Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town continues housing element hearing after state seeks ADU changes affecting hundreds of parcels
Summary
Staff said California’s HCD requested a substantive change to the town’s ADU rules that could affect roughly 450–500 parcels; the council continued the Cycle 6 housing element public hearing to July 23 so staff can analyze impacts and provide more information to the public.
Woodside’s Town Council on July 9 continued a public hearing on the Cycle 6 housing element after staff told the council that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) had asked for a substantive modification to the town’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) program. Kevin Bridal, the town manager, told the council the requested change would allow more ADUs on properties larger than one acre in the suburban residential district and that staff estimates the change could affect “on the order of 450 to 500 parcels.”
The continuance was requested so staff can analyze the policy change, assess impacts and prepare materials for council and public review before the council takes action. Bridal said staff and the planning team are already working on the analysis and will include it when the item returns on July 23. He described the communication from HCD as substantive and said HCD has been clear that the housing element and related zoning should be submitted together.
The continuation prompted a lengthy debate among council members about whether the town has provided sufficient opportunities for public hearings and transparency during the housing element process. One council member said the town had not held enough hearings in the last 18 months and urged separate, item‑specific hearings rather than bundling multiple complex matters into a single meeting. Council Member Shaw and other council members said the housing element process has been ongoing and iterative, with many public meetings over the past year but acknowledged the state’s recent request was significant and required further staff work.
Bridal and the town attorney said the staff decided to bring the whole package to the council so the town can respond to the state’s enforcement letter and avoid further delay. Staff emphasized that bringing the full package allows the council to act and that each component could be acted on separately if the council chooses.
The council set July 23, 2024, as the date to resume the public hearing so staff can present its analysis of HCD’s requested ADU modifications, potential zoning changes, and related environmental and procedural implications.
