Agenda Highlights

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This is the 2nd reading of the proposed Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) ordinance.

This item has drawn considerable public interest due to its potential impact on properties in town.

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There will also be a summary of updates to the proposed 2025-26 budget.

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ITEM 2. CONSENT CALENDAR

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A. Waive Reading and Adopt an Ordinance of the Town of Los Altos Hills designating
Fire Hazard Severity Zones pursuant to Government Code Section 51179, based on
the map titled “Town of Los Altos Hills Fire Hazard Severity Zones”, which reflects
CALFIRE recommendations and local amendments. Properties are designated as
moderate, high, or very high, with findings supported by substantial evidence for
those reclassified to very high. (Staff: J. Bradford)
- Waive Reading and Adopt the Ordinance

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[NOTE: This item is on the Consent Calendar but will likely be pulled to allow discussion and public comment.]

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A town ordinance requires to be read and voted on at two meetings at least 5 days apart.

The first reading of the FHSZ map ordinance was on May 15, 2025. At that meeting the Council voted 3-1 to adopt a Town-generated fire hazard map instead of the State Map recommended by the State Fire Marshall. The Town Map adds around 50 parcels to the High and Very High severity zones. This imposes additional requirements and penalties on these parcels as shown in the table below. Importantly, the added requirements include hazard disclosure requirements as part of a property sale. The town indicated that it notified owners of the 50 parcels by postal mail. In addition, under the Town Map in cases where a property that had even a small sliver of land designated Very High or High, the entire parcel was reclassified at the higher severity level. However, in this case, homeowners were not notified of the change to their property classification.

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This action by the City Council was opposed by dozens of residents.

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Public comments on this issue can be seen here (see PUBLIC COMMENT entries in the left bar):
   https://losaltoshillsca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3894/files/agenda/7890

here:
   https://losaltoshillsca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3884/files/attachment/12436

and here:
   https://losaltoshillsca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3884/files/attachment/12441

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​The Emergency Preparation and Response Committee approved a motion to recommend that the Council NOT use the Town Map, adopt the (less severe) State Map and implement a town-wide ordinance to improve fire safety measures across the entire town. As witnessed in the recent Southern California disasters, fires are highly unpredictable in the way they originate and spread via embers and winds. Merely classifying a property as being in a High or Very High fire hazard zone inherently does nothing to make the property safer. A town-wide ordinance on defensible space and other measures would keep us all safer and avoid victimizing a small group of neighbors with a burdensome financial penalty. An Santa Clara County Fire Captain has publicly stated that the FHSZ rating has no effect on how the Fire Department responds to fires.

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On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the Council has two options:
1. Affirm the vote at the May 15 meeting to adopt the more severe town-generated fire hazard map.

2. Reverse the May 15 vote and adopt the State Map.

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If you would like the Council to revert to the State Map, this meeting will likely be the last opportunity to make your voice heard. Resident Andy Coan has also created a Change.org petition opposing the Town Map:

   https://chng.it/fgYBHxgm69

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Nearby local governments that have adopted the State Map include:
- Atherton

- County of San Mateo

- County of Santa Clara

- Cupertino

- Los Gatos

- Monte Sereno

- Palo Alto

- Portola Valley

- San Jose

- Woodside

​​Below are the requirements for various zones. SRA refers to State Responsibility Areas. LRA refers to Local Responsibility Areas (including Los Altos Hills).

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ITEM 3. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS (ITEMS PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES)

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A. FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget Informational Update (Staff: T. Leung)

Staff will provide an update to summarize key changes to the proposed 2025-2026 budget.

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