Open Space panel weighs "green sheets" ballot move as deadline looms

The Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee spent a significant portion of its meeting weighing whether a proposed change to the town's foundational "green sheets" should go to voters. Jay, who updated the committee on council conversations, said council discussion could direct committees like this one to provide input and that timing is tight: "August 1, I believe, is the the formal deadline," he said.

The green sheets are a set of founding bylaws adopted when the town incorporated roughly 70 years ago; speakers reminded colleagues they address limits on commercial development, lot sizes and the contracting out of municipal services. One committee member summarized the concern: if council members were allowed to change those core rules by majority vote, the town's rural character could be altered without a public vote. Supporters argued a ballot requirement would make such changes harder to enact without broad community consent; opponents warned of the expense and logistical hurdles of a ballot measure.

Committee members agreed the June 18 council meeting and a near-term committee outreach effort would shape whether the issue reaches voters in November. Several members urged staff to prepare materials the committee can review before the June council meeting so the committee's recommendations, if any, can be timely.

The discussion was procedural rather than a formal vote or policy adoption; committee members asked staff to return with clarified calendar options and to coordinate with the town clerk and council on next steps.