Portola Valley Measure H supporters: Late push was not enough Portola Valley Measure H supporters: Late push was not enough (February 18, 2004)

** Opponents of rezoning out-raised supporters 2-to-1.

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

Backers of a rezoning plan to allow construction of 15 to 20 small homes in Portola Valley had a fundraising surge just before the November 4 election last year. But, ultimately, it was not enough. Town voters defeated the measure, 991 to 921.

Facing a seven-to-one disadvantage in fundraising -- and an unprecedented effort to overturn a unanimous Town Council zoning decision -- supporters of the rezoning, known as Measure H, narrowed the fundraising gap to about two-to-one in the two weeks before the November 4 election, said "Yes on H" committee treasurer Gary Nielsen.

The committee raised $11,135 in 2003 versus $23,558 raised by the measure's opponents, said Ellen Vernazza, treasurer for Portola Valley Citizens for Low Density Committee in Opposition to Measure H.

The site of the proposed rezoning -- 3.6 acres near the centrally located intersection of Alpine and Portola roads -- would have allowed 5.8 homes per acre at about $700,000 to $900,000 per home. The typical Portola Valley homes sits on a one-acre plot and sells for $1.6 million.

A group of residents, angry over a perceived threat to the town's rural character, gathered enough signatures to put the council's decision to a referendum, a step not previously taken in the town's 40-year history.

Residents in favor of the rezoning said the small homes would diversify the community's housing stock and attract young professionals and "empty nesters" wanting to stay in town but in smaller homes.

The finance reports show opponents of Measure H spending $12,214 after October 19, compared to the supporters' $5,212. During that same period, opponents raised $3,485 in cash compared to $8,260 for the other side.

Both campaigns received late in-kind gifts for printing services: $400 for the Yes on H campaign and $2,500 for the opponents -- a gift donated October 31, the weekend before the election and about the time a controversial full-color flier arrived in many Portola Valley mailboxes.

The flier showed unidentified townhouses later determined to be on the private campus of the Woodside Priory School. The text under the photo read: "Did you move to Portola Valley for this??? This is Portola Valley's first high density housing project[,] the product of town planning -- completed in August 2003."

Asked at the time why the homes weren't identified, campaign spokesman Steve Dunne said: "The insinuation is: 'Were you aware that this kind of density has been completed in August 2003?' Most people can infer that this has been built in Portola Valley."

The finance reports showed the opponents with a fund balance of zero after refunds of $1,616 to seven individuals. The supporters' report, dated January 30, shows unpaid bills of $2,060 and an ending balance of $572.
Supporters

The report lists the following contributors to Yes on H Committee between October 19 and December 31, 2003: Janice Aldag, $100; Kathleen Bennett, $100; James Boyce, $100; A. and Jeanelle Boucher, $100; George Comstock, $200; Kirke and Dottie Comstock, $200; Ed and Lynn Davis, $200; Ted and Susan Driscoll, $250; Phil and Jean Eastman, $100; Linda Elkind, $900; Wanda and Lance Ginner, $500; Ted and Susan Gould, $250; John and Patricia Hooper, $100; Craig Johnson, $200; Bill Lane, $500; Terilynn Langsev, $500; Howard Lewis, $100; Beverly Lipman, $100; Tor and Nancy Lund, $100; Chip McIntosh, $400 in-kind; Tony and Margaret Merz, $100; Morgridge Family Trust, $500; Lenore Roberts, $100; Gordon Russell, $100; Beth Shaw, $100; Geoff and Colleen Tate, $1,000; Steve and Janice Toben, $400; Ruth and Ken Wilcox, $200.
Opponents

The report lists the following contributors to the Portola Valley Citizens for Low Density Committee in Opposition to Measure H between October 19 and December 31, 2003: Terry Bell, $2,500 in-kind; Allen Bickell, $500; Bob Brown, $1,000; William Henderson, $100; Kurt Jaggers, $500; Holly Meyers, $200; Patricia Morgan, $200; Ron Wilson, $500.
INFORMATION

The Measure H finance reports are on file at the Portola Valley town offices at 765 Portola Road. For more information, call 851-1700 and contact Town Administrator Angela Howard (ext. 15) or Deputy Town Clerk Sharon Hanlon (ext. 10).

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