Portola Valley: Priory expansion plans on Planning Commission plate Portola Valley: Priory expansion plans on Planning Commission plate (July 21, 2004)

The expansion plans of Woodside Priory School are on the agenda for the next meeting of the Portola Valley Planning Commission.

The public meeting will take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road. The Priory will be the last of three topics scheduled for the evening, but the first two discussions are likely to be brief, said Leslie Lambert, the town's planning manager.

The Priory -- with 339 students in grades 6-12 on 50 acres at 302 Portola Road -- is requesting an amendment to its conditional use permit that would allow the school to expand its floor area by 28 percent, its parking by 25 percent, and its maximum enrollment so as to slightly exceed current enrollment. The school's original use permit, granted in 1969, allows only 250 students.

The school's new master plan would boost the 151,000 square feet of floor area by about 42,000 square feet. Among the additions would be a performing arts center, new faculty housing, and more gym space and classrooms. Also planned are 64 new parking spaces, redesigned roads and pedestrian paths, and improved drainage.

INFORMATION

Council cancels meeting. The Portola Valley Town Council meeting scheduled for July 28 has been cancelled due to the lack of a quorum. The next scheduled council meeting is at 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road. For information, call 851-1700 or go to portolavalley.net.

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