To: The Menlo Park City Council May 21st 2018 Regarding the proposal of the “new” main Menlo Park library relocation. I vote for keeping the proposed “new” library at its current Alma site. Moving it to the proposed Laurel site creates unnecessary issues. If the Alma site of the existing library is converted to affordable housing this will greatly impact the Linfield Oaks neighborhood by increasing traffic on the side streets leading from Laurel onto Willow and Middlefield where many cars already drive above the speed limit because only some of these side streets have speed bumps to slow them down. With increased traffic will more speed bumps be installed? What if any specific traffic study simulations been carried out to assess this potential traffic impact on these neighborhood streets? This relocation from the current site will require the removal of the mature oak tree. If any of these are heritage trees their removal is in conflict with Menlo Park’s image and the Planning and Building Department’s code, that requires homeowners maintain in a healthy condition heritage trees on their property and with neighbor’s property (if heritage trees are close to the construction) during any remodeling. Since 1992 I have enjoyed the library upgrade on the current site. I use the library on a regular basis, attending events, and borrowing books and other media. Not once have felt there was insufficient space for the events I have attended or book browsing. Of the regular events held at the main Menlo Park library which events are experiencing space issues? If this is an issue surely it can be addressed in a less disruptive way than moving the library to the alternate site. The only goal I see this relocation will achieve is to fulfill some State quota for additional affordable housing. However, at the cost of impacting the quality of life in the surrounding Menlo Park neighborhoods Sincerely, Lisa Williams 425 Claremont Way, Menlo Park Received on Mon May 21 2018 - 21:59:12 PDT
