To Menlo Park City Council:
These questions and comments relate to item H2 on the agenda for the Tuesday, 3/1 special meeting. My concerns relate to the proposed adoption of the resolution to install no parking restrictions on a portion of El Camino Real and timed parking restrictions on a portion of College Avenue. Note, all the parking on College Ave is RESTRICTED BY RESIDENTIAL PERMIT.
First and foremost, for retail tenants located on that street corner (Gator Tech, Namesake Cheesecake, Menlo Velo, Level Lux Hairstudio, etc.) the only parking available is on El Camino in front of their stores (this will negatively impact them and subsequently the landlords).
To make up for the removal of the parking in front of these store fronts, the City has proposed timed parking restrictions on College Ave. The problem with this proposal is those parking spots are for residents only. So in reality the City has removed 8 spots and added ZERO (see screenshot below and asterisks around the College Ave parking).
[Screen Shot 2022-02-28 at 9.52.11 AM.png]
So the City and its Staff observed parking on two separate days and concluded parking was not utilized? There's 365 days in a year and it was done in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is hardly a reliable data point. I depend on the rental income paid to me by Gator Tech for my retirement and their lease is up for renewal in a few days. This adoption could have extreme negative ramifications for me and my wife. I wish the Staff would reconsider this item and take a new vote or find a better alternative to the timed parking restrictions proposed on College Avenue.
One final item, I have meticulously retained all fliers and notices relating to this proposal as well as the Middle Plaza Project. And therefore I would also like to call into question the City's notification relating to the H2 Adoption Item. The earliest fliers make no mention of this parking removal.
I will be tuning in at 5:30pm on 3/1 and wish for my voice to be heard.
Best Regards,
Frank Schumann
Owner of Building at 417 El Camino Real
