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Saying it needs more time, Portola Valley opts to submit revised housing element late

Original post made on Jan 31, 2023

With under a week until the deadline for a compliant housing element, and facing possible fines and other repercussions, the Portola Valley town staff announced they won't submit the plan to the state next week.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, January 27, 2023, 10:35 AM

Comments (3)

Posted by Joseph E. Davis
a resident of Woodside: Emerald Hills
on Jan 31, 2023 at 9:03 am

Joseph E. Davis is a registered user.

So, after February 1, any developer can propose whatever project they want, such as a high rise in the center of Westridge, and there will be nothing Portola Valley can do to stop it, as long as it meets 20% affordability requirements. Congratulations to the town council; great job everyone.


Posted by Liesel
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Jan 31, 2023 at 12:34 pm

Liesel is a registered user.

This delay is the result of the previous Town Council's refusal to consider input from the Woodside Fire Protection District on the Town's draft Housing Element. PV is in the WUI, and has only two ways in and out - Portola RD and Alpine Rd. In addition, it sits on the San Andreas fault. Evacuating PV (in case of wildfire or quake) would be similar to evacuating Paradise. Given this, town residents asked to have WFPD comment on the plan and to be able to ask questions of them about ways to fine tune the plan as it relates to safety concerns. That is just happening now. This delay could have been avoided if the previous TC had listened to all the Town residents rather than just those that agreed with them. So yes Joseph, congratulations for this delay are due - to the PREVIOUS Town Council.


Posted by Liesel
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Jan 31, 2023 at 12:35 pm

Liesel is a registered user.


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