Dear Mayor Combs and City of Menlo Park Council Members:
As a Menlo Park resident, I strongly encourage the City Council to uphold the Appeal for 320 Sheridan Drive and require the Applicant to improve the project for the safety and benefit of its future residents and neighboring communities.
Most importantly, Id like to flag the following:
* Ensuring a second access for 320 Sheridan Residents via Van Buren: Please strongly consider providing future residents of 320 Sheridan Drive with the entrance and/or exit to Van Buren Road, which was originally proposed in the developer’s own Transportation Demand Management plan and in the City’s transportation analysis. The developer has publicly stated they are willing and able to create this second entrance if requested by the City and if the right-of-way is made available.
* Additionally, the City Council could even consider the potential of creating a controlled entry and exit point for 320 Sheridan which would significantly mitigate safety risks and quality of life impacts to the community. For example, 320 Sheridan Road residents could enter through Suburban Park but exit the subdivision through Flood Triangle and Van Buren Road. This would ensure that neither community is over burdened by traffic. And importantly, it would ensure two-way access in case of an emergency for first responders.
* This second entrance will not only improve safety in case of emergency, but also reduce daily commute distances and times, and greatly improve the daily quality of life for the residents of 320 Sheridan Drive as new residents of Menlo Park. As a nearby resident, I strongly recommend that the City Council members personally take time on a weekday during the school rush hour to experience the traffic congestion at Ringwood and Bay Road. On weekdays, it can be up to 20-25 minutes at the four way stop sign because of M-A high school traffic, which could drastically worsen without a second entry and/or exit point through Van Buren.
We applaud your public service and commitment to our community. Given your responsibilities to our community, I ask that you ensure that 320 Sheridan Road is planned to support the safety of its future residents and the neighboring communities that you represent.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Annabel Chang
112 Dunsmuir Way
Menlo Park, CA
Homeowner & Resident, Mother of two children
