The election of Michael Mangini and Adriana Botto, members of the grassroots Emerald Hills Community Coalition, was heralded as a win for those opposed to the controversial design review process and stylistic guidelines they found stifling to personal choice and residential improvements.

“Now we can get back to community basics instead of bullying,” said Nancy Mangini, another coalition member and Michael’s wife.

Mangini and Botto beat former Boardmember Helen Phillips and current President Sallie Martin nearly two to one during a meeting that drew more than 300 residents from the Emerald Hills and Oak Knoll Manor, Nancy Mangini said.

The shift on the board may have a domino effect on county-sponsored meetings with the association and the coalition. Before the vote, when they were at odds, Supervisor Rich Gordon planned meetings with both groups to re-establish the design review committee. If the two groups are in agreement, the sit-downs will likely be truncated.

Emerald Hills includes more than 1,700 property owners in unincorporated Redwood City. The homeowners’ association spent two years promoting 32 pages of new design and building guidelines, including types of plants to acceptable exterior colors. Design guidelines are not law, but offer a strict direction for the committee.

Rules for housing additions and renovations were simple prior to the creation of the design review committee in 1991, opponents told the Board of Supervisors last year. Over time, increased rules frustrated homeowners and held up some projects for years.

The trouble came to a head last June when more than 600 people crowded into a public hearing to denounce proposed zoning changes in the unincorporated area of Redwood City. The coalition eventually collected nearly 1,000 signatures opposing changes to house size, shape and appearance. The zoning proposal was withdrawn but committee critics continued asking the county for help.

The board makeup may not be the only substantial changes to come out of Tuesday night’s meeting. Homeowner Cynthia Ford submitted a petition with 71 signatures demanding a special meeting on the association’s mission and bylaws. Among the suggestions are a name change to the Emerald Hills Neighborhood Organization, Inc. so membership can include all residents. The petition also asks limits on board director service to not more than four years in any eight-year period.

The new board is expected to meet in April to consider the petition.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.