Docusign Envelope ID: C46CE42B-50B8-8C9C-809C-C6EOFF7C67E6
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
IOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES May 12,2026
Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside 7:00 p.m.
Councilmember Jennifer Wall's Teleconference Location: The Godfrey Detroit Curio Collection at 1401 Michigan Avenue, Conference Room, Detroit, MI 48216
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dombkowski called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski Staff Present:
Melissa Cardinale, Acting Town Manager
Jean Savaree, Town Attorney
Sage Schaan, Planning Director
Louis Sun, Town Engineer/Public Works Director
Corie Stocker-Pedalino, Administrative Services Director Sarah Filipe, Associate Planner
Melanie Olson, Associate Planner
Keigo Yamamoto, Assistant Planner
Jennifer Li, Town Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Aburish led the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
Bree-Anna Vail, resident, urged Council to solve the issue of "Tiktokers" (.e., people who film themselves) riding dirt bikes through the woods, destroying the environment, and scaring all the wildlife.
Staff stated: the photographs submitted by Ms. Vail show vehicles parked on Kings Mountain Road in San Mateo County's jurisdiction; staff will work with the County on perhaps installing "No Parking" signs along that stretch.
PRESENTATION
Ms. Olson presented the Historic Preservation Award and recent activities of the History Committee.
Town Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 1
Docusign Envelope ID: C46CE42B-50B8-8C9C-809C-C6E0FF7C67E6 Thalia Lubin, History Committee, thanked staff and the Council for their support.
Mayor Dombkowski proclaimed May 17-23, 2026, National Public Works Week.
Mr. Sun recognized the Public Works staff present tonight, and stated that last Friday, Maintenance Supervisor Ignacio Hernandez received an Operation and Maintenance Person of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA).
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Register of Demands Against the Town of Woodside from April 16 through 30, 2026.
2. Resolution Proclaiming May 2026 as National History Month and Update on the Woodside History Committee's Activities.
Resolution No. 2026 - 7820
3. Approval of Minutes: Special and Regular Meetings of January 27, 2026, and Regular Meeting of February 10, 2026.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, and 3.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Aburish and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution Approving Out-of-Class/Acting Pay for Acting Town Manager.
Resolution No. 2026 - 7821
Ms. Stocker-Pedalino presented the staff report.
The Public Comment period opened and closed at 7:15 p.m.
Councilmember Goeld commended Ms. Cardinale for ensuring the Town is running smoothly under adverse circumstances.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of Item A.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski Town Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 2
Docusign Envelope ID: C46CE42B-50B8-8CSC-809C-C6E0FF7C67E6 NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARING
B. 10 Still Creek Road (APN 075-020-100): Appeal (APPL2025-0002) of Planning Commission's Denial of Front-and-Side-yard Setback Exception (XSET2025-0001) to construct a new main residence with an attached garage, Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU), one attached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU); a second Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that is detached from the main residence; and, associated project site improvements on a vacant lot located at 10 Still Creek Road. The proposed project requires a Setback Exception because the main residence's attached garage, JADU, and attached ADU are proposed to be located within the required 50-foot front and side yard setbacks.
On appeal the Town Council will also consider Formal Design of the Project (ASRB2025- 0017) and a Maximum Residence Size Exception (XMAX2025-0010).
The project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15303(a), which includes a single-family residence; Section 15303(b), which includes residential structures totaling no more than four dwelling units or more than six dwelling units in urbanized areas; Section 15303(e), which includes accessory structures; and Public Resources Code Section 21080, which applies to ministerial approvals.
Resolution No. 2026 - 7822
Mr. Schaan presented the staff report.
Council and staff discussion included: the Woodside Fire Protection District has not provided a risk assessment; however, they have been involved in the review of the project, including evaluation of tree removals; the applicants have a Vegetation Management Plan; this project is not covered under the Housing Accountability Act because it requires some Exceptions; the applicant provided Setback Exception findings, and staff focused on the Town's findings.
Presentation by the Appellant
Jim Baranski, project architect, spoke of why they designed the house and responded to the comments made by Mr. French.
Charles Kissick, Sigma Prime Geosciences, spoke of the project and the site's stability.
Ryan Patterson, attorney for project applicants, explained why the Town is required to approve the project as proposed with the Exceptions.
Christin New, property owner, spoke of their purpose to propose the project.
Town Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 3
Docusign Envelope ID: C46CE42B-50B8-8C9C-809C-C6E0FF7C67E6 David Mittelman, property owner, spoke of: abiding by the Town's core values; his commitment to service and action; how this project would support the Housing Element.
Questions for Appellant
In response to Council's clarifying question about setbacks for ADUs, Mr. Patterson stated: the Town cannot require greater than four-foot setbacks per State ADU laws; the Setback Exception should not apply at all for ADUs.
In response to Council's question about the estimated cost to push the structure back 50 feet, Mr. Baranski stated: there will be multiple tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention trees they would lose forever and destroying parts of the site they would prefer to preserve.
Charles Kissick added: 14-foot retaining walls would add $250,000 to the project.
The Public Comment period opened at 8:23 p.m.
Members of the public who expressed support for the project included:
• Jordan Grimes, Peninsula for Everyone;
• Jeffrey Popell, Miramontes Road; and,
• Caroline New.
Members of the public who urged Council to deny the project included:
• Bruce and Patricial Bastl, Sunrise Drive;
• Joan and Hans Mehn, Still Creek Road;
• Adam French;
• Terry Braunstein, Sunrise Drive;
• Arthur Muir, Skywood Way;
• Keith Parker, WUl fire expert and Founder of Fire Park Services Consulting; • Zhendi Su and Aaron Emigh, Still Creek Road;
• Roy Kopperud, Still Creek Road, read for Simon Klemperer, Still Creek Road; • Alex Tauber, Ranch Road; and,
• Carolina Blake, Ranch Road.
In response to Council's question about the project as a public safety risk, Mr. Parker stated: the key is to stop adding to the problem; this project may cause blocked roads as there is too much proposed for a small area; downsizing can mitigate the fire risk.
In response to Council's question about turning Still Creek Road into a public road, Ms. Savaree stated: there's a Road Maintenance Agreement from the 1970s; if the homeowners do not maintain, the Town could encourage and enforce based on the original subdivision; Mr.
Mittelman has made that request; however, staff would not recommend that.
Town Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 4
Docusign Envelope ID: C46CE42B-50B8-8C9C-809C-C6E0FF7C67E6 Ms. New added: Mr. Mittelman brought the proposal to the Town with support from neighbors; Still Creek Road has an access point to Wunderlich County Park and for Stanford Linear Accelerator Center lines; it was a covenant that was dissolved by 45 Still Creek Road, and there is no longer a Road Maintenance Agreement or covenant.
Ms. Savaree disagreed; there were some CC&Rs that were rescinded years ago, and say that Road Maintenance Agreement remain in place.
Mr. Emigh concurred that the Road Maintenance Agreement was not dissolved.
The Public Comment period closed at 9:21 p.m.
Final Statement and Rebuttal from Appellant
Mr. Patterson spoke of: the fire issue; the State has forbid using High-Fire Severity Zones as a reason to restrict ADUs; the Setback Exception does not increase fire risk.
Mr. Kissick stated: the additional 1,600 cubic yards of off-haul would be $200,000-$350,000, and additional 200 truck trips; Dr. Klemperer incorrectly stated that there was a fault line through the site.
Mr. Baranski explained why Mr. French's suggested alternative design would not be feasible.
Mr. Mittelman stated: none of the houses in Skywood Acres were built to Building Code Chapter 7A standards; CA amended the Civil Code in 2019 which says, in absence of the Road Maintenance Agreement, each property owner is responsible for their portion; 105 Sunrise, 7 and 45 Still Creek Road do not have a recorded easement; the Town needs to maintain the conservation easement.
Council agreed that this needs to be a fair process, and Council has not had a chance to review the voluminous materials submitted.
Councilmember Goeld moved to continue the item to a date certain of May 26, 2026, beginning with deliberations (no public comments), and accepting additional written comments until May 19, 2026.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
REPORTS
C. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Town Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 5
Docusign Envelope ID: C46CE42B-50B8-8C9C-809C-C6E0FF7C67E6 None
D. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
None
COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dombkowski adjourned the meeting at 9:44 p.m.
Clerk of the Town of Woodside
APPROVED:
Signed by:
Brian Dombkowski
H0E32E22Đ0F490.
Mayor of the Town of Woodside
Town Council Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 6