Dear City Council,
You were copied on a letter that I submitted to the Planning Commission today. Please see the text of the letter below:
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Date: June 21, 2021
Dear Menlo Park Planning Commission:
As you meet today to consider Item F2 (the Greystar project) and the “amenities” associated with said project, I have serious concerns about how development is being deployed in Menlo Park.
The residents of District 1 have been impacted the most by the development, yet there are no commensurate improvements in our residential area. For years we have asked for utilities to be put underground, streetscape improvements in the form of new sidewalks, uniform lighting and landscaping along the sidewalks. Such improvements are the things that cities do and it is not unreasonable to expect them. Nonetheless, after multiple billions of dollars of property value have been created in the commercial areas, the affected residential area remains neglected.
The way the development in District 1 is being handled is further entrenching many of the systemic problems the City has perpetuated for many decades. I challenge everyone to look at the grossly disproportionate distribution of the new high-density housing projects, look at where the city is placing the majority of all forms of affordable housing. The practices are suppressing residential property values in District 1 while continuing to protect and preserve value in other parts of our City. High density housing at all price points must be distributed throughout all parts of Menlo Park. Instead of distributing all types of housing equitably throughout our city, the current land practices have become what I will call Redlining 2.0. Once again, the red line has been drawn around the Belle Haven neighborhood.
Often the interests of some of the developers and the City are aligned at the expense of the impacted residents. The City needs the revenue generated by development and the developers need to meet the City’s demands in order to build their extremely profitable projects. This situation is further complicated by the fact that many local nonprofit organizations are funded by the developers. The possible conflicts of interest are rarely revealed and usually discovered after the fact. When it is all said and done, the funds are allocated at the expense of Belle Haven, the residential neighborhood most impacted by the development. We must employ more transparency, equity and accountability when vetting these development projects.
When I bring up concerns about how the General Plan was updated and the Connect Menlo process, I am met with responses that indicate an inability to make changes due to the dictates of the plans. I would be remiss not to remind the Commission, City Staff and Elected Officials that if a nation can amend a constitution, a city can amend a general plan. As a 20 year resident of this city who has spent countless hours advocating for the equitable treatment of residents, I am concerned about the health and safety of residents due to the improper management of the impacts from the development that has already occurred. Furthermore, I am concerned that the revenue streams associated with development and cherished by so many, could be in jeopardy.
COVID-19 caused the whole world to pivot in order to sustain what is most important. What will it take for Menlo Park to pivot so that all of Menlo Park is able to thrive?
On June 1, 2021 I submitted a letter public letter to the City on its website. The letter outlines questions about how the revenue from development is being allocated in Menlo Park, states the need for significant capital improvements in the residential area of Belle Haven and even provides a visual example of how another major development project provided some cohesive financial transparency to the public. I mention this letter only to show development concerns continue to be documented for the public to see.
I want to thank all of you for the many hours that you volunteer in service to our city. The last time I watched a Planning Commission Meeting you voted to approve the new Menlo Park Community Center Campus. The Community Campus was a labor of love. Residents did the volunteer work for many years to collaborate with Facebook in the genesis of the whole project. The City then joined to receive the gift and ensure the project clears all hurdles so that it can come to fruition. I end with this example only to show that development can provide benefits to all parties involved. It is imperative that Menlo Park manage development in a more responsible manner. Perhaps now is time to pivot in order to sustain what is most important to the life of this city.
Best Regards,
Sheryl Bims
Menlo Park Resident
Cc: Menlo Park City Council
Menlo Park City Staff
Menlo Park Housing Commission
Belle Haven Neighborhood Association
Belle Haven Action
Menlo Together
