Hi Judi and MP City Council--
I am a longtime resident of Menlo Park. I have lived in the Willows on Nash Ave. I have grave concerns regarding the proposed development project on he corner of Willow Road and Middlefield Ave.
I am writing in opposition to the N17 Development in Menlo Park. And to express my dismay at your stance that the development should be allowed to proceed.
Im sure youre familiar with the proposed scale of these buildings, and how grossly out of scale the development is, not just for Menlo Park, but for any surrounding cities between San Jose & San Francisco. Im sure you are also familiar with the arguments against the development. Ill copy some below.
But I want to start with this: It is my understanding that because of the many jobs this development would create in the office, hotel & retail space planned, despite the housing in the plan, N17 would INCREASE the housing needed in Menlo Park, NOT decrease it.
This makes no sense, and makes me think the "Builders Remedy" Senate Bill 330 was very poorly written, if it allows a development to make the situation worse instead of better.
Additionally, the N17 project would be an environmental disaster, sited directly on the north bank of a creek that is an important refuge for wildlife and for fish going to and from the bay.
And it would be a traffic disaster. The property is on the corner of Willow Rd. and Middlefield Rd. Willow is already jammed in one direction in the morning & the other in the afternoon. The hotel, office, and retail space would add to the problem all day long. Middlefield road goes down to one lane very near the Willow intersection, in both directions. The traffic problem isnt just inconvenient, its a safety issue for emergency vehicles, the nearby fire station, and access between 101 and Stanford Hospital.
Then there is a parking problem. N17 proposes only 1,461 parking spaces, just 41% of the required 3,530 spaces. They claim the location is close to public transportation. In fact, depending on the route taken, walking to the Palo Alto Caltrain station is a mile or more. Driving its 1.4 to 2.6 miles. To walk or bike, its 1.3 miles to Menlo Park station. Driving its 1.3 to 1.5 miles.
Sadly, I could go on with how problematic the N17 project is. Im asking you to use your office to help Menlo Park find a better solution, rather than assist an oligarch to build this monstrosity.
Thank you,
Verena
_________
Verena von Dehn
650 Nash Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Cell: 425-922-4724
1. Disqualification From AB 2011 Streamlining
California Assembly Bill 2011 allows for the streamlined, ministerial approval of certain affordable housing projects. However, the opposition and city attorneys argue the Willow Park development does not qualify for AB 2011 fast-tracking.
The Argument: The mixed-use high-rise proposal features a commercial hotel. Under the strict text of AB 2011, a project containing a hotel does not meet the legal definition of a pure housing development, thereby invalidating its eligibility for streamlined bypass of local zoning.
2. Environmental Impact Restrictions & CEQA Compliance
Opposition groups argue that the project is legally required to undergo a comprehensive environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) rather than receiving a fast-track exemption.
Habitat Destruction: The city formally declared that the construction would develop protected habitats for both federally and state-law protected species.
Wetlands and Creek Proximity: Because the site directly borders San Francisquito Creek, opponents argue the extreme density, excavation, and shadows from the towers pose unmitigable risks to local wetlands and protected wildlife habitat
3. Builders Remedy Ineligibility
The developer claims "Builders Remedy" protections because Menlo Park lacked an approved Housing Element plan when the preliminary application was turned in.
The Argument: The citys legal position is that California housing laws do not eliminate all local land-use authority. They argue the extreme height (up to 39 stories) and density violate critical baseline local development and safety standards that the Builders Remedy cannot legally override.
