Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 11, 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, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski Staff Present:
Kevin Bryant, Town Manager
Jean Savaree, Town Attorney
Sage Schaan, Planning Director
Melanie Olson, Associate Planner
Yazdan Emrani, Town Engineer/Public Works Director
Jennifer Li, Town Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Wall led the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
David Mittelman, Grandview Drive, noted that Mr. Bryant will be retiring soon and expressed appreciation for Mr. Bryant's open-door policy.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Bryant stated: the Town is spending a FEMA hazard mitigation grant on hazardous tree removal in the right-of-way throughout Town; the Woodside Fire Protection District expects to adopt Cal Fire's Very High Fire Severity Zone Map without any changes in April.
Councilmember Brown requested a finance summary prior to 2020 to gain perspective of the Town's financial situation.
Mr. Bryant responded that he can provide that, and that the finances have been stable.
Mayor Dombkowski asked for further clarification about the grant.
Mr. Bryant stated the Town received $300,000 to support $400,000 of work.
Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 1
Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD Dave Burow, Sheridan Way, stated: the Woodside Fire Protection District has been implementing fuel reduction and fire safety programs without regard to the Cal Fire Map by treating every area in the district as a High Fire Severity Zone; interest in clarification on whether adopting the newest Cal Fire Map would impact any programs and building codes.
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 February 16 through 28, 2025.
3. Resolution Modifying the 2024-25 Town Salary Schedule and Classification Plan.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7736
4. Acceptance of 2023-24 Audited Basic Financial Statements, Gann (Proposition 111) Appropriations Limit Review, Measure A and W Special Revenue Fund Reports, Memorandum on internal Control and Required Communications, and Town Manager's Report on the Town's 2023-24 Financial Self-Assessment.
5. Approval of Minutes: Special and Regular Meetings of September 24, 2024.
6. Annual Progress Report for the General Plan (2024).
7. Annual Progress Report for the Housing Element (2024).
Councilmember Aburish pulled Item 3
Councilmember Wall pulled 7 for discussion.
Councilmember Goeld pulled Item 4.
Councilmember Brown moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, and 5.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Aburish and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Regarding Item 3, Council's questions included: clarification about the Deputy Town Clerk position; whether there will be a vacancy to fill; the Town's review and promotion process; whether the Council should have a study session to formalize the process on how employees are reviewed.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated: there will be no vacancy; this is reestablishing a position the Town once Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 2
Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD had; Julie Paping has been outstanding since she joined the team; the annual review process comes out of the personnel manual; employees receive an annual review from their supervisor; promotions are for individuals who are going beyond their duties; a tool to engage high performing employees is creating promotional opportunities; the Town Attorney is updating the personnel policy, so there will be an opportunity for the Council to discuss the review process when it is brought to the Council in the next three months.
Councilmember Aburish moved approval of the Consent Calendar Item 3.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Goeld and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Regarding Item 4, Council expressed their deep appreciation for the engaging and incredible Audit Committee for their expertise and work.
Dave Eichler, Chair of the Audit Committee, thanked Mayor Dombkowski and Councilmember Goeld for acting as liaisons for Council, and thanked Cindy Safe and staff for completing the audit.
Mayor Dombkowski asked Mr. Eichler's opinion on whether more funds should be put aside for the pension liability.
In response, Mr. Eichler spoke of: Callers managing the pension assets for the Town; the annual actuarial report stated the Town's pension liability was 71% funded, which is close to the target 70% average ratio for pension plans; the benefits of seeing benchmarks of other municipalities.
The Public Comment Period opened and closed at 7:31 p.m.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of the Consent Calendar Item 4.
Motion seconded by Mayor Dombkowski and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Regarding Item 7, Council's questions included: what the next steps are for Housing Element compliance; how housing for teachers could be accommodated; any updates with Cañada College in providing 75 units; whether there have been any conversations about bringing sewer into Runnymede or building a second emergency access road; outlook for the remaining six years left in the current cycle.
In response, staff stated: the programs are outlined in the Housing Element; some of the highlights in the upcoming year would be focused on getting a partner to develop Town-owned sites; there is Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 3
Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD more outreach to complete, and continuing to update the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinances; regarding housing for teachers, Council could direct staff to release a Request for Proposal; there is no specific update at this time regarding Cañada College; the County has been informed about expanding the Town Center Sewer; without any real development proposals, it is difficult to tell whether an emergency access road would be needed; as programs get up and running, staff anticipates an increase in housing units; the Town has an encouraging rate of ADU production.
The Public Comment Period opened at 7:41 p.m.
David Mittelman asked how the State counts housing units.
In response, Mr. Schaan stated: by permits issued.
The Public Comment Period closed at 7:42 p.m.
Mr. Bryant noted that Consent Calendar Item 6 was not approved yet.
Councilmember Wall moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 6 and 7.
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. Introduction and first reading of an Ordinance to amend provisions of Municipal Code Chapter 153 (Zoning) regarding the conversion of barns to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and ADU height limitations. This Ordinance is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), pursuant to Public Resource Code Section 21080.17 (CEQA is not applicable to local ordinances regulating the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units).
Ordinance No. 2025 - 647
Mr. Schaan provided an introduction and Ms. Olson presented the staff report. There were two desk items in support of the proposed changes.
Council's questions included: whether there have been conversations about studio-sized apartments built within a barn; whether any plans have been put in place to encourage more barn development in the community; whether it would be appropriate to increase the 800 square foot ADU exception for all properties.
In response, Mr. Schaan stated: a barn that is not being used for livestock can exist; homeowners Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 4
Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD are encouraged to convert barns into ADUs, and that would not prohibit the future construction/conversion of equestrian facilities; the Livestock and Equestrian Heritage Committee is aware of this ordinance; he plans to meet with the Committee as they gather ideas they would like to pursue that might help facilitate or encourage other types of equestrian facility construction in Town; currently, the Code indicates that the first 800 square feet of ADUs on the property does not count against the TFA allowed; Mr. Patrick is asking whether that exception allowance could be increased; some properties are allowed four ADUs; the Town has not seen it to be a significant barrier for folks, however, it could be another tool to allow for more flexibility to increase ADU production; staff has no opposition or significant issues with Mr. Patrick's suggestion; the exception would be dedicated to ADU uses; if Council is interested, that change could be included in the next ADU ordinance update; this draft ordinance will be aligned with the CD's interpretation of State law; barns of any size (i.e., larger than 1,500 square feet) could be converted to a singular ADU.
Council comments included: interest in Mr. Patrick's suggestion of increasing the square footage exception for ADUs.
The Public Comment Period opened at 8:02 p.m.
Lee Ann Gilbert, Olive Hill Lane, expressed concern about the current street and sewage infrastructure being able to handle the expected population increase.
In response, the Council's comments included: the issue is all municipalities are mandated to build, however, there is no funding for improving infrastructure to support development; for ADUs, property owners still need to demonstrate septic capability or sewer connection for the property.
A discussion between Steve Patrick, Midglen Way, and Mr. Schaan included: the 800 square foot exception is for any type of ADU whether attached or detached; sites with more constraints (e.g., steep slopes) could benefit from more square footage exceptions; for the plate height increase on downhill sites, it must be downsloping from the right-of-way; the area in which they used the ADU exception would be at least 15%; the ordinance does not include sites sloping uphill from the right-of-way.
Mayor Dombkowski requested that Mr. Patrick codify his suggestions.
David Mittelman, Grandview Drive, spoke of: the Town needing to discuss alternate septic systems with the County; allowing ADUs on slopes up to 50% necessitated downhill plate height relief; a request for Council to consider ADA accommodations in future plate height changes.
Mayor Dombkowski suggested staff add Mr. Mittelman's comments to the list of ordinances to be updated. He asked that an ADA situation could be a Variance.
In response to Council's question about ADA accommodations, Mr. Schaan spoke of: the topic being discussed with the Planning Commission; a 28-foot height limit is more akin to a main Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 5
Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD residence; if a site needed a special exception to provide ADA access, they can go through the Variance process.
Ms. Ward appreciated the proposed changes.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:20 p.m.
Council's comments included: appreciation for all the public comments to further improve the ordinance; support for the proposed ordinance changes; direction to staff to bring back the suggestions raised by Mr. Patrick regarding increasing the TFA exception Town-wide and considering uphill sloping sites; a suggestion to study how the Town can encourage equestrian facilities and retain the Town's equestrian heritage; interest in addressing the increasing traffic issue.
Councilmember Wall moved to introduce the ordinance.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Aburish and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
OLD BUSINESS
B. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Good City Company to Conduct the Town Center Area Plan Update.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7737
Mr. Bryant presented the staff report.
Council's questions included: whether the study will provide future predictions; whether there is a provision restricting changing the cost through the process; clarification about a ballot measure being exempt from environmental review; how many years in advance would the Town proactively approach the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Cycle 7.
In response to Council's questions, Mr. Bryant stated: this is a 20-year vision plan that accommodates future needs and community desires; this is a not-to-exceed scope that goes through plan adoption and environmental review; any changes to the scope would need prior approval; the scope of work does not include a ballot measure; Good City recognizes the current rules are a limitation, and there may even be a departure point (i.e., with Measure J scenario and without Measure J scenario); if Council decides it wants to put a measure on the ballot, the Council action is subject to CEQA; a citizen's initiative is exempt from CEQA by law; there may be political or strategic reasons for including a ballot measure in a regular or special election; the current RHNA cycle ends in 2031, and any necessary changes would be in place before the new cycle goes into effect; RHNA numbers might get released two years before the cycle starts; the Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 6
Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD plan implementation will fall to either the Town or the property/business owners over time.
The Public Comment Period opened at 8:46 p.m.
Lee Ann Gilbert, Olive Hill Lane, asked for clarification about the ballot measure discussion, and noted circulation issues in the Town Center.
In response, Mayor Dombkowski explained: the Town is overdue for updating the Town Center Area Plan; it is required by the Housing Element; it will be a two-year process that will be highly engaged with the public; the first step of the process is meeting with the primary stakeholders; next, an advisory citizen committee will be formed that represents every aspect of Town; the recommendations will be reported to the Council.
Mr. Bryant clarified that this is updating a planning document and does not compel any property to do anything.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:54 p.m.
Council's comments included: support of the project scope; appreciation for Good City's expertise; timing will be important for additional optionality with the next Housing cycle; a suggestion to have regular (e.g., quarterly) agreed-upon reports to the Council on what has been discussed and what is upcoming.
Councilmember Aburish moved approval of Item B.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Goeld and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
REPORTS
C. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Mr. Bryant noted: the report in the packet from the Environment and Open Space Committee; Heritage Tree Award nominations are open until March 23, 2025; the Recreation Committee has organized a family campout at Memorial Park; the History Committee will be helping out at the Woodside Fire Protection District's 100-year celebration that will take place on March 22, 2025.
Councilmember Goeld noted that Richard Mainz may have been the longest serving chair of a committee after Rowan MacNiven was elected the new chair of the Recreation Committee.
D. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 7
Docusign Envelope ID: F6624258-FFEF-44C1-9031-372A721691CD Councilmember Brown announced the Crime Prevention Workshop on March 20, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Independence Hall.
Councilmember Wall encouraged any interested high schoolers to attend an upcoming conference on April 19, 2025, hosted by the California Association of Youth Commissions.
Councilmember Goeld expressed appreciation for the special accommodation in starting the special meeting earlier on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Mayor Dombkowski announced the cancellation of the regular meeting of March 25, 2025.
COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dombkowski adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.
Duf At 2
lerk of the Town of Woodsid
APPROVED:
-Signed by:
Brian Vombkowski
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Mayor of the Town of Woodside
Town Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2025 Page 8