By Tim Seyfert

Before groundbreaking on the new Los Altos Hills Town Hall begins next spring, the neighboring Purissima Hills Water District plans to embark on a construction project of its own.

The water district continued its ongoing negotiations with the town last week to gain approval to build a facility separate from the new town hall structure.

The existing water district facility, the base of operation since 1963, shares the same parcel and sits adjacent to the present town hall building.

Water district officials said they want to construct a new building near the property’s Esperanza Drive parking lot.

District director Dan Seidel said the key motivation behind the new water district building stems from the existing structure’s “lack of space.”

Seidel also noted the siting of the town hall would most likely necessitate the water district constructing a new facility separate from the new town hall, which could spell higher water rates for customers.

“We have reserves that will be used, but ultimately the costs will be covered through the rate payers,” Seidel said. “That’s the way it is with public utilities.”

Town officials, meanwhile, are still weighing the options. One alternative being considered is to keep the water district office on the same site as the new town hall.

“I believe many feel that a town/district location on the same site is a better customer service and more logical siting for public agencies,” City Manager Maureen Cassingham said.

On the discussion table, according to town staff, are two possibilities - granting the district a new ground lease for continued use of its current site or giving them the go-ahead for the construction of a new facility.

Negotiations are scheduled to continue in closed session.

Neither side would comment on whether a ruling was on the horizon.