Photo

Grant Huberty grew up in Woodside Hills in a simpler time -- when Interstate 280 didn't run through Woodside, when there were no fences between homes and views went forever because the only trees in the neighborhood were native oaks, and when there were fruit orchards on Woodside Road.

Things have changed, but a few years ago, when Mr. Huberty had a chance to move back into Woodside Hills after 25 years of living elsewhere, he took it. He and his wife, Carol Welsh, are now living in the house Mr. Huberty grew up in. "My wife and I remodelled it to make it ours," he says.

"I've always liked Woodside. It's got a desire to stay rural," Mr. Huberty says. In fact, he says, the town may even be "a little less polished than some people like" since it still has no sidewalks and no street lights.

Another thing he has always loved about his neighborhood is the fact that his home, like many in Woodside Hills, has a view. "I like to be up the hill. I like the view," Mr. Huberty said. "I grew up being able to look out the view."

Another advantage of the neighborhood of about 250 homes is that the lots are large. "We enjoy the space," Mr. Huberty says. While he has plenty of neighbors, they are far enough apart to give each home a sense of privacy.

Mr. Huberty is the treasurer and on the board of the Woodside Hills Homes Association. He replaced Perry Vartanian, who retired after 28 years on the association's board.

Mr. Vartanian has lived in the Hills for 50 years, since 1961, and has seen it grow around him. The area was developed by David Bohannon who bought over 300 acres and developed it in phases beginning in the 1930s.

"When I moved in here it was a bare acre," Mr. Vartanian says of his lot. He designed and built the home where he and his wife raised five children. Now there are oak trees everywhere, and many wild animals. "We've got deer, we've got coyotes," he says.

The neighborhood must have suited Mr. Bohannon, who lived there until his death. Two of his children, Scott Bohannon and Frances Nelson, still live in Woodside Hills, Mr. Vartanian says.

It's not unusual for more than one generation to live in the Hills, Mr. Vartanian says, and he knows of at least one family where a home now has a third generation making it their own.

The Woodside Hills Homes Association sponsors a big social event for all the neighbors each year, and holds an annual meeting. Association dues are less than $100 per year and go toward maintaining the landscaping of the formal entry and 25 traffic islands in the neighborhood.

The association also has an architectural board that must approve any new home or remodeling plans in addition to the town of Woodside.

-- Barbara Wood


FACTS
CHILDCARE & PRESCHOOLS: Woodside Parents' Nursery School, 3154 Woodside Road, Woodside; Woodside Preschool, 3195 Woodside Road, Woodside
FIRE STATION: 3111 Woodside Road, Woodside
LOCATION: north of Woodside Road and Interstate 280 between Canada College and Menlo Country Club to Las Pulgas Road
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Woodside Hills
PARK: Huddart County Park. 1100 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside; Wunderlich County Park, 4040 Woodside Road, Woodside
PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Redwood City School District -- Henry Ford School, 2498 Massachusetts, Redwood City; Kennedy Middle School, 2521 Goodwin Ave., Redwood City; plus magnet schools
Sequoia Union High School District -- Woodside High School, 199 Churchill Ave., Woodside
SHOPPING: Woodside Road, Woodside, Woodside Plaza, Redwood City
MEDIAN 2012 HOME PRICE: $2,327,500 (1,650,000-$3,300,000)
HOMES SOLD: 8

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.