Los Altos Hills council sends revised 'green sheets' initiative to committees, plans public input before deciding

Los Altos Hills — The council on May 14 agreed to refer a revised citizen initiative — informally known as the “green sheets” — to committees and the planning commission for review and public comment before deciding whether to place it on the November ballot.

City Attorney Steve Mattis summarized the draft initiative as two primary measures: clarifying rules for keeping animals on properties and amending the land‑use element to prohibit new industrial, large‑scale commercial, or retail uses (with exemptions for existing commercial uses and small home‑based businesses). Mattis also noted the County elections calendar and a practical deadline (early August) to place a council‑initiated measure on the November ballot.

Council discussion touched on the legal limits of a local measure, how a land‑use element amendment could be changed by future councils under state law, and concerns about unintended consequences for multifamily housing or energy projects. Some councilmembers and many residents supported the initiative as a way to preserve the town’s pathways, rural character and equestrian heritage; others urged more committee review and public polling.

By roll call, council directed staff to refer the revised draft to relevant committees and to the planning commission and to collect feedback by June 8 so the item could be revisited in the June council meeting. Staff estimated legal and processing costs (preliminary estimate: roughly $12,000–$20,000 in legal/consultant time plus County election costs if the council later places the measure on the ballot).