Town Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 1
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 14, 2025
Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dombkowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Aburish (remote - just cause exception), Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski
Staff Present:
Jean Savaree, Town Attorney
Sage Schaan, Planning Director
Yazdan Emrani, Town Engineer/Public Works Director
Jennifer Li, Town Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Brown led the pledge of allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Dombkowski acknowledged the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, and how the Town continues its wildfire resilience efforts by connecting with regional and local leaders.
David Mittelman, Grandview Drive, expressed support for expanding vegetation management programs.
Councilmember Brown announced that the Safety Tips for Older Adults workshop is this Thursday starting at 3:00 p.m. in Independence Hall.
PRESENTATION
Laura Fanucchi, Director of Programs at HIP Housing, spoke of upcoming projects this year and expressed appreciation for the Town’s support.
Marc Hershman, Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), provided an update on programs.
Council’s questions included: how the avian community is protected from impacts of wind and solar technologies; what new changes stem from new leadership in PCE; how homeowners can switch their source for power generation.
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 2
In response to Council’s questions, Mr. Hershman stated: although he is unfamiliar with the issue, the Audubon Society is supportive of wind power; the CEO, COO, and CFO are relatively new in their positions; PCE is becoming more customer centric with the top priority being affordability; homeowners are automatically enrolled in PCE and could choose to opt out or back in.
In response to David Mittelman’s question about whether PCE has plans for handling transmission, Mr. Hershman stated: that is not under consideration at this time.
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 December 1 through December 31, 2024.
3. 2024-25 November Monthly Investment Activity Report.
4. Approval of Minutes: Special Meeting of December 13, 2024.
5. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map Designation for APN 072-162-350 from Rural Residential (RR) to Community Commercial (CC) for a proposed project including new commercial outdoor dining areas and expanded commercial parking lot at and existing commercial center known as the Cañada Corners, located at 3036 – 3062 Woodside Road (ZOAM2022-0001).
Ordinance No. 2025 - 642
6. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Chapter 153 (Zoning) implementing Housing Element Programs H1.3.a (allowing additional ADUs on larger properties), H1.3.b (Remove Barriers to Construction of ADUs and JADUs), and H4.3.a (Update the Definition of Emergency Shelters Pursuant to State Government Code Section (65583(a)(4)).
Ordinance No. 2025 - 643
Councilmember Goeld pulled Items 5 and 6 for discussion.
Councilmember Wall moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 1-4.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
The Public Comment Period opened at 7:31 p.m.
Regarding Item 6, David Mittelman, Grandview Drive, requested that Council remove the JADU requirement.
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 3
Mayor Dombkowski stated: the purpose is to comply with the program implementation schedule; additional amendments will be coming soon.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 5 and 6.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARING
A. Town Council Consideration of the following actions related to the Implementation of the Cycle 6 Housing Element (2023-2031) of the General Plan:
1. Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance Amending the Classification of the Multi-Family Residential District Under Woodside Municipal Code Chapter 153, Section 153.102(E); or Introduction of an Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Woodside Amending the Classification of the Multi-Family Residential District Under Woodside Municipal Code Chapter 153, Section 153.102(E).
Ordinance No. 2025 - 644
2. Review and approval of a Resolution amending the Objective Design Standards (ODS) for the following multi-family sites identified in the Town’s Housing Element: APN 069- 170-450 (High Road), APN 072-041-040 (Raymundo Drive), and APN 068-100-220 (773 Cañada Road).
Resolution No. 2025 - 7722
3. Review and approval of a Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Woodside Disputing the Findings Described in the December 6, 2024 Letter from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Indicating that the Town’s Adopted Cycle 6 Housing Element Does Not Yet Substantially Comply with State Housing Element Law.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7723
Ms. Savaree presented the staff report.
Council’s questions included: clarification about the parking space issue; the likelihood of HCD “moving the goal post” again; whether there is any administrative process to challenge HCD’s interpretation of the law; would rezoning of the Cañada Road parcel affect HCD’s findings; how the Town would know the Housing Element is in substantial compliance; have other communities experienced HCD’s tendency to “move the goal post”.
In response to Council’s questions, Ms. Savaree stated: HCD is indicating that imposing a flat two space per unit is an impediment to development; HCD would like to see one space per bedroom with a maximum of two spaces; recent correspondences with HCD indicate that the particular sentence in the Government Code is the remaining issue; there is no process for
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 4
challenging HCD’s interpretation; changing the Cañada Road parcel’s zone would not affect HCD’s findings as HCD is concerned about the low to very low income level sites (i.e., High Road and Raymundo Drive); HCD will provide confirmation of substantial compliance with a letter as well as updating their website; Woodside’s experiences with HCD has been similar to the experiences of other jurisdictions on the Peninsula.
In response to Council’s questions, Mr. Schaan added: HCD specifically noted that moderate income was not a concern; the parking issue was not brought up before as a concern of HCD because this was the first time HCD saw the Objective Design Standards.
The Public Comment Period opened at 7:58 p.m.
Sue Poletti, Raymundo Drive, urged Council to abide by the Fire Code.
Ariel Strauss, Greenfire Law, spoke in opposition of including the Raymundo site due to its fire risk.
Kim Hansen, Raymundo Drive, asked how many times the Town submitted to HCD and received more comments back.
David Mittelman, Grandview Drive, asked what is preventing the homeowner of 773 Cañada Road from changing their plans and increasing density.
Council and staff responses to the public included: the emergency evacuation routes were studied in the EIR and the impact was determined to be less than significant with mitigation; the specific project designs will be reviewed, including a second evacuation route; there currently is no proposed project for review; when there is a project for review, the Town will abide by all the Codes; there were about four to five formal submittals to HCD; staff will bring a zoning amendment to limit 773 Cañada to 16 units.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:14 p.m.
Council’s comments included: support for the proposed ordinances and resolutions; concern for Builder’s Remedy; a recent article in the Washington Post stated that urban sprawl was the biggest factor for the Southern California fires; the devastation must send a message to Assembly Members, Senators, and the Governor that this insanity of building everywhere needs to stop; this Housing Element process has been frustrating; back in September, the Council made fire safety the top of the goal list.
Councilmember Wall moved to adopt the Urgency Ordinance.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 5
Councilmember Wall moved approval of the Resolution amending the Objective Design Standards (ODS).
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Councilmember Wall moved to approve the Resolution disputing HCD’s most recent findings.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Goeld and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
APPOINTMENTS
B. Mayor’s Councilmember Committee Appointments.
Mayor Dombkowski stated: his appreciation for all the hard work everyone does on these committees; there is a new ad-hoc committee, requested by Supervisor Mueller, to explore shared services and potential cost savings with Portola Valley; since the Council now consists of five seats, a subcommittee cannot be made up of three people; his expectations for representation at each committee to maintain connectivity in the community.
Councilmember Aburish will check whether there is any conflict of interest for joining Peninsula Clean Energy.
REPORTS
C. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
Councilmember Goeld thanked Ms. Savaree for her work tonight.
Mayor Dombkowski stated: work will continue regarding fire prevention and mitigation; he has been invited by the School Board to speak in February about the Housing Element and what that might mean for enrollment over time; he participated in the City Selection meeting; the County has asked if Woodside would be interested in having a no confidence vote in the Sheriff.
D. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Ms. Cardinale spoke of: applications for volunteer committees; W-Ball registration is open; Cars and Coffee on April 12; the Emergency Preparedness Committee continues to prepare the Fire Evacuation Plan for Council’s review; the Arts and Culture Committee and the Environment and Open Space Committee are working together on a Woodside photography contest.
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 6
Councilmember Brown requested volunteers for Thursday’s workshop to explain what the Town is trying to do and answer questions.
COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dombkowski adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. _____________________________ Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Woodside APPROVED: ________________________________ Mayor of the Town of Woodside