Wednesday: Atherton council reviews plan for civic center

Just a thought: With all the upgrades and regulations, where is Atherton's plan for any affordable housing? If Menlo Park got in trouble for not offering anything of this kind, where do Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley stand on this?

Atherton's achieved its affordable housing requirement through reclassification of a number of existing units. A change in policy allows an owner in a house exceeding 5000 sf to deem their Au-Pair's bedroom, housekeeper's apartment over the garage, or basement maids room as contributing to the affordable stock of the Bay Area. This has been a win-win for everyone as it accounts for what was before seen as useless/underused floor space, while protecting the uniquely scenic qualities of the Atherton Village character from the blight that social housing can bring.

I can only hope that such a progressive attitude can be taken up by other communities.

Thank you "really?" for that information, I remember 50 years ago when Woodside and Portola Valley had outbuildings/quarters for workers on large properties, such as Webb Ranch. However, the majority of service workers do NOT live anywhere near Atherton, even though they have worked there for decades. Are there any housing options available to them? They are vital to our community, and shouldn't have to commute in from Modesto or somewhere that far.