450 (High Road) from Open Space for Natural Preservation (OSN) to Multi-Family Residential (MF).
Motion seconded by Mayor Wall and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Dombkowski, Fluet, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: Councilmember Goeld
RECUSED: Councilmember Brown
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Docusign Envelope ID: CA9BA36E-DE6A-44F3-B1CC-C57B7319A82D Councilmember Brown rejoined the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
2. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Woodside Municipal Code Chapter (MFRD) at Cañada College (APNS 068-320-330/410), Rezoning of a Portion of APN 068-100- rons or an entana sa to a Family retonal 0) Rezoning Portions of APNS 068-320-330/410 (Canada College) from SR/MFRD to Multi-Family Residential Zone (MFRZ), and Rezoning APN 072-041-040 (Raymundo Drive) from Open Space (OS) to Multi-Family Residential (MF).
Council questions included: interpretation of the Fire Marshal's letter regarding a second access road.
In response, Ms. Savaree stated that staff received concerns from residents that the property on Raymundo was out of compliance with the Fire Code as currently built out and that no additional development of any sort could occur in that neighborhood unless a second access road was provided. As indicated in the Fire Marshal's letter, Fire Code Section D. 107 is regarding the development of subdivisions. If someone is proposing a project that has more than 30 units on one parcel, the Fire Code says that a second access road is to be provided or sprinklers are to be installed for the entire project. The resolution Council adopted for the zoning specifically instructed staff to explore a second access.
The Public Comment Period opened at 8:02 p.m.
The following spoke to express their concern: Sue Poletti, Steve Lubin, John Huhs, Maggie Mah, and Kim Hansen.
Speakers raised issues on their interpretation of the Fire Code. Mr. Lubin asked Council to revise the area that is zoned at 773 Cañada and to form a committee to revise the Objective Design Standards. Speakers asked that Council consider establishing a committee to supervise the implementation of the Housing Element.
In response, Mr. Schaan stated that any development will have to meet code requirements.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:34 p.m.
Council discussion included: the concentration issues in certain neighborhoods is a real concern; we are looking forward to exploring the Town Center plan in terms of next steps for development; continuing with the Raymundo site and evaluating the second access road; the Objective Design Standards can be revised at any time; comments in favor of forming a committee which includes community members to assist in the future planning process; a review of the sites that were explored over the last three years to include in the Housing Element; there are limited options for housing sites because we live in a small town; we will keep exploring possible sites.
Councilmember Fluet moved approval of the Ordinance Amending Woodside Municipal Code Chapter 153, Approving Revisions to the Existing Multi-Family Residential Development Overlay Zone (MFRD) at Cañada College (APNS 068-320-330/410), Rezoning of a Portion of APN 068-100-220 (773 Cañada Road) from Suburban Residential (SR) to Multi-Family Residential (MF), Rezoning Portions of APNS 068-320-330/410 (Cañada College) from SR/MFRD to Multi-Family Residential Zone (MFRZ), and Rezoning APN 072-041-040 (Raymundo Drive) from Open Space (OS) to Multi-Family Residential (MF).
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Fluet, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: Councilmembers Dombkowski and Goeld
PUBLIC HEARING
B. LDIV2023-0001 - Approval of a Final Map for a Two-lot Land Division and Acceptance of a Restrictive Covenant (988 Godetia Drive).
Ms. Filipe presented the staff report.
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Docusign Envelope ID: CA9BA36E-DE6A-44F3-B1CC-C57B7319A82D Council questions included: why has it taken four years for this final map to be presented; has the concern regarding drainage been mitigated; the drainage master plan is in the Town's CIP budget and will this neighborhood be looked at as part of that master plan.
In response, Ms. Filipe stated that there was an issue with the water service being transferred from Redwood City to CalWater. Regarding drainage, when a proposed project is submitted, the Engineering Department will review and make sure it is in compliance with the minimum requirements.
In response, Mr. Emrani stated that a townwide drainage master plan will be conducted, and the Town would address any deficiencies that the study finds.
The Public Comment Period opened at 9:06 p.m.
Maggie Mah spoke to advocate for this neighborhood to be a priority in the drainage master plan, given the topography, lack of attention that has been given to this area, and the significant developments that have occurred.
In response, Mr. Emrani stated that the study will identify the deficiencies and defects and make recommendations for CIPs to improve drainage. When the implementation stage begins, we can look at prioritization in terms of implementing the CIPs.
The Public Comment Period closed at 9:12 p.m.
Councilmember discussion included: concern with fire access and overbuilding on narrow roads; looking forward to the drainage study and hoping the implementation phase can begin in 2025.
Councilmember Shaw moved approval of the Final Map for a Two-lot Land Division and Acceptance of a Restrictive Covenant (988 Godetia Drive).
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
REPORTS
C. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Ms. Cardinale shared details about the American Diabetes Association group bicycle ride, Cars & Coffee event, and the volunteer reception.
Mr. Schaan provided an update on the Cañada Corners Commercial Center proposed project to expand the parking lot.
Council asked questions about the existing easements on the property.
D. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
Councilmember Goeld spoke about the Department of Emergency Management meeting and revisions to the Joint Powers Agreement which will come before Council.
Mayor Wall read a statement from the Sheriff's Office. She spoke of the history of the Firehouse Bistro which is the location of Woodside's first firehouse.
COMMUNICATIONS
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Docusign Envelope ID: CA9BA36E-DE6A-44F3-B1CC-C57B7319A82D
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wall adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
- Signed by:
Brian Dombkowski
-H1CC32E22D0F400
Mayor of the Town of Woodside
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