Dear Council,
I thank you for your service.
I am writing as a 32 year resident (okay i cheated for 2 yrs and lived in San Mateo it was awful came running back) this to express concern as to the proposal to eliminate or alter the one block closure from starbucks to left bank.
These two outdoor dining areas are regularly in use and add to the enjoyment of downtown.
The additional picnic table area in front of the new Indian restaurant and Starbucks are also well used and enjoyed.
I would request the ceasing of using outside consulting firms for town planning purposes. I have worked for and been subjected to the use of consulting firms throughout my work life. They are not capable of looking at a scenario and NOT recommending change. They do not appear to be earning their money unless they are coming in and upsetting apple carts. Trust me the only business consulting firms are in is not helping their clients get better, but instead causing just enough chaos to keep the client thinking they are needed for more consulting.
Please help keep this part of downtown as it is. It is appreciated and enjoyed...the addition of the Bon Marche is also wonderful in that space. It is quite small already the idea to make it smaller is not useful.
Something to work on...convince Off The Grid to return to the Menlo Park train station area.
Use this sant Cruz ave area to host movie nights as they did for a short period on the side street by Starbucks.
Removing places and events that bring the town together is bad paid for "advice". Free advice - stop using consulting firms that make the council feel bad about our great little town. We are an amazing place to live. We dont need to be like any other town in the Bay Area. They need to be more like us.
Thank you.
Sincerely
Katherine Arthurs
