I’d like to add to my previous message.
The housing provided by this project would be life-changing for low income,
essential workers like me. I am a preschool teacher in Menlo Park. I live
in a below market rate rental a few blocks from Santa Cruz Ave. It’s great
because I can walk to work and to run almost all of my errands. I only need
to take out my car for professional trainings and to visit family and
friends who live further away. This housing allows people like me to save
money to further our educations, pay off debt and to buy below market rate
homes that become available.
I urge you to do everything you can to ensure that the parking plazas are
turned into below market rate housing with parking underneath. That can
meet everyone’s needs.
Thank you.
Sent from iPhone. Please excuse auto “corrections”.
On Sun, Nov 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM Kristen L wrote:
> Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
>
> The City should order an Elections Code section 9212 report of the
> Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance. The Ordinance reduces the city’s ability
> to meet the goals of its specific plan to build the number of below market
> rate housing units required by state law and to increase the availability
> of housing, especially below market rate housing, near public transit hubs.
> It’s easy to ensure that parking remains available and convenient on the
> ground level by including many openings through the structure in the
> building plans. There would only be a loss of parking spaces during
> construction and parking spaces can be included on the bottom few levels of
> the buildings with below market rate homes built on top. With the new
> buildings, there can be even more, convenient parking available for
> businesses than there is now!
>
> I find it ironic that the Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance isn’t trying
> to save paradise from putting up a parking lot, but trying to save a
> parking lot from putting up people’s homes.
>
> Hopefully,
> Kristen Leep
> A 40 year Menlo Park resident
>
>
> Sent from iPhone. Please excuse auto “corrections”.
>
