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Published on 11/17/1999 All articles from this issue

MV should negotiate over reservoir

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Editorial

Los Altos residents find themselves in an unfortunate situation. Their neighborhood surrounds a reservoir owned by the city of Mountain View. For years, Los Altans endured the presence of this 1940s-era reservoir, as well as trash and other debris in its environs.

Now Mountain View, which technically does not require the blessing of Los Altos residents, wants to build another reservoir - three times the size of the current one - at the site, located off Miramonte Avenue near Stanley Avenue.

Mountain View officials have good reasons for building the reservoir. They need an emergency water supply in the case of an earthquake, fire or other disaster. But the Los Altos residents whose neighborhood encircles the site see the new reservoir as a potential disaster. Despite assurances to the contrary, some residents, who still remember a 1998 waterline break on nearby Stanley Avenue, worry about the impact a 3-million gallon flood would have on their neighborhood.

Residents voiced their concerns to Los Altos council members at last week's meeting, where Mountain View officials explained their need for the project. For Los Altans, the big question is: Is it possible to stop another municipality from building a project on its own land?

Of course, one way to try to prevent the construction is costly litigation, which would be bad for both the cities of Los Altos and Mountain View. Perhaps a better solution can be reached through thoughtful, open discussions spearheaded by our city council. Negotiations might result in persuading Mountain View to consider another reservoir site, perhaps completely underground at Cuesta Park. At the very least, Mountain View officials should consider improved safety at the existing site.

Apparently, Mountain View officials did only a preliminary review of other locations for the new reservoir before deciding to build at the current reservoir site off Miramonte Avenue. Mountain View sees the current site as the most appropriate and least expensive option. After all, a new reservoir could be built next to an already existing one, and building one partially above ground would cost much less.

But what Mountain View saves in funding could cost the city in its relationship with the city of Los Altos. Los Altans are already fuming because they perceive the chosen site as a done deal and that Mountain View officials were "doing Los Altos residents a favor" by informing them of the design and construction plans.

We recommend that before going forward, Mountain View negotiate further with the Los Altos City Council and residents on whether all possible safety measures have been taken for the current Miramonte site.