California Flunks Affluent San Mateo County Town’s Housing Plan

The decertification means Portola Valley faces builder’s remedy, which allows developers to ignore zoning rules if they include affordable units.
California Flunks Affluent San Mateo County Town’s Housing Plan
Portola Valley Town Hall in May 2023. Google Maps/Screenshot via California Insider
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The affluent Northern California town of Portola Valley announced last week the state’s housing department decertified its mandated plan for housing leaving the small town of about 4,200 residents vulnerable, for the time being, to what’s known as builder’s remedy.

Such allows developers to ignore certain local zoning rules for proposed developments that include a portion for affordable units.