Dear Menlo Park City Leadership:
Im writing today to respectfully urge you to carefully consider granting the extension for the 201 El Camino Real & 612 Cambridge Ave Development Project on behalf of the neighbors that have been heavily impacted by this site over the past three years. We ask for your help to elevate the accountability of the property owner in two things: (1) keep our neighborhood safe and (2) make reasonable progress on the project.
The residents of Allied Arts, particularly those on Cambridge Avenue adjacent to the site, have been significantly impacted by the neglect of the property owner who has abandoned basic upkeep/maintenance responsibilities since acquiring the parcel. To that end, we ask that the requested extension include key obligations to (1) keep our neighbood safe including:
* Identify a responsive point of contact (POC) to represent the new owners and address concerns
* Keep property locked, secure and safe from squatters
* Ensure utilities are properly maintained - trash enclosures locked, lights off
* Keep leaf litter, trash and debris clear from storm drains so they don’t backup and flood our streets
* Keep parking lot, and site overall, clear of trash
* Keep all trees on property in good health
To ensure the above and elevate the connection to our community, we hope the Council will also hold the developer accountable to this extended timeline so that they (2) make reasonable progress on the project by:
* Setting clear milestones for the project that are shared with neighbors via the POC, with consequences if not met or neighborhood safety is jeopardized again (as outlined in (1))
* Prohibiting another extension
We are a hardworking and close community that has had to take responsibility for the neglect of the property owner of 201 El Camino Real & 612 Cambridge Ave over the past three years. As you consider the future of this property, we also ask that you consider the hours we have spent cleaning storm drains, trimming trees, working with public safety officers, cleaning trash, facing abusive language, and more on a site that once brought so much of us joy. This labor was spent by so many to protect our families and safeguard our neighbors with the promise of a brighter future for this site - a site that’s future will be guided by your direction tomorrow night.
With respect and hope -
Erin Cooke
628 Cambridge Avenue
