There was every indication going into the July 20 City Council meeting that Atherton intended to meet its state-mandated housing allocations, in part, through new multifamily overlay zones. Then City Manager George Rodericks spoke.
Although Atherton City Council members acknowledge they won t meet their state-mandated housing goals with just accessory dwelling units, deciding where to put higher density units is still a point of contention.
In this week s community briefs, Alpine Little League launches an all girls softball league, M-A s fundraiser is live, TIDE Academy wins a design award and more.
After having no luck finding anyone to operate a cafe in its new library last spring, Atherton plans to solicit another round of applications. Town staffers say there s renewed interest in the cafe, which might open in the fall.
The town surveyed local institutions about their leaf blower use. The Menlo Circus Club indicated it uses both gas and electric blowers every day for varying lengths of time, according to the staff report. Menlo School mostly uses gas blowers daily in the mornings and Sacred Heart Schools uses both gas and electric blowers every day, both for varying amounts of time. Menlo College said it uses gas-powered leaf blowers three to four days a week and/or as needed, for about 24 hours a week.
In nearby Portola Valley, officials implemented a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers this month.
Portola Valley has created a trade-in program to support conversion to electric leaf blowers. If residents buy a new, electric leaf blower, and bring in their old gas-powered model, the town will give them 40% off the cost of the electric version up to $120.