Looks like green light for Woodside Priory expansion Looks like green light for Woodside Priory expansion (February 09, 2005)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

It was somewhat out of character for a Planning Commission meeting on the expansion plans for the Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley. At the February 2 meeting, when commission chair Craig Breon asked for public comment on the school's latest revisions to its master plan, there were several seconds of silence.

Ultimately, only three of the 50 people in attendance spoke, and only one broached a controversial issue. Quite a difference from the meeting two weeks ago, when retorts were bouncing off the walls.

Mr. Breon officially closed the public hearing on the subject, more than a year after its introduction. The commission intends to vote on the plan at its meeting on Wednesday, February 16. Approval is expected.

The school would build several new structures, including a 400-seat performing arts center, a fitness center, classrooms, offices and housing. The plan has received both significant support and significant opposition.
At issue

Plan opponents are troubled by new construction on campus that will reduce water-permeable surfaces such as grassy fields, thereby increasing the amount of rainwater runoff and worsening the danger of downstream flooding in bad storms.

The school is attempting to address this issue by directing runoff to a low lying field and gradually releasing it into Corte Madera Creek through a 12-inch pipe. A sloping berm built along the northwest corner of the field would help to contain the water.

The containment system would have storage capacity for a very severe storm, the type that occurs once in 100 years, said Edward Boscacci, an engineer for BKF Engineers in Redwood City. The Priory's plans would increase the total impervious surface of the creek's watershed by 0.03 percent, said Mr. Boscacci.

The drainage plan pleased Commissioner Linda Elkind. "It's a real contribution to the community," she said.

Another contentious issue concerns a gate that blocks access to the school from Georgia Lane, a quiet residential street adjacent to the campus. The gate is closed to all but emergency vehicles; most Georgia Lane residents want to keep it that way, said Commissioner Lea Zaffaroni, who lives on the street and recused herself during the discussion.

The school is seeking to open the gate for the residents of four on-campus faculty homes. Town staff members have recommended against this, but sentiment on the commission is for an accommodation to those residents.

Ms. Zaffaroni spoke of a transcendent concern. Current Priory officials and residents are accommodating to neighbors, she noted, but wondered if opening that gate for some might make it legally indefensible to close it for others someday.

Opponents to the school's plans have engaged attorneys to address the issues of flooding, access to Georgia Lane and related matters. Planning Commission decisions can be appealed to the Town Council.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.