The Portola Valley Town Council may adopt new rules for construction along creeks following a public hearing on the topic on Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Historic Schoolhouse.
The hearing will be the first item of business at the 8 p.m. meeting. The council is required by law to hold hearings on amendments to zoning ordinances.
The new creek setback rules would apply to properties along Los Trancos, Corte Madera and Sausal creeks, and are the result of years of consideration by the Planning Commission and members of the public.
Among the goals of the rules: to keep new buildings safe from creek bank failure and flooding, to allow room for bank maintenance, to allow natural plant and animal life to thrive, and to reflect the town’s longstanding interest in healthy creeks.
The five-member Planning Commission unanimously approved the regulations on Oct. 17, with Commissioner Leah Zaffaroni recusing herself because she lives on a creek and Commissioner Nate McKitterick absent.
Also at the Nov. 14 council meeting, the council plans to discuss and may act on an analysis of traffic fees for construction vehicles, and on a resolution concerning the purchase of an open-space parcel that includes the Shady Trail.
Staff reports are available online at www.PortolaValley.net. Click on the “Town Government” and then the “Town Council” links.
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