Portola Valley Planning Commission OKs Priory's expansion plan Portola Valley Planning Commission OKs Priory's expansion plan (March 02, 2005)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

The Portola Valley Planning Commission voted to approve Woodside Priory School's expansion plans at a special meeting on February 22.

The private Benedictine middle and high school won approval to amend its conditional use permit -- last amended in 1969 -- to reflect its current student population and to add several new structures, including a 400-seat performing arts center, a fitness center, classrooms, offices and housing.

The master plan was before town planning bodies for more than a year and amended in response to critics. Supporters of the school's plan included local parents of Priory students.

Opposition came from neighbors, some of whom complained that new construction would increase rainwater runoff and increase the likelihood of flooding. The school addressed this issue with a runoff containment scheme.

Neighbors also objected to a proposal to permit the regular use of an emergency access gate on Georgia Lane by residents of four faculty homes located on campus near the gate. The school ultimately dropped this proposal.

Residents have 30 days -- until Thursday, March 24 -- to appeal this decision to the Town Council.

The Planning Commission vote was 3-0-2, with one absence (Ann Wengert) and one recusal (Leah Zaffaroni).

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