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22-acre parcel ignites housing fears in wealthy Bay Area town
A quiet Peninsula community is once again at the center of California’s housing battle. In affluent Woodside, leaders are weighing the future of a 22-acre state-owned site that could help meet state-mandated housing targets.
For some residents, the proposal threatens the character of their semi-rural enclave. For others, it highlights the clash between preserving traditional suburban character and meeting statewide housing affordability goals.
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The spark
On January 27, 2026, the Woodside Town Council voted to begin negotiating the potential purchase of a 22-acre Caltrans parcel near Interstate 280 and Farm Hill Boulevard.
The move is tied to state housing mandates requiring the town to plan for 328 new housing units between 2023 and 2031…