Bill Widmer News Today

The Atherton City Council has been looking at adjusting service fees with an eye toward giving property owners incentives to help the town expand housing over the next several years per state requirements.

Diana Hawkins-Manuelian, who joined Athertons council in 2022, is serving her first term as mayor in 2024.

As a state deadline fast approaches, Atherton is searching for ways to spur residential development that complies with Californias housing mandate while also preserving the town’s historically large-lot, single-family character.

Atherton is eyeing additional properties, including that of an exclusive social club, for potential new multifamily and workforce dwellings to help meet a state requirement for cities to plan for future housing.

This Sunday, Sept. 24, Atherton plans to commemorate that history with a centennial celebration at the Town Center, 80 Fair Oaks Lane, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will feature exhibits on the towns characteristics.

The Atherton City Council is moving forward with plans to purchase electric vehicle chargers for installation in Holbrook-Palmer Park for $54,000.

Atherton will have to continue to refine its state-mandated housing plan after receiving feedback from the state housing department that its plan still doesnt pass muster.

Atherton officials are looking into annexing county land that could be turned into housing for educators and school staff, a different approach to state-mandated housing goals for the town.

Around 250 people turned out for Atherton City Councils Tuesday meeting to sound off about the towns contentious efforts to craft a state-approved plan for building housing over the next eight years.

In 2022, a car was discovered buried in an Atherton backyard, the town planned for new housing despite protests from residents and more.