To the Chair and the Vice Chair of the Planning Commission (with others BCCd),
Its exciting to see the Willow Village project coming together, and as a member of the EQC, Im heartened to see green and sustainable buildings come to life with this project. I have two questions for you which Im hoping can be discussed tonight:
1) Belle Haven Community - Can you help us collectively understand how the Belle Haven community leaders have been involved in the planning process? What have they asked for, and how can we ensure their needs will be met as part of this project?
I have been learning more about Menlo Parks history, including historical lack representation by the Belle Haven neighborhood on the City Council and related impacts through Councilmember Taylors talk at the recent Climate Summit (she speaks at ~38.5 minutes) and through our recent Community Collaboration Session with Juanita Croft and Pam D Jones (the second one is tonight at 6pm via Zoom...pls join us...https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86289927086). As I learn more about our history and the negative impact that long ago decisions still have on this part of our community, I am aware of a heightened need for inclusion of the voices of the Belle Haven community in this process.
My hope is that this project will provide long-needed services to the Belle Haven community. And my fear is that the services provided wont actually meet the needs of people who have lived in this neighborhood for generations, and that the "unavoidable impacts" of this project will disproportionately affect the community that has long been suffering from increased traffic, lack of (relevant) services, and poor air quality. I also wonder how we might include a path to home ownership for residents who are currently renting as part of this Willow Village project.
2) Trees - Can we find creative ways to save a higher percentage of the trees, particularly the heritage trees, as we proceed?
While I appreciate the need to grade for resiliency against sea level rise, and I appreciate that trees would be unharmed until building permits are issued, I have to say that my heart absolutely sank when I saw the number of trees (865) that would be removed as part of this project, 295 of which are heritage trees. I see that new landscaping will go in, including trees, once the building is complete, but it takes a long time to grow a mature tree. One of the things were working toward as the Trees and Sustainable Initiatives subcommittee of the EQC is working to EXPAND our urban forest, particularly in the Belle Haven neighborhood. Removing 865 trees would take us in the opposite direction, and I would like to see us be more creative in saving our trees so that we can preserve and expand our urban canopy, with all the benefits that brings.
Thank you for hearing my concerns,
Nancy Larocca Hedley
Environmental Quality Commissioner
Allied Arts resident
