Portola Valley: Public comment sought on Town Center report Portola Valley: Public comment sought on Town Center report (September 14, 2005)

The Portola Valley Town Council will have a 10-day review period, beginning September 16, on the environmental impact report for the Town Center redesign project. Members of the public can also comment.

At a subsequent public meeting -- perhaps at the September 28 council meeting -- the council may approve the EIR or may send it back for further work.

The draft EIR and comments made over the summer will be available for review at the town library, Town Hall and on the town Web site at portolavalley.net.

The project, estimated to cost $20 million, will involve razing the current building complex, which studies have concluded could rupture in a major earthquake. A new complex is planned for the 11.2-acre site in an area considered safer.

Many construction projects don't include an EIR, relying instead on a shorter alternative that addresses mitigation of potential hazards. Such an alternative had been planned for this project, but the possible historic value of the former school buildings necessitated a focused EIR.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.