I am utterly opposed to approval of this project because:.
• It is grotesquely oversized and downright ugly.
• It is beside the creek: the only naturally flowing creek in the county that is home to various endangered or protected species.
• Increased impermeable surfaces add to flood threats and pollution upstream and downstream
• Such a large structure would be a night sky pollution source and the amount of glass likely would be a significant hazard for birds who migrate and feed at the Baylands
• Much of the land adjacent to San Francisquito Creek is subject to liquifaction
• It would destroy what were beautiful gardens and eliminate a building with historical value to this part of California
• I doubt that MPFD has the equipment that such a project would require
• In the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophe there is no valid evacuation route
• Putting a huge structure where hundreds if not thousands of people would congregate at a location where traffic is already a nightmare would be insane
• It would be completely out of character with the present buildings in the vicinity
• Since part of it is reportedly to be commercial this would exacerbate commercial/housing imbalance
• The size of this building might mean many young families living there, which could put a gigantic burden on local schools
• I doubt that there is sufficient sewer infrastructure to serve such a large project
• Water is a precious commodity especially given the impact of climate change and this project would put a huge burden on the local supply
• The “Icing on the Cake” is that it is reportedly owned by a Russian Oligarch. The City should be hostile to such ownership of a site that used to epitomize what is good and special about California.
• The project does absolutely nothing for the City of Menlo Park or its residents: it just takes advantage and gives nothing except problems for the city, the county, and for people who have lived here and paid taxes for decades.
• People who live/work/shop/recreate in the vicinity should be able to have a say in what gets erected in their area. I doubt that anyone is in favor of what is proposed and since the City is in compliance with the State requirements why on earth would they approve such a grotesque project?
BOTTOM LINE: THIS PROPOSED PROJECT IS AN OBSCENITY
