A Novel Defense Against State-Mandated Density: Mountain Lions

Woodside, a small town in the South Bay Area of California, has invented a new method for resisting state-mandated zoning reforms.

2 minute read

February 3, 2022, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A map showing the location of Woodside, California and its surrounding roads.

SevenMaps / Shutterstock

Angela Swartz reports from Woodside, California, a town of 5,500 people in the South Bay Area, about the city's plans to reject the state's new zoning law, Senate Bill 9. Woodside's reason for avoiding state mandated density: the entire town is mountain lion habitat.

Planetizen readers know the beginning of this story: SB 9, approved in September 2021 before going into effect at the beginning of the year, allows residential property owners throughout the state to split their properties and build up to four residential units. With the law, California followed Oregon as the second state to preempt local zoning laws by mandating the end of single-family zoning. Local jurisdictions are taking similar actions, led by the city of Minneapolis in 2019 and followed by a wave of cities like Charlotte, Berkeley, and Sacramento, to name a few examples from 2021.

Cities in both Oregon and California have already been getting creative in resisting the new state preemption—using the tools of historic preservation, for example—but the city of Woodside chose a different route.

According to Swartz:

Town officials found a clause in the law that prohibits development in areas identified as habitats for protected species. Mountain lions are a protected species because they are a candidate for the California Endangered Species Act and Woodside, in "its entirety" is a mountain lion habitat, according to a Jan. 27 memo from Town Planning Director Jackie Young. 

Swartz also provides background on the town's development politics and notes that the city is facing the prospect of needing to zoned capacity for 358 units between 2023 and 2031 under the state's Regional Housing Needs Allocation process. The town is currently updating its Housing Element.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in The Almanac

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business