Dear Menlo Park Council,
I am a long time downtown property owner, and a former downtown retailer,
As well as a seasoned builder of many Bay Area homes. In addition, I am the proud mother of a Menlo Park fire/medic. (2025 Menlo Park Fireman of the Year!)
I am very knowledgeable of what a potential catastrophic disaster could unfold with
This high density housing proposal shoehorned into the downtown.
I am extremely concerned about the safety of the residents as well as our first . Responders.
The downtown parking lots housing plans are not realistic, not feasible, not practical, and most of all not safe.
The way the lots are configured there is not adequate width on any of the lots
For housing. We would need to eliminate all of the
Perimeter buildings (businesses) on Oak Grove and University Drive to widen the streets for proper ingress and Egress. It would not only be a congestion issue but a safety issue for all of our first responders.This was brought up at the January fire board meeting as they were
Concerned about the safety of their firemen and women as well as evacuation
Implementation.
The way the lots sit now sandwiched in between existing buildings on Santa Cruz Ave. and Oak Grove it would only allow for two story high buildings .Are we going
Destroy 80 million dollars worth of parking spaces in exchange for only 80 units?
This is a far cry from the 365 to 425 needed units.
The Civic Center provides ample space to build higher structures and planned areas of green space for recreation and possibly a STEAM center. Children and Adults need space so they can stretch their bodies and their minds. Not only do the downtown parking lots not provide the required space , it does not have the infrastructure needed including sewer or water capacity to accommodate 600 to 750 more people.
Long before there can be RFQs ( requests or developer quotes or qualifications )
Done on any given project there needs to be thoughtful and through RFPS done, including surveying, feasibility studies, infrastructure studies, and traffic and safety
Studies. The developer may make recommendations or might reject the site as not plausible at all.
Sometimes in the pursuit of doing something we think is right we lose sight of the focus of the needs and requests of the residents in our community and ourselves. Im asking the council to look inward and be forthright and transparent about their goals and what they want their legacy to be. They will be commended for their
Efforts and honesty.
The Civic Center makes sense on so many levels. We are all looking for common sense solutions to the complex issue of affordable housing.
Lets provide a location that our community can be proud of. There is so much talent in our community and many eager residents will champion you and May even donate
Their time and talents. Wouldnt that be Amazing!
Warm Regards,
Mary Seaton
ASID Partner
CEO Cal-Interiors
cal-interiors.com
