Split Saratoga Council Sinks Climate Resilience District Task Force

Saratoga's push to organize long-term wildfire funding stalled Oct. 21 when a motion to launch a Climate Resilience District task force failed on a four-member council. The decision leaves the strategy to an incoming council with three new members. Earlier, the council unanimously advanced its annual code update but dropped a proposal that would have moved small subdivision approvals from the Planning Commission to staff.

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• Climate Resilience District task force and resolution of intent fail. Councilmember Belal Aftab and Mayor Chuck Page voted yes; Vice Mayor Tina Walia voted no.
• Eight public commenters split on the task force: five in favor, three opposed or urging delay.
• Annual code update passes unanimously after the council strikes staff-level approval of small subdivisions.
• Village boundary change approved by voice vote, with Councilmember Kookie Fitzsimmons excused.

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Wildfire Task Force Stalls Before New Council Seats

The basics: A Climate Resilience District, or CRD, is a special district authorized under state law to plan and fund climate-adaptation work, such as wildfire mitigation. Saratoga's proposal would only have started the planning process.

Why it matters: The CRD was pitched as a way to have a funding strategy ready for hillside wildfire and evacuation-route work. Without the vote, no task force will start before the new council takes office.

Where things stand: Administrative Services Director Ryan Hinchman outlined two resolutions. The first would have created a five-member advisory task force, with one nominee per councilmember, serving through June 30, 2027. The second was a non-binding resolution of intent with no dedicated revenue source, supported by existing staff. Hinchman said a $1.75M state allocation could fund vegetation work but could not pay for the task force.

"They do not create an operating district, impose new taxes or assessments, or commit the city to funding district operations," said Hinchman.

Supporters argued the city needs to be ready when money becomes available. "It is really important to be ready, to have all of your ducks in a row, to have your project list," said Councilmember Belal Aftab. Mayor Chuck Page cast the vote as a first step: "A climate resilience district is not being formed today."

Five public commenters backed the plan. Hillside resident Tiger Tierlink called it low-cost and forward-looking. Frank Casanova, a Mount Eden Road resident, stressed evacuation routes and a voice for hillside residents. Jim asked opponents to offer alternatives, and David called a no vote absurd.

The other side: "I don't believe tonight is the night to make a decision on either of the two resolutions," said Vice Mayor Tina Walia. Walia and Councilmember Kookie Fitzsimmons both said the decision belongs to the new council, citing staff workload and budget. "For the moment, for right now, I will not be supporting this tonight," said Fitzsimmons.

Three commenters opposed the plan or urged delay. Wildland-urban interface (WUI) resident Glenda Ani cited a lack of public education, notice and a financial framework, along with the departure of current councilmembers. Stan, a former councilmember, said the next council should appoint any task force and that existing city management can address evacuation concerns. Bill opposed the CRD but supported a narrower task force focused on wildfire and storm damage to evacuation routes.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Aftab moved to approve both resolutions, and Page seconded. The motion failed on a voice vote. Aftab and Page voted yes, and Walia voiced opposition. Fitzsimmons had said she would not support it, but her vote was not separately recorded. Councilmember Yan Zhao was absent.

"The motion fails, and there will be no task force, and there will be no resolution of intent to form a climate resilience district," said Page. Hillside and WUI residents who wanted a formal seat in wildfire planning lose that venue for now. Residents worried about new agencies or future assessments get more time and a fresh council.

What's next: The CRD question passes to the new council. No return date was set.

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Code Update Passes, Minus Staff Subdivision Approvals

Why it matters: The annual update aligns local rules with state law on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and building heights. It also revises tree and debris-container rules. A debate over transparency kept small subdivisions before the Planning Commission.

Where things stand: The city attorney described the update as noncontroversial conforming changes. A mixed-use density change and a related zone change were pulled for further work. That left the Village boundary (Item 22, Section 15-62.010) as the only zoning change. Fitzsimmons was excused for that item. On a motion by Aftab, seconded by Walia, the council approved the boundary change by unanimous voice vote.

The sharpest debate centered on item 6. That provision would have let the Community Development Director approve subdivisions of four parcels or fewer. "Because we are taking visibility away from the residents," said Walia, explaining her concern. Staff said the goal was saving time.

"It is not legally required, and if having the opportunity to see things on a Planning Commission agenda is the value, then we don't need to make the change at all," said the city attorney.

The other side: Public commenter Glenn Hendricks asked who benefits from item 6 and whether residents knew about it. He urged deferral until staff could provide a written explanation and supported push notifications for residents. Councilmembers also raised ADU standards, state-law height limits, tree valuation wording tied to the ISA trunk formula, and utility fees for ADUs.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Walia moved approval with amendments, and Aftab seconded. The amendments:

• Move the roll-off container provision to the top of the debris section (7-05.050), as Page requested.
• Split a sentence in 15-05.070.
• Add commas in 15-45.065D.
• Clarify in 15-56.035 that the city cannot impose ADU fees.
• Omit item 6 entirely.

The motion carried by unanimous voice vote, and no individual tally was recorded. Neighbors keep Planning Commission visibility into small subdivisions, while applicants lose a faster staff-level path. Staff also committed to a Planning Commission report on pending staff-level projects.

What's next: The ordinance returns for adoption at a second reading in about two weeks.

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• County Fire update: Assistant Chief Jeremy Davis reported medical response times of about 6 minutes, 40 seconds and structure-fire response times of about 7 minutes, 30 seconds. He cited about 1,000 calls from the Saratoga station plus 1,200 backup calls, along with about 1,400 hydrant inspections.
• Consent calendar: Items 1.1 through 1.4 passed by unanimous voice vote. Public commenter Buzz R. urged renewed sheriff-contract talks with Los Gatos. "We don't control the sheriff's costs, their salaries, etc.," said Page, who directed staff to respond on response times.
• Park fees: Public commenter Gus warned that hourly park charges of about $100 to $150 would hurt sports leagues and nonprofits. Page noted the park Gus cited is in Los Gatos.
• Storm and fire prep: After two elderly residents died in a Monte Sereno house fire without working smoke alarms, Page urged residents to check their alarms. He also urged early sandbag pickup at the corporation yard, where Saratoga ordered about 1,000 more bags.
• Community events: The Witchy Walkabout is set for Oct. 31, and the SMASH Maker Faire for Nov. 1.

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Looking ahead: Page asked staff to return with considerations for re-initiating annexation of the Mountain Winery, citing two other builder's remedy projects, and Aftab supported the request. Aftab also requested an update on village vacancies, which Page seconded. Aftab reported that the Saratoga Historical Foundation will co-produce the Blossom Festival with AABC.