Dear Menlo Park City Council Members,
My name is Rick Onorato, my family has lived in Menlo Park since 1962 and I own commercial property in the downtown area. I am very concerned about the plans to convert three public parking lots to 450 units of low level affordable housing that I was just informed about.
This issue has been brought up before- about 5-10 years back, had very little support and was shelved. This was and still is a very bad idea that would have severe impacts on our local businesses and citizens. As you know parking is already difficult to find in the downtown area, bringing in more housing will only magnify the problem. With all due respect if you wish to continue opening this "can of worms" I would urge you to allow more public input and complete more studies on the impact this would have. I guarantee this is NOT what the majority wants. I think the only reason you are not getting more pushback regarding this is that the public has has not been properly notified.
I may be just another "old guy" to you but Ive learned in my years that change isnt always for the better and if it aint broke - dont fix it! I truly love this town and ask that you slow down this process to hear all sides of this issue.
Sincerely,
Rick Onorato
370 August Circle
Menlo Park
