CC 12-05-2023 Item No. 13. Update on Vallco SB 35 Project_Supplemental Report1
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
SUPPLEMENTAL 1
Meeting: December 5, 2023
Agenda Item 13
Subject
Update regarding Vallco’s SB 35 project approval
Recommended Action
None
Background:
Staff’s responses to questions received from Councilmember Moore are shown in
italics.
Q1: The soil vapor sampling appears to have been in a random pattern as opposed to a
grid, how was this method selected? (Moore)
Staff response: The soil vapor sampling locations are selected by the property owner’s consultant
under Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health oversight. More information
about the purpose of the soil vapor investigation is available on Geotracker (Additional Expanded
Soil Gas Investigation, Dec. 10, 2021).
Q2: The Construction Management Plan from February 22 indicates that the PCE
(Tetrachloroethylene) found onsite at various locations is assumed to have come from
offsite (not referring to the PCE at Sears Automotive). Is it reasonable to conclude that one
of these offsite sources has released enough PCE to have contaminated the Vallco site
(leaving aside the onsite sources of PCBs, PCE, Benzene, etc.) to the extent that it would
be prudent for these sites, like the Holiday Cleaners (which also has an open remediation
case), to begin an investigation? Is there something which would encourage the site or
sites which have contaminated the Vallco site to begin mitigation? (Moore)
Staff response: In the absence of a regulatory directive, offsite migration of contamination would
typically be addressed by impacted private parties (e.g., property owners, tenants).
2
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Albert Salvador, Special Project Executive
Reviewed by: Matt Morley, Assistant City Manager
Christopher D. Jensen, City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Attachments:
A – None