This week's update:
- Draft Zoning Code and Zoning Map Amendments Available for Review
- Wildfire Preparedness Tip - Pile Burn Success at Jasper Ridge
- Update on Fuel Mitigation Ordinance No. 24-01 from The WFPD Fire Marshal
- Conservation Committee - What’s Blooming Now? March
- WFPD CA Home Insurance Update 2024
- Save the Date - Neighborhood Clean-Up Event
- Message from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District – Potential Preserve Closures April 2 – 19
- Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Preserve: Public Access Working Group Meeting 6 - Site Meeting
- Upcoming Events
Draft Zoning Code and Zoning Map Amendments Available for Review
The Town’s Housing Element was adopted by Town Council on January 23, 2024 and found in substantial compliance by the State Department of Housing and Community Development on January 30, 2024.
In order to meet HCD’s expectations and requirements, as expressed in the Housing Element, the Town must now adopt Zoning Code and Map Amendments necessary to implement the Housing Element. To view the draft amendments, click on the first drop down “Draft Zoning Code Amendments” here.
Together these amendments will facilitate the implementation of numerous Housing Element programs such as codifying the Affiliated Housing Program, and ensuring compliance with state legislation addressing group homes, emergency shelters, and reasonable accommodation procedures.
Critically, the Zoning Map Amendments serve to rezone several of the sites identified on the Element’s Adequate Sites inventory, which plots the Town’s plan to satisfy its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). The Town’s Adequate Sites programs requires the introduction of three new zoning classifications: A Mixed- Use zone and two Multi-Family zones reflecting two different densities. Along with establishing the new zones, the code amendments include proposed site development and design standards that govern how properties may be developed in the future.
The Planning Commission reviewed the draft Zoning Code and Zoning Map amendments at its March 20, 2024 meeting. Town Council will be the final decision-making body.
Tip from the Wildfire Preparedness Committee - Pile Burn Success at Jasper Ridge
As part of its Wildfire Management Plan, Stanford created shaded or complete fuel breaks inside the Jasper Ridge Preserve along the Westridge border. In areas where debris could not be chipped, they created piles. During March 4-8, 2024, piles were reduced to ash via a method of prescribed fire known as a pile burn. See Stanford’s description of the project here.
Sue Epstein’s house borders the Preserve and she nervously witnessed the burn from her patio. The weather, Stanford’s planning, the oversight of both WFPD and CAL FIRE, and the hard work of the professional burn crew resulted in little smoke and no unexpected incidents. Stanford will be issuing media and research about the burn, but in the meantime, please enjoy these photos by Sue Epstein and Dee Bailey. The Almanac has excellent aerial photos.
With climate change, we all need to view the vegetation around us differently and learn how to manage it to reduce wildfire risk while honoring the values that brought each of us to Portola Valley.
Want to follow Stanford’s lead but don’t know what to do? Schedule a Defensible Space Inspection with WFPD by emailing info@woodsidefire.org.
Update on Fuel Mitigation Ordinance No. 24-01 from The WFPD Fire Marshal
WFPD will be conducting the first reading of Ordinance No. 24-01 on March 26, 2024. After much discussion and concern raised by residents regarding Section 5 ( c ) Adjacent Parcels, as written and recommended by The State Fire Marshal’s Office, we have decided to remove it in its entirety. Since the ordinance has been amended, we are required to begin the adoption process from the beginning. After 30 days of public comment, the second reading and option to adopt will be held at the April 30th’s Fire Board Meeting. In addition, the Fire Marshall will be hosting a Fire Marshal’s Fire Safety Corner (Woodside April 11, Portola Valley April 18, Unincorporated SMC April 25). Please check our website for location: “Fire Marshal’s Fire Safety Corner” Preparedness/Education | Woodside FPD, CA (woodsidefire.org) .
On April 17th, the Town of Portola Valley Wildfire Preparedness Committee has been gracious again to allow me to use their meeting time to host a Presentation on Home Hardening along with an introduction to the Standard and Guideline on Defensible Space and Home Hardening (interpretation of Ordinance 24-01 for the Property Owner). Please check website for further details: Wildfire Preparedness Committee | Portola Valley, CA
For any questions or comments, please contact Fire Marshal Kimberly Giuliacci at kgiuliacci@woodsidefire.org
Conservation Committee What’s Blooming Now? March
Early Spring Wildflowers
We are rapidly moving into our glorious period of blooming local wildflowers. Most of these are not commercially available, but Hounds tongue seed is easy to collect – from your pants legs. Many have had excellent success expanding small patches by clearing any weeds around the bases of the plants they’d like to encourage. Weed-whacking around them works well on larger areas. A fun project for anyone who wants to see their hard-work blossom!!
WFPD CA Home Insurance Update 2024
CALIFORNIA HOME INSURANCE UPDATE - 2024
The following is an update on the California home insurance situation from the non-profit consumer organization, United Policyholders, (“UP”). UP is working hard to help California property owners stay insured and financially protected despite unprecedented availability and affordability challenges in the current marketplace.
Reducing wildfire risk is more important than ever for suburban and rural property owners. We believe the situation will eventually improve, but here’s where we are in the here and now.
Bottom line: As soon as you get a non-renewal notice, start shopping, and don’t go on rumors. Dig for options, be patient. Insurers are still in the CA market but with strict limits/quotas on how many policies they’ll sell in given areas. Your fallback is the Fair Plan, flawed as it may be, it’s coverage. If an insurance agent tells you that your only option is the Fair Plan, we recommend contacting at least one other agent who may lead you to other potential options.
Below you’ll find links to shopping guidance and updates on a few of our related workstreams:
Updated shopping tips: www.uphelp.org/buying-tips/updated-home-insurance-shopping-tips-2023/
What to do when you’ve been non-renewed: www.uphelp.org/droppedCA
Resources for reducing your wildfire risk and increasing your home’s insurability: www.uphelp.org/WRAP
Options through the California Fair Plan (CFP): www.uphelp.org/CFPNOTE: If your home meets the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home or Safer From Wildfires standards, you are eligible for a Fair Plan premium discount of up to 15%.
Big Picture: https://uphelp.org/bach-talk-an-insured-future-depends-on-bold-public-private-innovation/
Sacramento: While UP supports the California Insurance Commissioner’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy initiative, it is more imperative than ever that his agency have adequate resources to verify the accuracy of cost and claim projections and models in insurer rate filings to prevent excessive rates. https://uphelp.org/up-alerts-ca-legislators-to-proceed-with-caution-on-insurers-wish-list/
Save the Date - Neighborhood Clean-Up Event
Saturday, April 27, from 8 AM to 11 AM (no items accepted after 11 AM)
This event is free for Portola Valley residents - you will need to bring a copy of your GreenWaste garbage bill or the mailer insert as proof of residency. Hazardous materials are NOT accepted.
Message from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District – Potential Open Space Closures April 2 – 19
These Midpen preserves may be closed for one to four weekdays between April 2 - April 19, 2024.
Closures will not occur on a Saturday or Sunday.
- El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
- La Honda Open Space Preserve
- Los Trancos Open Space Preserve
- Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
- Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
- Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
- Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
- Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
We anticipate only one preserve will be closed at a time.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is partnering with the University of Santa Cruz California Puma Project on a five-year study to better understand factors that influence human-mountain lion interactions and to develop a science-based management plan to help people and mountain lions safely coexist. The preserves may be closed on short notice so that this research may be conducted safely.
Visit openspace.org/puma-research for more information and to sign up to receive updates and notifications.
Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Preserve: Public Access Working Group Meeting 6 - Site Meeting
Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Midpen is continuing a multiyear process to develop a plan for natural resource management and ecologically-sensitive public access at the Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, a 79-acre property located within the town of Portola Valley.
The main objective of the 4-hour Public Access Working Group (PAWG) site meeting is to review the concept design discussed during PAWG Meeting 5 at 4 locations on site, and to gather feedback from the public. If you’re interested in joining this site meeting, please be sure to complete the RSVP form no later than 5 pm on March 21. Please plan to arrive by 8:45 am to allow time for parking and walking to the first meeting location. Please note that we won't be able to accommodate those who arrive late. As the Hawthorns Area is currently closed to the public, the gate will be closed at 9:10 am and remain shut for the duration of the site meeting.
Use the address 4411 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 to navigate to the property entrance gate. Kindly adhere to the signage and guidance provided by District staff to arrive at the designed parking area. For more information, please refer to the Site Tour Instructions document enclosed in the packet in the meeting agenda.
For more information, visit openspace.org/hawthorns
Staff contacts: Ashley Mac, Planner III (amac@openspace.org) and Tina Hugg, Senior Planner (thugg@openspace.org) or 650-691-1200.
Instructions on how to attend and share your comments are available in the meeting agenda.
Upcoming Town Events
Councilmember Hufty Office Hours
Councilmember Hufty holds office hours in the Heritage Room every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 10 AM to 12 PM.
Every Thursday 2-5:30 PM - Farmers Market
The Portola Valley Farmers Market will be held rain or shine. The market is open from 2 - 5:30 PM each Thursday.
Volunteer Appreciation Party April 19th
The Town of Portola Valley is celebrating our dedicated volunteers. April 19th Community Hall. Volunteers, look for your invite in the mail.
Neighborhood Cleanup Day April 27th
Get ready for the next Neighborhood Clean-Up Day! April 27,2024 8am -11am. Free to Portola Valley Residents, bring a copy of your GreenWaste garbage bill or the mailer insert as proof of residency.