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Portola Valley calls community meeting on affordable housing

by Dave Boyce

What should be done in Portola Valley to bring the town into compliance with state laws requiring communities to have housing that is affordable to people of moderate incomes? The town government is inviting residents to the Community Hall at Town Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, for an informal and moderated discussion of this issue.

Town Center is at 765 Portola Road in Portola Valley.

The town is negotiating to purchase 1.68 acres at 900 Portola Road, the former home of Al's Nursery, with plans for about eight homes there that would fulfill some of its affordable housing obligations. Former councilman and experienced mediator Steve Toben is set to moderate the discussion.

The town's general plan includes a chapter on housing that discusses in some detail the housing situation in town and the applicable regulations. The town recommends that anyone planning to attend the Wednesday discussion prepare by reading the housing "element" of the general plan.

Go to tinyurl.com/PVhousing.

Town staff is preparing a webpage on Portola Valley's affordable housing efforts "to serve as a resource for those who are interested in learning more about the issue," Town Manager Nick Pegueros said in a staff report. The webpage should be ready late this week, he said.

The town is planning to finance the purchase of the former nursery site through the sale of two parcels designated for affordable housing in the Blue Oaks neighborhood. Town representatives will be available at the meeting to answer questions about this proposed land swap.

The invitation asks that residents "Please come to learn the facts about affordable housing in Portola Valley and what is being considered, to listen to others' opinions, and to share your own thoughts and ideas."