Stanford is proud to build Portola Terrace as part of the university's ongoing stewardship of its land and long-term commitment to a strong and resilient community
Portola Terrace addresses two critical issues: affordable housing and wildfire safety. It provides faculty housing, affordable community workforce housing, a large oak woodland, and a property-wide plan for increasing wildfire safety.
Portola Terrace makes Portola Valley stronger and safer
Portola Terrace is a small housing development proposed by Stanford as envisioned in the Housing Element for Portola Valley. It is designed to reflect the character, scale and lifestyle of the town.
Most of the property will remain as an oak woodland and be managed according to a comprehensive Vegetation Management Plan (VMP). The VMP, together with fire prevention measures in the housing development, will significantly improve fire safety for the surrounding residents and community.
Draft Environmental Impact Report Released
A key milestone for Stanford’s Portola Terrace Faculty Housing Project was reached on March 30, 2022, when the Town of Portola Valley released the draft environmental impact report (DEIR). The release of the report launches the start of the public review process and puts the project on track to reach the Town Council for its consideration and possible approval by the end of the year.
The DEIR studies the potential physical impacts of the project, such as impacts to air and water quality, biological resources, wildfire risk and cultural resources, and identifies mitigation measures for impacts that might otherwise be significant. The report finds no significant unavoidable impacts created by Stanford’s housing project. The DEIR is available here.
Learn more about Portola Terrace
Portola Terrace creates much-needed housing that complements the Town’s rural character while preserving the natural features of the oak woodland that make Portola Valley home.
Addressing wildfire safety
The combination of fire protection measures for the housing development and the oak woodland will make Portola Valley safer by lowering fire risk for the surrounding residents and the community.
Enjoy the Oak Woodlands
Stanford’s Portola Terrace project includes two trails which will provide safe, public access to Stanford University’s large oak woodland in conformance with the Trails and Paths Elements of the Portola Valley General Plan.