School construction alleged to damage nearby San Mateo homes

The K-8 school is going through a few upgrades, including replacing the air conditioning system to existing buildings and installing solar shade structures. The facilities upgrade project also includes replacing the blacktop landscaping, converting existing grass to turf, reconfiguring the parking lot and the construction of a new multi-purpose room. 

The current source of strife is the likely replacement of asphalt, said Amy Ruffo, district director of Facilities and Construction. This has included drilling 80 feet down for piles to help stabilize the building due to the land's soft soil. 

Located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Mateo, the school site and houses are built upon fill dirt, which is why the construction seems to be exacerbating nearby house settling and land shifting. 

“It is like you’re in a constant earthquake, and not just like a minor earthquake, it’s like you're in a 6.0 and above earthquake,” Yountchi said. “That’s what we’ve been dealing with on a daily basis.” 

After receiving concerns from a few neighbors and surveying damage, Ruffo said it was not major.

“When we’re on expansive soil, these things do happen seasonally,” Ruffo said. “Our project could cause what we think is probably minor damage.”

Beyond the physical damage, Yountchi said the construction team has violated noise ordinances, prohibiting construction to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Also, the equipment used on site is strapped down to be secure from falling over, Ruffo said, but some chains dangle, and neighbors report hearing “banging all day and all night.” 

When the time changed and days grew longer, Ruffo said she was made aware of contractors starting too early, but quickly gave them notice, and has not heard complaints since. 

Ruffo said the majority of what has been noted are “normal construction noises.” The recent asphalt removal is “a more low rumble, ongoing vibration.” 

“We recognize that it can be inconvenient but our goal is to be done as soon as we can,” she said. 

Frustrated that the district did not acknowledge potential damage or survey the neighboring homes before construction began, Yountchi said she wants the district to pay for any repairs. She said after multiple times trying to make contact with the district, she feels she’s being avoided.  

“I have no problem with you guys putting this building there and helping the community and doing stuff for the school,” she said. “The problem that I’m having is that my property, that I own, that I put so much money into, is being destroyed. Honestly I don’t think they care.” 

Ruffo said she has told residents to document any change they may see, and the district will review it. 

“We’re all about being good neighbors,” Ruffo said.

The district held a meeting at the beginning of this calendar year, inviting neighboring communities to receive information on construction hours, duration of project and provide a space for anyone to raise concerns. Yountchi said she and her direct neighbors, who share her frustrations, did not go to this meeting. 

Though the entire project is estimated to be completed in fall 2025, by the end of this summer the majority of the “more earth moving and more shaking would be done,” Ruffo said. 

The Parkside Montessori multi-purpose room and facilities updates is just one of the several construction projects underway in the district funded by Measure T, a bond measure for $409 million approved by voters in 2020. 

ana@smdailyjournal.com

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