Dear Mayor Mueller and Members of the City Council,
We have managed housing in Menlo Park and San Mateo County for many years. While we recognize we face significant housing
challenges, we oppose Alternative B, the Tenant Relocation Ordinance as proposed by the Housing Commission and modified by Mayor
Pro Tem Nash and Councilmember Taylor.
Alternative B, which requires relocation payments to tenants following a rent increase or at the end of a tenancy, is nothing more
than a form of rent control. With such a strict regulation, many of Menlo Park’s “mom and pop” housing providers will likely
reconsider whether they continue to provide housing.
As a responsible housing provider, we are definitely supportive of the city’s efforts to explore ways to address our region’s
housing crisis. Menlo Park was a leader in the county as the first city to adopt a minimum lease terms requirement and has been
studying balanced solutions to mitigate the community’s housing challenges.
Let’s ensure safeguards are in place to protect residents who might suffer a significant financial setback if they are forced to
move as the result of a demolition or redevelopment of their rental unit. I urge you to look carefully at Alternative A -- the
proposed relocation assistance policy that is aimed at helping families who are displaced because of their unit being redeveloped
or removed from the rental market.
If the intent is to help vulnerable members of the community who are facing housing emergencies, then the best approach is to
collectively pursue emergency housing assistance programs like the proposed relocation fund that could be funded by the
community-at large vs. a specific class of small business owners.
Menlo Park does not need policies that function as a form of rent control and would only deter rental housing providers from
continuing to offer homes for rent.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rick Dodson
Property Manager
Dalton Realty
Rick Dodson
BRE - 00933204
Property Manager
rick@daltonmngt.com [rick@daltonrealty.com]
Dalton Realty|www.daltonmngt.com [http://www.daltonrealty.com/]
510 Waverley Street Palo Alto, CA 94301
650.321.1711o |650.327.2383f
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