Hi,
Unfortunately I cannot make the June 2 meeting. I have 3 major concerns.
(1) My main concern is that the initial RFP and therefore the submitted designs do not address the need for a variety of housing, especially low income (NOT defined as a percentage of the region’s average income) and the reality that most families have a car even if they use public transportation for work.
(2) How many of workers employed in businesses in Menlo Park (restaurant workers, retail clerks, auto mechanics, landscapers, CIty employees, teachers, hotel staff, many others…) were asked in person whether they could afford to and would move into the type of dense housing being considered - and maybe with parking.
(3) Menlo Park is missing the opportunity to consider upgrading all of the area between Oak Grove and Menlo Avenue by increasing the height of existing businesses to 3-4 stories and looking at all parking lots for a phased and lower density development (height limits of 3-4 stories) with increased parking to accommodate more customers, employees, and residents.
Probably many important lessons learned from all the recent developments on the train side of El Camino. And why not enough low-income apartments tucked in them?
Sincerely,
Patricia Seawell
37 year resident
1120 San Mateo Drive
Sent from my iPhone
