Portola Valley council declines ad hoc subcommittee, asks liaison for biweekly updates on Hawthornes

Portola Valley’s Town Council on Friday debated whether to form an ad hoc subcommittee to examine options for responding to Midpen (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District) plans for the 79‑acre Hawthornes property, then voted 4–1 not to create the subcommittee and instead instructed the council liaison to report back every two weeks.

Mayor Mary Taylor, who has served as the town’s liaison to Midpen in recent months, described the role she has played communicating with Midpen staff and said she favored continuing that liaison work while the council gathers legal advice. “I have been the liaison to MRSD for the last 18 months,” she said, adding that the town still needs to “better define what we want” before escalating formal action.

During lengthy public comment, residents pressed for an aggressive legal posture. Linda Brothers, a resident, told the council there is “a very clear legal approach…that runs a significant chance of stopping this in the water,” and urged prompt action to avoid losing a window of opportunity. Lana Norris, another resident, said Midpen appears to prioritize public access over local concerns, arguing that “Midpen’s goal is access, access, access…not carrying one whit about our community.”

Town manager Darcy Smith outlined the proposed subcommittee’s permitted scope under the Brown Act: it could include up to two council members, act in an advisory capacity only, and must have a specific, finite assignment. Smith also briefed the council on the Hawthornes site, noting Midpen expects to begin an SQA environmental review process and that the town would be a responsible agency if and when Midpen issues a notice of preparation.

Council members split over the next steps. Several councilors said they were wary of creating a small ad hoc body that could delay action for months; others said a short, focused effort to collect background documents, identify legal leverage and map critical calendar milestones would be useful. Concerns included limited town staff capacity, the cost of litigation and the risk that public statements before legal counsel is fully engaged could complicate future proceedings.

A motion that the council not form a subcommittee at this time and that the liaison provide biweekly reports passed 4–1. The transcript did not record who made the motion or the names of individual yes/no votes; the clerk announced the motion passed by a four‑to‑one tally.

Following the vote, Mayor Taylor said she would agendaize a fuller discussion for a future meeting and coordinate limited two‑by‑two consultations with the outside attorney the council has identified. The council adjourned the special meeting with direction to continue gathering information and legal advice before deciding whether to pursue formal action.

What’s next: the town manager will bring a more robust agenda item back to council at a future meeting; the liaison will begin providing two‑week written or verbal updates on outreach and counsel guidance.