Planning subcommittee votes to recommend pathways be codified into green sheets

The Los Altos Hills planning subcommittee voted to recommend that the town's pathway system be codified into the council's proposed "green sheets," a move members said would require voter approval to rescind pathway protections.

Chair (speaking as the subcommittee's mover) proposed that the group "would like to see the pathway system codified" into the draft green sheets and asked for a second; a member seconded the motion and the committee took a roll-call vote. Anna, Carol, Grace, Anne and Liz Wagner voted yes; the motion carried.

Members said codification would add a procedural layer so that council changes to the pathway system would require approval by town voters rather than a three-vote majority of council. Supporters said recent public turnout and testimony at the council and planning commission meetings showed strong community interest in preserving pathways and preventing unilateral removal.

Committee members asked staff to prepare suggested wording. The subcommittee agreed to forward the recommended language to council staff and the city clerk and to email packet materials to council contacts (Cody, Karen and Erica) so the recommendation could be included in upcoming council materials.

The subcommittee's action is advisory: it recommends that the council insert the pathway-system protection into the green-sheet language; final adoption and whether the item goes on the ballot will be decisions for the council and, if applicable, the voters.

The subcommittee adjourned after confirming next steps: staff will draft insertion language and circulate it to commission members before the council meeting where the green sheets will be considered.