Los Altos Hills meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Los Altos Hills: No decisions in past two weeks; large subdivision proposals and new home hearing ahead

In the past two weeks, Los Altos Hills boards and committees held informational sessions and canceled meetings, but no decisions were made. The most significant items on the horizon are a public hearing on a new home at 26790 Taaffe Road and two large subdivision proposals at 28001 Elena Road, which were presented for public comment but not acted upon.

Recent meetings

Planning Commission (Aug. 10) – The Subdivision Committee held informational meetings on two tentative map applications for the same property at 28001 Elena Road (APN 182-02-016). One application (File #TM26-0005) proposes a 12-lot subdivision with 11 residential units; the other (File #TM26-0006) proposes a 119-lot subdivision with 118 residential units. Both are in R-A zoning. No action was taken; the purpose was to present the applications and receive public comment.

Fast Track/Site Development (Aug 11) — A public hearing was held to consider a Site Development Permit for a 1,037-square-foot addition to a single-family home at 14210 Berry Hill Court (File #SD25-0067). No decision was recorded.

Environmental Design & Protection Committee (Aug 11) — The meeting was canceled.

Open Space Committee (Aug 12) — The meeting was canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

History Committee (Aug 18) — The committee discussed updates on historical sites, including the Heritage House moving-in process and ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Martha Lynn Water Tower, signage for Heritage Oak Trees in Byrne Preserve, and a DeAnza 1776 Reenactment Ride Plaque update. They also reviewed old business items such as digital archival needs, a General Plan update, and a fall presentation, and considered approving draft minutes from 2025 and 2026 meetings. No decisions were recorded.

Upcoming Meetings

Pathways Committee (Aug 24) — The committee will review and approve minutes, hear staff updates on pathway projects (Summerhill Avenue, Magdalena Avenue, Altamont-Moody to Corbetta Lane, Old Page Mill Road to Christopher Lane), and discuss 14 property applications, including SD25-0028 / 13470 Robleda Road, SD26-0004 / 27200 Deer Springs Way, and SD25-0048 / 12625 Viscaino Court. They will also discuss De Anza Trail signage, Byrne Preserve signage for bikes/e-bikes and dogs on leash, and Rhus Ridge Road and Bassitt Lane.

Parks, Recreation, & Community Events Committee (Aug 24) — The committee will review draft minutes from July 27, debrief the August 7 Movie Night, and plan upcoming events: the September 5 Hoe Down (volunteers needed), October 17 Game Night, and December 6 Barn Lighting. They will also discuss ideas for Heritage House use. The agenda is routine planning with no major decisions or financial items listed.

Fast Track/Site Development (Aug 25) — A public hearing will consider a Site Development Permit for 26790 Taaffe Road (File #SD25-0044). The project involves demolishing an existing 5,869 sq ft two-story home and building a new 6,257 sq ft two-story home, plus a 727 sq ft detached garage, an 812 sq ft swimming pool, a 206 sq ft pool cabana, and driveway changes. It also includes removal of 19 non-heritage oak trees. The project is categorically exempt from CEQA per Section 15303(a). The hearing will be held at the Duxbury Conference Room, 26379 Fremont Road, or via Zoom.

Environmental Initiatives Committee (Aug 27) — The committee will approve minutes, elect officers, and discuss a town car-rental policy. Subcommittees will provide updates on outreach, Foothill College, and electrification tracking, plus a council update and a picnic recap.

Coming up

• **Aug 24** – Pathways Committee (in person and Zoom)
• **Aug 24** – Parks, Recreation, & Community Events Committee
• **Aug 25** – Fast Track/Site Development public hearing on 26790 Taaffe Road
• **Aug 27** – Environmental Initiatives Committee
• **Sept 9** – Open Space Committee (next regular meeting)

All meetings are open to the public; check the town website for agendas and Zoom links.

Los Altos Hills committees review fees, wildfire safety, and large subdivisions

Los Altos Hills held several committee meetings and public hearings over the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are reported. The agendas included a review of development fees, wildfire safety measures, and a large residential project. Upcoming meetings will consider two large subdivision proposals at 28001 Elena Road.

Finance and Investment Committee

The committee met July 27 to review a council-directed final development and engineering fee schedule, a draft purchasing policy, and an investment performance report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. It also approved minutes from three prior meetings and elected officers. No decisions are reported because minutes are not yet available.

Parks, Recreation, and Community Events

At its July 27 meeting, the committee discussed volunteers and logistics for upcoming town events, including Movie Night on August 7, Hoe Down on September 5, Pet a Pony Day on October 4, Game Night on October 17, and Barn Lighting on December 6. Minutes are pending.

Fast Track/Site Development

A public hearing was held July 28 for a site development permit at 13920 Mirou Drive (File #SD26-0007) for an 881-square-foot swimming pool with attached spa and hardscape improvements. The August 4 hearing was canceled with no items considered.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

The committee met August 4 to discuss a resolution for recovering weed abatement costs as special assessments, the town's WUI (wildland-urban interface) designation in current ordinances, grant funding for mass notification, and a budget request for a LAHEG repeater upgrade. It also discussed defensible space and the Open Space Ordinance. No decisions are reported.

Environmental Design and Protection

Also on August 4, the committee reviewed defensible space maintenance rules for open space areas (Title 4, Chapter 2), field trip reports for 14467 De Bell Road, 27200 Deer Springs Way, and a Black Mountain Rd volleyball court, and updates on subgroup projects. It discussed the Heritage House Renovation opening August 19 at 3 p.m., a Native Plant Garden restoration with a $25,000 allocation for weed control and irrigation, and draft guidelines on planting under oaks. Minutes are not yet published.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission held a public hearing August 6 for a residential project on unaddressed La Barranca Road: a 4,584-square-foot home, a 793-square-foot ADU, and a 999-square-foot SB 9 unit. It also held study sessions on a conceptual security gatehouse and parking at 26790 Arastradero Road, Housing Element Program A-6 (Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fee Program), Program E-11 (incentives for extremely low-income housing), and the administrative variance process for electrical equipment. The commission reorganized and swore in two members.

Cancellations

The Pathways Committee meeting scheduled for July 27 was canceled. The Finance and Investment Committee canceled its July 6 and August 3 meetings, with a special meeting held July 27. The Environmental Design and Protection Committee canceled its August 11 meeting. The August 4 Site Development hearing was also canceled.

Coming up

• **Planning Commission – Subdivision Committee** (August 10): Informational meetings on two tentative map applications for 28001 Elena Road (APN 182-02-016). File #TM26-0005 proposes a 12-lot subdivision with 11 residential units; File #TM26-0006 proposes a 119-lot subdivision with 118 residential units. No decisions will be made; public comment is invited.
• **Fast Track/Site Development** (August 11): Public hearing for a 1,037-square-foot addition at 14210 Berry Hill Court (File #SD25-0067).
• **Environmental Design and Protection** (August 11): Meeting canceled.

All meetings are open to the public. Participation instructions are provided on the town's website.

Los Altos Hills Committees Review Fees, Events, and Permits; Several Meetings Canceled

Most Los Altos Hills advisory bodies met in the past two weeks, but with minutes not yet published for any recent meeting, no formal decisions can be confirmed from the available record. Agendas show committees were scheduled to weigh in on development fees, community events, and a site development permit for a swimming pool on Mirou Drive.

Finance & Investment Committee Reviews Fee Schedule

The Finance and Investment Committee met July 27 as a special meeting after canceling its July 6 and August 3 regular sessions. The agenda called for review of a council-directed final development and engineering fee schedule, a draft purchasing policy, and an investment performance report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, prepared by PFM. The committee was also scheduled to approve draft minutes from its May 4, May 11, and June 1 meetings and elect officers. No minutes have been published, so outcomes are not yet available.

Public Hearing Scheduled for Mirou Drive Pool Project

A Fast Track/Site Development hearing was set for July 28 to consider a Site Development Permit for 13920 Mirou Drive (File #SD26-0007). The request involves an 881-square-foot swimming pool with an attached spa and hardscape improvements at a single-family residence. Minutes have not been published.

Parks Committee Coordinates Community Events

The Parks, Recreation, & Community Events Committee met July 27 to plan volunteers and logistics for several upcoming town events. Items on the agenda included Movie Night on August 7, a Hoe Down on September 5, Pet a Pony Day on October 4, Game Night on October 17, and Barn Lighting on December 6. The committee was also scheduled to review its June 22 meeting minutes.

History Committee Reviews Heritage Sites

The History Committee met July 21 to discuss updates on Heritage House and its moving-in process, the Martha Lynn Water Tower in Fremont Hills, and signage for Heritage Oak Trees in Bryne Preserve. New business included the September issue of "Our Town," a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a grant for restoration of farm equipment, and election of officers.

Canceled Meetings

The Environmental Initiatives Committee canceled both its June 25 and July 23 regular meetings. The Pathways Committee canceled its July 27 regular meeting. No items were discussed or decided in either body.

Coming Up

August 4 — Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee: Agenda includes a resolution on recovering weed abatement costs as special assessments, discussion of the town's Wildland-Urban Interface designation in current ordinances, grant funding for mass notification, and a committee vote on the LAHEG Repeater Upgrade Budget Request.

August 4 — Environmental Design & Protection Committee: Scheduled to review defensible space maintenance rules under Title 4, Chapter 2, hear field trip reports on three properties, and discuss a Native Plant Garden restoration with $25,000 approved for weed control and irrigation. The Heritage House Renovation opening is noted for August 19 at 3 p.m.

August 6 — Planning Commission: Public hearing for an unaddressed La Barranca Road project proposing a 4,584-square-foot home, a 793-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, and a 999-square-foot SB 9 unit. Also scheduled: a study session on a conceptual security gatehouse and parking at 26790 Arastradero Road, discussions on Housing Element programs including an inclusionary housing ordinance and in-lieu fee program, and a review of the administrative variance process for electrical equipment. Two commission members will be sworn in.

August 11 — Fast Track/Site Development: Public hearing for a Site Development Permit for a 1,037-square-foot addition at 14210 Berry Hill Court (File #SD25-0067).

The Environmental Design & Protection Committee's August 11 meeting has been canceled.

Los Altos Hills committee approves $25,000 for Native Plant Garden; several July meetings canceled

The Environmental Design & Protection Committee approved a $25,000 budget for the Native Plant Garden project at its July 14 meeting, the only formal funding decision recorded across Los Altos Hills committee meetings in the past two weeks.

Environmental Design & Protection Committee

On July 14, the committee approved $25,000 for the Native Plant Garden project and rescheduled its officer election to August 4. Discussion items included the Heritage House renovation, view ordinance updates, and fence ordinance revisions, but no formal decisions were recorded on those topics, according to the official minutes.

Open Space Committee

The Open Space Committee held a special meeting July 15 after canceling its regular July 8 session. The agenda listed planning site reviews for multiple residential addresses: No Number Almaden Ct, 12769 Dianne Dr, 122625 Viscaino Ct, 26080 Quail Lane, 13920 Mirou Road, 26880 Ortega Drive, 27285 Elena Road, 27200 Deer Spring Way, 14520 DeBell Road, and 26790 Taaffe Road. The committee also reviewed SB9 applications and discussed planting and fencing at Byrne Preserve for Matadero Creek mitigation. Ad hoc committee updates covered fire mitigation easement language and bench policy. Future topics listed include artificial turf restrictions and tree ordinances. Minutes have not yet been published.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee

The committee met July 7 to review the CAL Fire Alert California Report on remote smoke sensors and the Los Altos Hills County Fire District monthly report. The agenda included a motion to make Sam Wood an Associate Member of EPRC, a report on the LAH Town Picnic, and an update on hiring an Assistant to the City Manager/EM Staff Member. Minutes have not yet been published.

Canceled Meetings

Several regular meetings were canceled in July:

• **Finance & Investment Committee**: July 6 and August 3 regular meetings canceled. A special meeting is set for July 27 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chambers Conference Room.
• **Technology Committee**: July 8 meeting canceled; next regular meeting August 12.
• **Fast Track/Site Development**: July 14 public hearing canceled; no applications or decisions considered.
• **Environmental Initiatives Committee**: June 25 and July 23 regular meetings canceled.

Coming up

• **July 21 — History Committee**: Will review updates on Heritage House, the Martha Lynn Water Tower, and signage for Heritage Oak Trees in Byrne Preserve. New business includes a grant for restoration of farm equipment, election of officers, and the September issue of "Our Town."
• **July 27 — Finance & Investment Committee special meeting**: 4:00 p.m., Chambers Conference Room. No agenda items listed beyond the scheduling change.
• **July 28 — Fast Track/Site Development public hearing**: Will consider a site development permit for 13920 Mirou Drive (File #SD26-0007) for an 881 square-foot swimming pool with attached spa and hardscape improvements at a single-family residence.
• **August 3 — Finance & Investment Committee**: Regular meeting canceled.

Los Altos Hills Committees See Wave of Cancellations; Environmental and Open Space Reviews Ahead

Several Los Altos Hills committee meetings were canceled in early July, while upcoming sessions will tackle site development reviews, ordinance updates, and a native plant garden project with $25,000 in approved funding.

Recent Meetings: Agendas Only, No Published Minutes

Four committee meetings were scheduled between July 6 and July 8, 2026. All are listed as agenda-only with minutes not yet published, so no confirmed decisions or vote tallies are available from these sessions.

The Finance and Investment Committee canceled its regular meetings for July 6 and August 3, 2026. A special meeting is set for July 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Chambers Conference Room. No business items are listed.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee met July 7 with an agenda that included a CAL Fire Alert California report on remote smoke sensors, a motion to make Sam Wood an Associate Member of the committee, a report on the LAH Town Picnic, a monthly report from the Los Altos Hills County Fire District, and an update on hiring an Assistant to the City Manager/Emergency Management staff member.

The Open Space Committee canceled its July 8 regular meeting and scheduled a special meeting for July 15.

The Technology Committee canceled its July 8 meeting. Its next regular meeting is August 12, 2026.

Coming Up: Environmental Design & Protection Committee — July 14

The Environmental Design & Protection Committee will review field trip reports for properties including 26929 Almaden Court and 13920 Mir Mirou Road. The agenda also includes a Native Plant Garden renovation project with $25,000 approved, discussion on updates to the fence ordinance for Objective Design Standards, draft guidelines on planting under oak trees, and subgroup projects covering wildlife corridors, ridgeline definitions, and artificial turf.

Coming Up: Open Space Committee — July 15

The Open Space Committee will conduct planning site reviews for multiple residential addresses, including 12769 Dianne Dr, 122625 Viscaino Ct, 26080 Quail Lane, 13920 Mir Mirou Road, 26880 Ortega Drive, 27285 Elena Road, 27200 Deer Spring Way, 14520 DeBell Road, and 26790 Taaffe Road. The committee will also review SB9 applications, discuss planting and fencing at Byrne Preserve for Matadero Creek mitigation, hear ad hoc committee updates on fire mitigation easement language and bench policy, and consider future topics including artificial turf restrictions and tree ordinances.

Canceled: Fast Track/Site Development — July 14

The weekly Fast Track/Site Development public hearing for July 14, 2026, has been canceled. No applications or decisions will be considered.

Canceled: Environmental Initiatives Committee — July 23

The Environmental Initiatives Committee has canceled both its June 25 and July 23, 2026, regular meetings. No items were discussed or decided.

Coming Up

• **July 14** — Environmental Design & Protection Committee (agenda includes Native Plant Garden project, fence ordinance updates, oak tree planting guidelines)
• **July 15** — Open Space Committee special meeting (multiple site reviews, SB9 applications, Byrne Preserve discussion)
• **July 27** — Finance and Investment Committee special meeting, 4:00 p.m., Chambers Conference Room
• **August 12** — Technology Committee next regular meeting