Steve Lubin for Woodside Town Council

Preserving the town’s rustic natural setting

As a kid, I roamed the Woodside landscape and immersed myself in the natural, rustic setting which the Town was established to protect. Much of this environment is still intact but we need visionary planning to preserve it while accommodating changes in the way we live. We should not be planning large dense housing projects on the Town’s periphery and on sensitive natural habitats as the current Council is doing.

Protecting our natural habitats and resources

The Town’s General Plan includes protection for special natural areas. Among these are portions of the once vast serpentine grassland with many rare and endangered species which was severed by the construction of I-280. This grassland includes several areas designated as open space in the General Plan. Kite Hill in the Glens, Flax Hill (the 22 acre “Wildflower Reserve” on the other side of I-280) and a one acre site adjacent to Barkley Fields. The Town pushed Caltrans to preserve the 22 acres after the construction of I-280. KIte Hill was preserved during the subdivision that now includes the Jane Drive extension and Lindenbrook Court. This subdivision approved while I was a Planning Commissioner, also included the dedication of the Joan Olson Open Space.

Contrary to the General Plan and deed restrictions, the one acre Town owned parcel next to Barkley Fields has been designated by the current Town Council as the site of 10 housing units. We should not sacrifice this important grassland.