Hi there,
I am writing to express my concern about the limited parking options for renters and their visitors living on Coleman Ave in Menlo Park.
This evening, I was berated, unprompted, by a resident living at 415 Santa Monica Ave.
I was looking for parking on Santa Monica Ave, near to the Menlo Oaks Apartment complex on Coleman Ave where my partner lives. I heard a voice yelling as I drove by, and it took me a few seconds to register that she was yelling—at the top of her lungs—at me. She was standing in front of her house, yelling, “YOU CAN’T PARK HERE!! YOU CAN’T PARK HERE!!” Having previously reviewed the parking ordinances, I knew that I *could* park there with a permit, so I slowly parked in a spot across the street from her house, and got out of my car. She came into the street to yell in my face, “YOU CAN’T PARK HERE. YOU DON’T HAVE A PERMIT. I’M CALLING THE POLICE.” I explained that in fact, I did have a permit. She continued, “YOU PEOPLE CAN’T PARK HERE. YOU NEED TO MOVE YOUR TRUCKS. YOU DON’T PAY TAXES.” I explained, I do pay taxes, and the truck she was gesturing at was not my truck. She went on, spitting, “YOU DON’T PAY PROPERTY TAXES. YOU RENT.” I asked her if she stood out in the street all night yelling at people.
Needless to say, this was a very unpleasant interaction.
I understand that the Coleman Ave parking closure was decided in order to protect kids and parents biking to school—as a recreational biker myself, I appreciate this desire for safety. However, this has left residents and visitors of the apartment complexes on Coleman Ave with very few parking options. We have necessarily overflowed into the neighboring residential areas. This is neither pleasant for us (given the further walking distance and the potential for confrontations), nor for the homeowners (as I heard very vocally tonight).
This does not seem like a sustainable situation, and something needs to change. I would appreciate the Menlo Park city council, parking enforcement, and police’s attention on this matter, to improve the parking situation, and to reduce the likelihood of future incidents like the one I just shared.
Thank you for your consideration, and your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Katie C.
