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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSIGNED April 14, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes Closed SessionApproved May 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Special Meeting Minutes Monday, April 14, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California Present: Mayor Kavita Tankha, Vice Mayor Rajiv Bhateja, Council Member Stanley Mok, Council Member Linda Swan, Council Member George Tyson Absent: None Staff: City Manager Peter Pirnejad, Deputy City Manager Code Einfalt, and City Clerk Arika Birdsong-Miller CALL TO ORDER (5:00 P.M.) Mayor Tankha called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. 1. ROLL CALL Mayor Kavita Tankha, Vice Mayor Rajiv Bhateja, Council Member Stanley Mok, Council Member Linda Swan, and Council Member Tyson were present. 2.PUBLIC COMMENT (Public Comment is Limited to Items which are the subject of the Special Meeting) 1.Michael Grady, a resident of Los Altos Hills, expressed concern that the Special Meeting may not be convened to discuss legitimate litigation matters, but instead to deliberate on Housing Element amendments and RHNA allocations, which he believes would violate the Brown Act. He requested that the closed session be recorded for potential future judicial review. Mr. Grady noted that the existing litigation listed on the agenda, Sea Landing, was dismissed in July 2023 and questioned its relevance. Regarding anticipated litigation, he referenced the Planning Commission’s recommendation to focus multifamily housing on the flat lots of Twin Oaks rather than the steeper parcels, reflecting resident sentiment. Finally, he disclosed that he has filed a Public Records Act lawsuit against the Town, alleging failure to produce communications related to Twin Oaks Property as requested in the PRA. 2. John O’Connell, a resident of Los Altos Hills, criticized the Town’s approach to the Housing Element, stating that several mistakes made in the initial plan, such as excessive density and bypassing the Planning Commission, were being repeated. He expressed concern that the Council ignored the Planning Commission’s recommendations and misrepresented their position in the staff report. Mr. O’Connell argued that the proposed rezoning plan would result in far more housing units than needed, while also relying on steep, inappropriate terrain for development. He pointed to the latest state housing report to show a mismatch between the types of housing the Town needs and what is being City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 proposed. He concluded by warning that continued use of Special Meetings could undermine transparency and public trust. 3.ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING: A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) Sea Landing Limited Partnership v. Town of Los Altos Hills, Case No. 22-CV 400255 B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) Significant Exposure to Litigation – Two cases – (Potential Litigation Related to: (1) SB 330 Issue related to Twin Oaks property and (2) Options for Housing Element and Land Use Element Amendment and Zoning/Objective Development Standards) 4.ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Mayor Tankha adjourned the Special Meeting to Closed Session at 5:08 P.M. 5.REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION There was no reportable action from the Closed Session. 6.ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Arika Birdsong-Miller, City Clerk