Debate over PV Town Center geology Debate over PV Town Center geology (November 03, 2004)

** Town Council may approve conceptual master plan.

By David Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer

After months of complaining about the Portola Valley Town Council's plan to rebuild the Town Center's complex of buildings outside their current location in an earthquake rupture zone on the center's 11.2-acre site, a small group of Portola Valley residents who oppose the plan will have an opportunity to debate the geological underpinnings of the council's decision.

James A. Cheney, a retired civil engineering professor who is representing the plan's opponents, will speak to the town's geological committee this week.

The committee meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 3, in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road. Scientists associated with a geological analysis commissioned by the council are expected to be on hand to dispute Mr. Cheney's views.

Later that day, at 7:30 p.m. in the multi-use room, the council will meet to consider approving a conceptual master plan for the Town Center site.

Cost estimates to build the master plan design are between $13 million and $15 million, with a possible 20 percent increase to pay for materials.

Currently, the town has $3.5 million set aside for the project, with an additional $1 million donated last spring by residents Jean and Bill Lane. The council has put off fundraising discussions until after it approves the conceptual plan.

In a letter mailed to most town residents recently by former mayor Bob Brown and three other residents, Mr. Cheney -- an emeritus professor from the University of California at Davis -- argued against rebuilding and in support of seismically retrofitting the existing buildings.

Drawing selectively from the geological analyses -- one written in 1972 and the other in 2002 -- Mr. Cheney concluded that the existing buildings could be made relatively safe with "a few architectural changes."

MEETING CANCELED

The meeting of the Portola Valley Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, has been canceled. The next regular Planning Commission meeting is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 17, in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.