By Linda Taaffe

Los Altos could gain 386 new residents by the end of this month if the Los Altos City Council takes advantage of recent law changes that would permit the city to annex two unincorporated neighborhoods without an election. The item is scheduled for discussion at the next council meeting Tuesday.

The expansion may cost the city more money annually in services than it will receive in additional property taxes, but would enable the city to provide better municipal and public safety services, city officials said.

The Blue Oak Lane and Woodland Acres neighborhoods are surrounded by Los Altos land but fall under the jurisdiction of Santa Clara County. Both meet the criteria of Senate Bill 1266 that went into effect at the start of this year, making them eligible for a speedy annexation. Under the law, neighborhoods that are 150 acres or less and surrounded by another jurisdiction may be annexed without a protest hearing or election.

Previously, 50 percent of voting residents could defeat an annexation.

Under the new law, “Cities are permitted to simply hold a public hearing and decide whether or not to annex the area - presumably even if all of the residents were in opposition,” said Community Development Director James Walgren.

Councilmembers said they want to weigh public opinion before making any decisions.

Blue Oaks covers 12 1/2 acres between Foothill Expressway and Los Altos Avenue. There are an estimated 57 residents in the neighborhood.

Woodland Acres, near Grant Road, includes 80 acres and approximately 329 residents.

The Country Club area is the third unincorporated area within Los Altos’ sphere of influence, but it includes 624 acres, too many to meet the state’s criteria.

Residents in Woodland Acres can expect to pay $14.70 less a month, or $176 less annually, for the same sewer services they receive now. The change would mean about $21,521 less in sewer fees to the city annually.

The owners of two properties not connected to the sewer system in Woodland Acres would have to come up with as much as $14,000 each to connect to the sewer line within 90 days after the annexation is approved. City law requires homes within 100 feet of a sewer line to be connected.

Walgren said the cost to the city could run about $572 per parcel to provide city services.

Sewers typically have been the driving force behind neighborhoods seeking annexation. Santa Clara County does not provide unincorporated areas with access to public sewer systems.

Woodland Acres residents opposed annexation when the topic arose about 25 years ago. Longtime resident Chalkley Murray said many were concerned about adhering to city laws that were stricter than county regulations, such as the right to keep horses on their property. She said questions arose about who would pay for storm drains.

“It seems stupid to have unincorporated (pockets),” said Murray. “I’m not able to vote on local issues. That’s the real reason I’d like to incorporate.”

Walgren said the law, set to expire in 2007, provides cities a narrow window of opportunity to fix “boundary anomalies.”