Stanford's robust growth has come partially at the expense of Menlo Park in terms of noise pollution, traffic congestion, lost time in local commuting, and deteriorated air quality. Stanford comes to Menlo Park asking the city to approve construction projects and what does Menlo Park get in return? Not much. In 2003 Stanford entered into an agreement with the City of Menlo Park to do noise abatement in return for approval of the Sand Hill Road Santa Cruz Avenue intersection improvements and widening the bridge of San Francisquito Creek. The Sharon Oaks Association was covered in that agreement. However, Stanford cleverly inveigled the City Council to agree on a 24 hour average measurement. The noise is bi-modal, occurring between 7AM and 10 AM and 4 PM and 7PM on weekdays. By using this measurement it had the effect of reducing the actual increase in noise by 75%. We can correct the mistakes made in the 2003 agreement by having Stanford live up to its obligation. I am getting readings of 66 dBA to 74 dBA in my backyard because the sound wall is not high enough for today's traffic. It was perfectly adequate in 2003 when the creek bridge was only 2 lanes wide but since the revamped intersection and the widening of the creek bridge the traffic has increase proportionately with the increase in Stanford's wealth (Which has more than tripled since 2003 with an annual CAGR of 23.24%). I have nothing against Stanford making money; but when in the process of doing so it deteriorates the quality of life in Menlo Park then it must address the harm it has caused us. To allow Stanford to continuously be excused for the harm it has caused Menlo Park does a great disservice to the city you are serving. I ask that the Menlo Park City Council hold Stanford accountable and require them to cost share at 50% the cost of constructing a new sound wall for the Sharon Oaks Association for the portion of the Association on Sand Hill Road. Stanford Wealth 2016 Total Net Assets (in Millions) 36,970 2003 Total Net Assets (in Millions) 12,237 Net gain in 13 years (in Millions) 24,733 Average annual growth in assets $1.902 Billion Average weekly growth in assets $36,587,278 Average Hourly growth based on a 40 hour work week $914,681.95 VR Hank Lawrence 2441 Sharon Oaks Drive Menlo Park, CA --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus Received on Fri Aug 11 2017 - 12:48:26 PDT
