Dear Councilmember Nash and the Menlo Park City Council,
My name is Joey Manahan, and I am in strong opposition to the resolution declaring downtown Parking Plazas 1, 2 and 3 as exempt surplus land and the development of 345 units of public housing on these lots.
I am a long time resident of Menlo Park and have worked on housing policies such as inclusionary zoning with national experts. Based on experience, I know the housing project being considered is a regional solution that is intended for a much larger more densely populated urban area with limited land space like Honolulu, Seattle, or San Francisco as opposed to a suburban neighborhood such as Menlo Park. I was shocked to see that the Menlo Council would consider adopting such policies and question why the Council is creating density where it is not needed not to mention shouldering the housing burden for San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
Where is the needs assessment, alternatives analysis, traffic control plan, and the point in time count to justify 345 public housing units in the Heart of Downtown Menlo Park that will further gentrify our businesses? There are plenty of alternatives to provide housing solutions that meet the State’s requirements without having to approve new developments, has the Menlo Park Council considered any alternatives? Do we have the infrastructure, necessary human services, and the property tax base to support a housing project of this magnitude on a going forward basis? Is there an off ramp down the road?
One final observation on process. The resolution is an omnibus resolution with a series of staff recommended authorizations driven by staff who are motivated by State policy to spend down State grants and matching funds. The Council only has to declare the parking lots as “surplus exempt”with only one public hearing (again with no other alternatives being considered) which does not give much thought or consideration to our area residents and businesses. The resolution has already been tentatively approved by the State to receive funding. This is not Menlo Park driven, and not consistent with the General Plan.
Please do not approve the resolution that will enable the development of 345 housing units in the heart of downtown Menlo Park.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Sent from my iPhone
