August 15, 2018
Corinna D Sandmeier
Planning Department
City of Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA 94025
RE: Planning Department recommendations to add two units, allow reductions in required number of parking places, allow building in
the setbacks, and allow increased density in
condo-conversion project at 975 Florence Lane.
Dear Ms. Sandmeier,
After talking to many of the owners in the neighborhood, the response is overwhelmingly against any project that allows a
reduction in the required parking, and building into the setbacks. We want to see the project stay within the existing zoning
regulations, without exemptions, to be comfortable with the project. The structures are already nonconforming in many regards, so
to make recommendations allowing the project to be even more nonconforming goes against why we have a planning department, and
zoning ordinances in the first place.
Presently a petition is being circulated in opposition to any reduction in the required parking spaces, building into the
setbacks, and increasing the density. The planning department needs to refocus the direction of this project, towards strictly
enforcing the zoning requirements, without granting exceptions. It would be in everyone’s best interest to come up with a plan
that is acceptable to all parties, before more time is spent on this.
As you mentioned, you were not aware that the police parking division grants street parking permits in the R3 district if upon
inspection, there are not enough required parking places in a complex. This fact alone should make the planning department rethink
their position on the project. The planning department cannot make an irreversible mistake, that will effect the entire
neighborhood. The planning department should strictly enforce the zoning regulations, and above all, do no harm.
Now that parking is not allowed on University Avenue, due to the addition of the bicycle lanes, people who used to park on
University, are now parking on Florence Lane. This is another point that I believe the planning department has completely
overlooked.
I have lived on this street for over twenty years, raised my children on this street, and improved the neighborhood with the
addition of my two single family condominium homes that meet the zoning regulations. I am proud of these homes, have a significant
investment in the neighborhood, and do not want to see the neighborhood changed in a negative way, due to allowing development
that does not meet zoning regulations.
Respectfully submitted ,
Noel Smith
1015/1017 Florence Lane
Menlo Park, CA 94025
