Dear Menlo Park City Council,
My name is Barbara Gale and I live on Middle Ave.
I’m writing to express my support for using city-owned land (surface parking lots 1, 2, and 3) for abundant and deeply affordable housing in Menlo Park. The lack of available affordable homes in our community is at a crucial point and will only worsen if steps are not taken now. We are already seeing this trend with both service people and professional people - my housekeeper moved to Morgan Hill as she can no longer afford to live in this area. It is difficult to get veterinary appointments as many veterinarians have moved out of our expensive area. What will happen when even fewer nurses and doctors are able to live here - who will deliver the healthcare that is vital to people of ALL ages?
As you may already know, city-owned land is one of the best available resources Menlo Park has when it comes to building 100% affordable homes in our city. If we allow things to stay the way they are, our city, small businesses, and school districts will continue to struggle to attract and retain talent because of the lack of affordable homes. Our children will keep having a hard time putting down roots, building their careers, and creating the strong extended family bonds that we collectively enjoy. Seniors will continue to have difficulty finding a quality, safe, home that meets their needs and one that allows them to age in place. Placing affordable homes on our downtown surface parking lots can be a solution, but only if you choose to support it.
Thank you for your continued leadership. I urge you support the use of surface parking lots 1, 2, and 3 for deeply affordable homes.
Sincerely,
Barbara Gale
