This week's update:
- Town Council Summary - March 8, 2023
- Planning Commission forwards Draft Housing Element to Town Council
- March 23 - Community Gathering with the Sheriff's Office
- Public Service Announcement: Looking to Build a Fence in Portola Valley?
- New Pickleball Nets
- Spring Classes Open for Registration
- Wildfire Preparedness Committee Tip - Being Ready not Lucky; Wildfire Preparedness Fair
- Sustainability Committee Tip - Induction Cooktop Loaner at PV Library
- What’s Blooming Now? Currants and Gooseberries
- Upcoming Events
Town Council Summary - March 8, 2023
The summary for the March 8, 2023 Town Council meeting is now available. The Town Council held a study session with Assemblyman Marc Berman and discussed the Council Priorities for next year
Planning Commission forwards Recommended Draft Housing Element to Town Council
At their meeting on March 6th, the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to pass a resolution recommending that the Town Council adopt the Housing Element and Conforming General Plan Amendments. The Housing Element Draft #3 released March 2nd includes revisions made to address comments from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and Planning Commission. The Planning Commission Agenda Packet from 3-6-23 includes a staff report and links to other relevant information.
Recording of Commission Meeting and key timestamps:
- Questions from Commission- 45:00
- Public Comment- 2:06
- Commission Discussion- 3:00
Upcoming Schedule:
- March 15th – Town Council Study session on Housing Element
- March 22nd – Town Council Public Hearing to consider adopting the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. Technical Consultants will be available to answer questions.
- March 29th – Town Council Public Hearing to consider adopting the Housing Element and Conforming General Plan Amendments
More information is available at www.portolavalley.net/housing
Public comments can be sent to housing@portolavalley.net
Community Gathering with the Sheriff's Office
Thursday, March 23, 5:30-7 PM
The community is invited to an event with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s to meet members of the local public safety team and hear about how you can keep your home safer from burglaries. Time will be available for questions and conversation.
Public Service Announcement: Looking to Build a Fence in Portola Valley?
In 2005, Portola Valley Town Council reviewed and approved the town’s current fencing ordinance. This ordinance establishes guidelines for how fencing can be used to satisfy resident’s values of safety and privacy while also upholding the rural and natural open space tradition of Portola Valley. The foundation of the ordinance is to respect the movement of native wildlife and scenic views. The fencing ordinance and regulation summary can be found here.
No two fences are alike, and factors such as location, length, height, existing fencing, and design can determine the approval process, feasibility or even if a permit is needed. For instance, large opaque fences at property lines can limit wildlife movement or disrupt the open space ambiance of the town and may not be approved. Town staff and the Town’s Architectural Site Control Commission are responsible for the intake, review, and approval process.
If you are looking to build fencing on your property, please contact the Portola Valley Building and Planning Department. Free general consultation can be provided at Town Hall during Walk-In Planning and Building counter hours from 8am-12pm or they can be contacted virtually through planbuild@portolavalley.net.
New Pickleball Nets
The Parks and Recreation Committee Unboxed the new rolling pickleball nets last week. Cake and inaugural games were played to celebrate the occasion.
Spring Classes Open for Registration
Registration for the Spring Community Classes are now available for residents. Class registration for non-residents open on March 21st. View the Spring Catalog here.
Wildfire Preparedness Committee Tip - Being Ready not Lucky; Wildfire Preparedness Fair
The Wildfire Preparedness Committee has created a series of tips to help the community prepare for wildfire season. You can see the current tip and download any past tips on the website.
Sustainability Committee Tip - Induction Cooktop Loaner at PV Library
The Sustainability Committee provides a series of tips to help plan your personal and household sustainability goals. Go to the Sustainability Tip page for current and past tips. This tip provides information about induction cooktops for your home.
What’s Blooming Now?
Currants and Gooseberries - Ribes spp.
Early spring blooming shrubs are such a treat, and among the best of these are the currants and gooseberries, both members of the genus Ribes. There are about 150 species, many of which have been cultivated and do well in the home landscape. Many of these, such as Ribes menziesii, aureum and malvaceum, (shown aboveare native to our specific area and can be found in local parks and the Town Center Native Plant garden.
Drought-tolerant and hardy, these shrubs range in size from 4-5 feet in height to up to 15 feet. There are Ribes that do well in sandy or clay soil, full sun to half shade. Their beautiful foliage, fall berries and winter blooms make these truly multi-season shrubs that can replace any traditional landscaping plant.
Most currants and gooseberries are deciduous and some lose their leaves in the summer, so be sure to choose one that will be leafed out in the season that you want it to be, and beware of thorns – some are quite well-armed.
Check with your local nursery for help finding the appropriate variety for your specific needs.
Did you know?
- Gooseberries have thorns and currants do not
- The Ribena blackcurrant cordial is named after the genus
- The berries are edible – some are good but others are best left for the wildlife.
- These currants are not the type used in cooking (Zante currants are a type of grape)
The wildlife value of these plants is very high
- The nectar feeds many insects and pollinators
- The berries provide food for many native insects, birds and mammals
- The shrub itself provides cover and protection
Upcoming Town Events
Every Thursday 2-6 PM - Farmers Market
The Portola Valley Farmers Market will be held rain or shine. The market is open from 2 - 6 PM each Thursday.
4th Tuesday of the Month, 4 PM General Plan Discussion Group
A citizen-formed General Plan Discussion Group that will utilize Town resources to provide educational opportunities and increase awareness and inclusiveness for residents to learn more about the General Plan. The Discussion Group will be every 4th Tuesday in the Buckeye Room The meeting will be limited to 90 minutes.
March 23, 5:30 PM - Community Gathering with the Sheriff's Office
The community is invited to an event with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s to meet members of the local public safety team and hear about how you can keep your home safer from burglaries. Time will be available for questions and conversation. The event will be in the Community Hall
March 26- Broom Pull
New Date - Please join the Portola Valley Conservation Committee, community volunteers, and Scout troops for the Annual Broom Pull. Spend a couple of hours pulling this invasive weed from public lands and rights-of-way.
April 22, 10 AM Portola Valley Wildfire Preparedness Fair
Learn how to protect your home during the upcoming wildfire season. The Fair will be at Town Center from 10 am - 2 pm.
April 29, 8 AM Neighborhood Cleanup Day
This event is free for Portola Valley residents - you will need to bring a copy of your GreenWaste garbage bill or the mailer insert as proof of residency.
Credits:
Created with an image by photopixel - "Woman select function on Induction stove" • Thomas Geisler " Fence" • Patty Dewes "Pickleball nets unboxing event photos" • Kari Chinn "Historic Schoolhouse", "Redwood Grove", "Town Picnic tables on a winter morning", "Town Center"