Councilman raises stakes in battle over Measure D

BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer

Los Altos Councilman Pete Dailey says he will immediately and absolutely propose allowing multifamily housing in residential neighborhoods if voters approve a ballot measure to preserve downtown parking lots.

Supporters of Measure D accused Dailey of scare tactics at Tuesday’s meeting.

“You’re making it a bigger deal to me than it needs to be,” resident Nancy Martin said.

“We can cool this down and be much more creative and positive with each other,” resident Alice Mansell said.

Dailey said the city’s state-mandated 2023-2031 Housing Element is in jeopardy because the plan committed the city to allowing housing downtown.

Dailey said state housing officials would require council to update the Housing Element, and 80% of Los Altos is single-family homes. “It’s pretty hard to make major adjustments to (housing) capacity and still sequester that 80% of the city,” Dailey said on Tuesday. 

Another option would be allowing 20-story buildings downtown, Dailey said. “Pick your poison,” he said.

Dailey said he’s worried the state will invalidate the city’s Housing Element and allow developers to propose large projects.

Dailey said developers will invoke the Builder’s Remedy as soon as Measure D passes.

The Builder’s Remedy is a provision in state law that allows housing developers to ignore local rules in cities without an approved Housing Element.

“That’s not a scare tactic. That’s based on our experience,” Dailey said.

Dailey pointed to a recently approved six-story Builder’s Remedy project at 349 First St., set to become downtown’s tallest building at 84 feet in height. 

Tensions are high in Los Altos over Measure D, a citizen’s initiative that would require council to get voter approval before developing downtown parking lots.

City wants to build park, garage and a theater

Residents gathered signatures for the measure in April after council made plans to build a downtown park, parking garage and performing arts theater.

City Manager Gabriel Engeland said Los Altos would likely need to find a place for 124 new apartments if Measure D passes, but the exact number hasn’t been determined. He said the city could allow more apartments where they’re already allowed, and the state wouldn’t immediately invalidate the Housing Element.

“It’s not automatic. There is due process,” he said.