Planning director: public comment on draft safety element open through June 30; staff aims for August study sessions

The Portola Valley planning staff told the commission on June 17 that the draft safety element is posted for public review and comment and that the review period is open through June 30.

Planning Director Nicholas explained that the draft safety element has its own web page with an online comment form where residents can submit written comments or upload attachments. "There is a public review period that's open since May 29th and will go through June 30th," Nicholas said, urging use of the online form to keep submissions organized.

Nicholas outlined the next steps: after the public-review period ends staff will evaluate and consolidate comments, conduct follow-up meetings with town committees as needed, revise the draft, and return to the planning commission and town council for study sessions before sending the document for external agency review and final adoption. "My hope would be by August" to return for initial follow-up review, Nicholas said, but he cautioned that the overall adoption timeline could push later depending on comments and agency responses.

Commissioners asked whether state law imposes a strict deadline for updating the safety element and whether grant funding for projects might be contingent on completion. Nicholas said there is no hard state deadline for the safety element analogous to housing-element deadlines and staff was not aware of grant funding that would be contingent on completion. He also noted the town has a consultant under contract to help with the update and that staff and consultant time are factors in setting realistic dates.

Staff invited commissioners and residents to submit comments through the safety element web page prior to June 30; after agency review the commission and council will hold formal study sessions and a later adoption hearing.