Conservation committee backs Open Space Committee letter opposing Midpen Hawthornes parking plan, urges legal review and acquisition options

The Portola Valley Conservation Committee voted to support an Open Space Committee letter opposing the Midpen (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District) Hawthornes area plan, saying the draft plan’s parking proposals and grading would harm public safety, scenic corridors and conservation values.

Nona, speaking for the Open Space Committee summary, told members the group’s objections fall into three categories: entrances and egress onto Alpine and Portola roads present safety risks for pedestrians and fast downhill cyclists; the proposed grading and parking footprint would intrude on the town’s scenic corridor and visible hillside; and the plan raises potential conflicts with the property’s conservation easement, which restricts tree removal, excavation and other landscape alterations. “Part of it would be within the scenic setback,” Nona said, and the committee noted the conservation easement restricts grading and tree cutting except in narrowly defined circumstances.

Committee members discussed the scale of the proposed parking — initial phases shown as about 21–25 spaces, potentially expanding to 50 over time — and raised concerns that a larger lot would attract overflow parking and out‑of‑town trail users. Members also highlighted the property’s historic elements, noting a garage structure that an expert identified as likely designed by Julian Morgan in 1918, and discussed whether the town should consider acquisition if Midpen cannot steward the parcel in keeping with donor intent.

Town Manager Darcy Smith reminded members the town has open‑space fund resources and explained that the open‑space fund balance is sizeable; she said the committee should direct recommendations to staff for analysis. "We have an open space fund balance that's over $10 million," she said as part of the discussion on funding options.

After discussion, the Conservation Committee moved, seconded and voted to go on record supporting the Open Space Committee’s letter and to encourage staff to explore legal review and acquisition options as appropriate. Members stressed members should speak as private residents at Midpen’s public meeting and that formal committee positions be transmitted through staff and council processes as needed.