Atherton drops charter city idea; residents feared it would lead to more taxes

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer

Atherton’s council has dropped the idea to become a charter city after not receiving support from residents, who weren’t interested in making it easier for the town to tax them.

Town officials tried to get residents on board earlier this year by holding workshops and doing outreach, but residents didn’t support the idea, according to City Manager George Rodericks.

The town has been eying putting the charter city proposal on the ballot in order to enact a real estate transfer tax, which would be based on a percentage of a home’s price when it’s sold. The real estate transfer tax could net millions of dollars a year. Also, the council felt that becoming a charter city would help Atherton fend off state housing requirements.

But residents didn’t buy the arguments, Rodericks said. Residents weren’t interested in making it easier for the town to raise taxes. They also didn’t think the town would actually be protected from state housing laws.

Councilman Rick DeGolia was the main supporter on council for the town to become a charter city because it would’ve protected the town in the future if there is an increase in local control over land use.

DeGolia is concerned about SB9, which allows lots that are zoned for single-family homes and are at least 2,400 square feet to be split into two lots without a city hearing. Two homes can then be built on each, resulting in a total of four homes where previously just one was allowed.

A majority of council previously questioned the benefits of becoming a charter before deciding to reach out to residents.

“We had initiated this because people were thinking it was a solution for some of our housing issues, and it’s become very, very clear to us that it is not a fix for that,” Vice Mayor Stacy Holland said on Oct 15.

Councilman Bill Widmer said on Oct. 15 that becoming a charter city wouldn’t benefit the town and would instead add additional costs.

“I just don’t think it’s worthwhile at this point,” Widmer said during the Oct. 15 meeting.