City commissions examine community center site planning

Ellie Van Houtte/Town Crier
City commissioners convened last week to discuss site plans to replace the aging Hillview Community Center.

Members of five Los Altos commissions collaborated last week to determine how and where to fit the various elements of a new community center within the civic center campus.

According to Erica Ray, Los Altos public information coordinator, approximately 20 members representing the city’s Planning and Transportation (PTC), Historical, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory (BPAC), Library and Environmental commissions convened April 16 to discuss placing a new 55,600-square-foot structure within the same general area occupied by the aging Hillview Community Center. The meeting preceded the public-input session scheduled 7 p.m. today at Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Rd. to discuss placement of a new community center with preselected residents, groups and business owners.

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City considers familiar spot for summer's State St. Green

Town Crier File Photo
Last years’s State Street Green may return after Safeway officials asked the city to close the intersection at First and State streets.

State Street may go green again – and soon. The State Street Green, the temporary urban park set up downtown last summer, could return as early as next month, according to city officials.

Erica Ray, Los Altos public information coordinator, told the Town Crier that the city is in discussions with merchants along State Street between First and Second streets to bring back the green to their block for a three-week period starting in late May. A final decision is expected sometime this week, she said. If approved, the park would be open to the public May 27 through June 13.

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Tri-city sewer system upgrade kicks off Saturday

Ellie Van Houtte/Town Crier
A tri-city sewer main repair project launches Saturday, requiring some lane closures and traffic rerouting along El Monte Avenue.

A sewer main repair project that includes the cities of Los Altos, Mountain View and Palo Alto is scheduled to begin Saturday and will require some lane closures into June.

The project encompasses repairs on El Monte Avenue between Spargur Drive and Marich Way, segments of the San Antonio Frontage Road, areas under Highway 101 at the San Antonio Road on- and off-ramps and the intersection of San Antonio Road and Bayshore Parkway.

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Police Blotter

Deputies arrest burglary suspects

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested three men in connection with burglaries in Los Altos Hills and Saratoga following a high-speed chase that ended at Foothill College Thursday.

Deputies arrested San Francisco resident Antonio Harry, 23; Richmond resident Jalil Jones, 20; and 24-year-old Dominiq Wright of Pittsburg after a Los Altos Hills resident contacted sheriff’s deputies to report a suspicious person on the 13000 block of Robleda Road.

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LAH council discusses recording committee meetings

Harpootlian

Before John Harpootlian became a member of the Los Altos Hills City Council, he videotaped many council and committee meetings to share with the public. His efforts eventually led the town to initiate recording council meetings on video as a public service.

“Sometimes it’s just easier to be on the tower looking for icebergs than rearranging deck chairs,” said Harpootlian, explaining how recording meetings supplements the traditional publication of minutes on the town’s website.

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Judge denies legal fees for charter school

A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge last week denied Bullis Charter School’s request for reimbursement of legal fees from the Los Altos School District resulting from a lawsuit seeking reasonably equivalent facilities.

The charter school filed the motion in December 2012 after receiving a favorable ruling from the Court of Appeal on the previous facilities lawsuit. The motion asked the court to compel the district to pay the charter school’s attorney fees related to that case. As of October, the fees totaled approximately $1.53 million.

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