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Briefs: Sobrato proposes research complex in Menlo Park

by Sandy Brundage

The environmental review of a proposed complex spanning 151 Commonwealth Drive and 164 Jefferson Drive has started. The Menlo Park Planning Commission scheduled a scoping session for Aug. 20 on the project's environmental impact report.

Sobrato plans to build two four-story research and development buildings totaling 259,919 square feet on 13.3 acres after demolishing structures currently on the site.

Since the height of the buildings would exceed 35 feet, the developer is requesting that the site zoning be changed from general industrial (M-2) to general industrial with conditional development (M-2-X).

Go to tinyurl.com/MP-Common to review reports associated with the project on the city's website.

PG&E construction

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) started replacing a segment of a 24-inch gas pipeline on westbound Sand Hill Road between Sand Hill Circle and Branner Drive on Wednesday night in Menlo Park.

A segment of pipe across Alpine Road, south of Sand Hill Road, will also be replaced.

The city said construction should finish by the end of October. According to Public Works Director Chip Taylor, the work will primarily take place between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to minimize traffic impact.

Since the city has directed the utility company to restore the portion of Sand Hill Road within the project boundaries, "PG&E will be required to grind the entire westbound side of Sand Hill Road, not just the area of their trench, and replace it with 3 inches of new pavement to restore the entire roadway in a uniform manner," Mr. Taylor said in a press release.

PG&E will also evaluate nighttime noise levels at residences near Branner Drive. If the levels are too high, it will complete that portion of the pipeline replacement during the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the city.

For more information, call PG&E at 1-888-743-7431.

Dumbarton Bridge

The entire Dumbarton Bridge will be closed to all types of traffic starting at 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The closure will let construction crews replace the existing expansion joint that spans all lanes with a joint designed to absorb and dissipate energy during an earthquake.

Rosewood hires

Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park has hired a new spa director, according to a press release.

Laura Krohn has degrees in public health and nutrition from San Jose State University and is a certified massage therapist, personal trainer and lifestyle counselor, the press release said. She also has extensive experience nationally and internationally in spa program development.

Candidate Bragg

Firefighter Dave Bragg will be available for coffee, questions, and weighty discussions of Menlo Park's future on Tuesday, Aug. 21. Meet the Menlo Park City Council candidate from 11 a.m. to noon at Lutticken's at 3535 Alameda de las Pulgas in West Menlo Park.