In the serene hills above Silicon Valley, a fierce battle is unfolding that could reshape California’s approach to housing development. Los Altos Hills, a wealthy enclave known for its multi-million dollar estates and strict zoning laws, is now at the center of a contentious debate about affordable housing and urban expansion.

Originally incorporated in 1956 with the explicit goal of maintaining a low-density, rural character, the town has long resisted urban development. Its zoning rules traditionally permitted only single-family homes, with a strict limit of one residence per acre. However, recent state housing mandates have forced the community to confront its long-standing resistance to multi-unit housing.

In a dramatic turn of events, a proposed development at Twin Oaks Court would introduce the town’s first affordable housing units. The project initially planned for up to 598 homes, including units for lower-income residents, which sent shockwaves through the community. Local residents immediately voiced concerns about potential impacts on traffic, emergency access, and wildlife.

The developers have since scaled back their plans to 334 single-family modular homes, with 56 units designated for lower-income residents. However, town officials are now attempting to amend their housing element, effectively reducing the number of allowable units from the original plan.

Pro-housing advocates view this as a clear attempt to circumvent state housing laws. The California Housing Defense Fund has been vocal about municipalities’ attempts to delay or prevent affordable housing development. This situation in Los Altos Hills is emblematic of a broader statewide struggle, where wealthy communities are pushing back against state mandates to increase housing density.

With California requiring local governments to plan for over 2.5 million new homes before the end of the decade, the stakes are high. Los Altos Hills’ specific target is 489 new housing units, a number that seems modest compared to the town’s vast, sprawling landscape.

As state housing regulators prepare to review the town’s proposed changes, the outcome could set a significant precedent for how similar affluent communities approach affordable housing development in the future. The battle in Los Altos Hills is more than a local zoning dispute, it’s a microcosm of California’s ongoing housing crisis and the complex dynamics of urban expansion.