Dear Councilmembers,
In addition to sharing my preferred options for tomorrows 600 Santa Cruz Ave discussion earlier today I’d like to suggest the Council also consider today’s article on the front page of the Palo Alto Daily Post about the negative feedback San Carlos leadership is getting from their downtown business owners and citizenry about the block of Laurel St. that remains closed to all but foot traffic after six years.
The article’s headline is “Businesses want their street back”. It describes a recent meeting between town officials and about 50 concerned citizens and business owners.
We sometimes hear one or more councilmembers point to San Carlos as an example of things done right in the name of shopping district vibrancy and housing.
Perhaps local business district street closures have outlived their usefulness.
Again, I’m for Option 3 or maybe Option 2 but not Option 1.
Best regards,
Rich Wipfler
1045 Valparaiso Ave
MP
> On Oct 12, 2026, at 10:13 AM, Rich Wipfler wrote:
>
> Greetings Mayor and Councilmembers,
>
> Thank you for arranging a public discussion of the referenced topic. Please accept this input for your consideration at tomorrow’s City Council meeting.
>
> As a District 4 Menlo Park resident since 1978 who can walk to Downtown within 5 minutes but who finds himself driving northbound to and through Downtown I’m very much interested in having the 600 block of Santa Cruz Ave. permanently reopened to northbound vehicle traffic.
>
> I vote in favor of either Option 3 or Option 2.
>
> Between those two options Im slightly in favor of the less expensive one, Option 3.
>
> Im strongly against Option 1 because it continues to strangle northbound vehicle traffic from Downtown toward El Camino Real and beyond, limiting such flow at busy times to the two adjacent streets, Oak Grove Ave. and Menlo Ave. This makes our Downtown a much less accessible and vibrant destination.
>
> At less busy times Option 1 still adds to Northbound driving time, increasing the City’s carbon footprint. It negatively impacts our local merchants on or near the 600 block of Santa Cruz Ave.
>
> Finally, Option 1 will also require significant City upkeep with the proposed addition of City maintenance staff. This qualifies as needless and wasteful discretionary spending.
>
> Occasional daily Downtown street closures for special City events are of course still welcome under plans for Options 3 and 2.
>
> Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Rich Wipfler
> 1045 Valparaiso Ave
> MP
