Dear City Council Members,
As a small business owner in Menlo Park I would like to voice my strong support for the reopening of the 600 block of Santa Cruz Ave.
I walk by the block often and it seems unnecessary with all of the many parklettes to still have the street itself closed to thru traffic.
It also appears that the businesses located there are getting favored treatment that other businesses do not enjoy. I dont believe they have a charge from the city for those extra thousands of square feet they are using? If those businesses need more outdoor space then perhaps consider allowing them to encroach on the parking area behind their businesses like you see in nearby places like Redwood City, Burlingame, and Palo Alto. It would be a lot more pleasant for them to create something more permanent with trees and what not out back instead of being in the street.
I think we really need to look at it as if the pandemic had never happened the street would still be open.. please consider the reopening of the street for general traffic purposes, bike riders, delivery vehicles, etc.
I would also hope that a design standard would be implemented for the parkelettes as they are a bit chaotic and look in general unsafe. I know they were allowed to be thrown up to help the restaurants with an immediate need at the time but moving forward if they will still have them it should fit a design and construction standard like any construction project that would happen in Menlo Park.
I know Palo Alto has been working on their parklette design and construction standards as well and I hope Menlo Park will follow suit.
Thank you,
Keith Quiggins
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844 Santa Cruz Ave. • Menlo Park, CA 94025
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