Multi-family zoning in Woodside?

The Woodside Planning Commission on Dec. 3 dealt with a topic with potential to be controversial — multi-family zoning in a town zoned for single-family homes. But voices did not rise. Positions were taken, but in measured tones.

By a unanimous vote, the commission recommended that the Town Council establish a multi-family zone on parts of the Canada College campus in Woodside. Such a zoning amendment would implement an affordable housing policy set forth in the town’s 2012 general plan, Planning Director Jackie Young said in a staff report.

The state requires communities to zone for multi-family housing — not to build it, but to zone for it. In towns zoned for single-family housing, school campuses often function as relief valves.

College officials say there are no current plans for such housing at the campus, but this zoning amendment would give Woodside credit toward its state-mandated affordable housing goals.

In 2008, Woodside received significant credits from the state Department of Housing and Community Development when it de-annexed a 3.8-acre notch of Canada’s campus and gave it to Redwood City. That notch became the site of below-market rental housing for faculty and staff of the San Mateo County Community College District.

That housing, called Canada Vista, has worked as planned, giving its residents a way to save for a home, Ms. Young said. So far, 28 college district employees who had resided in the rental housing have bought homes, she said. The district has advantages in that it owns the land and, as a government agency, is exempt from property taxes, she said.

The Woodside Town Council involved itself in the housing project. The college district had proposed three-story buildings. A subcommittee, made up of architect Peter Mason, general contractor Dave Tanner and attorney Ron Romines, volunteered to rescale the project. The resulting two-story buildings were less visible from the road and had larger setbacks and more landscaping and garage space, the college district said.

Woodside concerns

The Dec. 3 recommendation to the Town Council by the Planning Commission has loose ends. Planning staff will be looking at exactly where on the campus additional multi-family housing might go, who should live there, and whether multi-family development rights should transfer to a new owner.

Concerns came from residents of Somerset Place, a cul de sac along Canada Road and adjacent to the campus. They asked the commission to exclude from rezoning the undeveloped hillside and hilltop behind their homes.

“The reason we moved into this area is because of the rural element,” said Russell Baze. An apartment complex “would just spoil most of the reason we live in Woodside,” he said.

“We have a beautiful view up a hill,” said Christopher Canellos. Reflected light at night is already an issue, he said, and the land is valuable natural habitat. New apartments would strain the town’s resources, he said. “Please, please help us here and keep Woodside the kind of town that we love.”

The commission sounded agreeable to residents’ concerns.

Ms. Young took pains to note that the policy simply establishes campus zoning. It is not a proposal for multi-family housing, nor is the college planning any such housing.

Barbara Christensen, representing the college district, confirmed that the statement. The district has no plans to sell the land and “absolutely no interest in anything except buildings within the inner core of the campus,” she said.

Canada College is set to get about $70 million for construction, its share of a bond measure that voters approved in November that makes up to $388 million available to the district.

Plans for Canada College include a $40 million new classroom building for science, engineering and math classes; $15 million to remodel two buildings built in 1968; $3 million to $5 million for paving and a new phone system; and $5 million for renewable and sustainable energy projects.