Letters to the editor: Let’s fight for our ability to determine how dense we want our towns to be

Dear Editor,

A recent headline in the San Francisco Chronicle cited “density” as a reason for restudying that category of development as a major factor impacting the safety of dense dwellings not in typical cities but established rural areas like Portola Valley. This problem of density has been front and center in our community since the late 19th-century when Portola Valley Association was formed. My brother, Robert (Bob) Brown was chairman for many years with the responsibility of appearing before the San Mateo County Board of supervisors to lobby against frequent proposals to develop Portola Valley in increasingly dense ways.

After two tries Portola Valley was incorporated to bring the line of defense closer to home where it has prevailed pretty much until now. Now the state of California is attempting to mandate a very intrusive plan of increasing density, I would like to state one more time before anything final is done which would negate the natural solution: involve logic, continue nearby adjoining communities’ desire to enjoy their neighbor Portola Valley as it is now, continue the fire safety inherent in low-density development, establish safe evacuation from Portola Valley with more than three exits, retain the current nicely provided few gaps of open space, and continue the current ability to enjoy reasonable and affordable fire insurance.

Let’s regroup and fight for our ability to determine our own choice of density, not that of the state political “experts.”

Allan F. Brown

Goya Road, Portola Valley

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