Dear Mayor Combs,
Thank you for your newsletter.
I am writing to express support for your perspective on the new building
codes. When I was meeting with Councilmember Wise at her office hours, I
heard a presentation by the advocates for additional building codes
established and they highlighted all the safety improvements and cost
savings that would come from additional codes.
If indeed the recommended changes carry those benefits, I dont know why a
combination of education and incentives would not attain the same results
as new regulations. Furthermore, Menlo Park already has extremely long wait
times associated with permitting and inspections for
building/remodeling, which only the largest companies seem to be able to
push through with any speed. I personally know two families where remodels
took over 2 years to complete, creating substantial cost overruns; there is
a house a block away from me (in addition to the two families mentioned)
which seems trapped in Menlo Parks regulatory purgatory as we speak, given
that work has paused for several months now.
Adding to the regulatory burden seems problematic and is, in fact, why the
California legislature recently worked to limit the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including an 8 year (I believe, I may be
off slightly on the time) pause on additional local regulations like these
(hence the rush to get these passed by October). While CEQAs name makes it
sound beneficial, there has been serious environmental and human harm done
under the law, which has slowed our states ability to respond to rising
housing demands. Given Menlo Parks own needs to increase housing overall,
as well as affordable housing, trying to slip one more set of building code
additions in before CEQA restrictions take effect seems ill-advised.
In short, I see local harm and minimal local benefit from more local
additions to the building code, especially because the changes have touted
benefits that should lead to widespread adoption in the absence of
additional regulation. Thank you for *not* joining the majority on
City Council in directing staff to return with updates to the building
code. I hope the rest of the Council will consider letting forces other
than additional regulatory burden play their role in combating climate
change.
Best,
Hanna Alix Gallagher
1221 Hobart St.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Drew Combs
Date: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Subject: July 2025 Newsletter
To: alixg1112@gmail.com
July 15, 2025 | Read Online
July 2025 Newsletter
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*Key Downtown Projects Move Forward*
Downtown was added to the city’s priority list at the city council’s
goal-planning session earlier this year. This designation indicates that
staff will prioritize projects focused on reimagining and improving the
downtown area. But of course, it will take collaboration between the city
and other important stakeholders to realize the changes to downtown that we
want to see. In recent weeks, there have been key steps toward improving
downtown, from both the city government and Menlo Church.
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Menlo Church
,
a staple of the Menlo Park community for more than 150 years, is moving
forward with a project to extensively update its outdoor area along Santa
Cruz Avenue (see top image). The goal is to make the church’s “front yard”
feel like an extension of Fremont Park across the street. There will also
be updates to the church’s student center, aimed at making the campus a
more welcoming space for parishioners and the broader Menlo Park community.
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At its meeting on July 8, the city council received
and provided feedback on a presentation about possible design improvements
to the 600 block of Santa Cruz Avenue (see bottom image). There will be
extensive community outreach before the council finalizes a design plan.
I’m excited about making this space an attractive community gathering spot.
However, I also want to emphasize that improving the look and feel of
downtown must include hardscape and design enhancements throughout the
entire area, not just on this one block. Additionally, during the council
discussion I shared my opinion that the 600 block should serve mainly as an
informal gathering place. Active programming (e.g., organized community
events) should generally take place in other downtown locations, such as
Fremont Park. I look forward to hearing your ideas for the 600 block—and
for all of downtown—in the months ahead.
*Seeking a Balanced Approach to Reach 2 Project*
In last month’s newsletter and at recent San Francisquito Creek Joint
Powers Authority (JPA) Board meetings, I shared my concerns about certain
aspects of the Reach 2 project. Many details of the project—such as the
height and location of the proposed flood walls—remain unclear, which has
limited my ability to make a more informed assessment. However, I want to
take this opportunity to share my overall thinking in greater detail.
From my perspective, the JPA staff has been most focused on appeasing
competing groups of Palo Alto residents: one group appears opposed to any
action by the JPA, especially actions that would impact their private
property, while another group believes the JPA should pursue the most
aggressive flood mitigation options.
In this environment, the JPA staff has lost sight of the specific ways in
which Menlo Park residents experience the creek and would be affected by
the proposed changes. As a result, there seems little appreciation of the
disproportionate impacts of proposals such creek widening mostly on the San
Mateo County side and repurposing a traffic lane on Woodland for flood
walls.
Recent events in Texas have further underscored the importance of having a
variety of flood mitigation and protection measures in place. As a member
of the JPA Board, I’m committed to all residents in both counties who live
in the flood zone. But as the Menlo Park representative to the board, I’m
also committed to ensuring that JPA projects take a balanced and equitable
approach.
*Menalto Parklet’s Future and National Night Out in the Willows*
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National Night Out
this year will be held on August 5, 2025. As in years past, the Willows
neighborhood’s National Night Out event will be hosted by Neighborhood
Pizza Guy/Cafe Zoë and will take place in the parking area in front of the
Menalto Avenue retail strip. There will be activities for kids and, of
course, public safety personnel will make a special appearance. This event
is funded, in part, by donations from the community. If you’d like to
contribute, please reach out to Matt Burr (neighborhoodpizzaguy@gmail.com).
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*Menalto Avenue Parklet* – I want to acknowledge that there have been
changes to the parklet in front of Neighborhood Pizza Guy/Cafe Zoë as a
result of the city’s removal of the concrete barriers. I’m actively working
with all stakeholders to resolve this in a way that preserves this valued
community gathering space.
*Menlo Park Takes Step Towards Enacting Heat Pump Requirement*
At its meeting on July 8, a majority of the council directed city staff to
return with updates to the building code that would prohibit residents from
replacing an air conditioner with another air conditioner. In most cases,
residents seeking to replace an air conditioner would only have the option
of installing a heat pump. Additionally, the majority of the council also
expressed support for a further expansion of pre-wiring requirements during
home renovations. These new restrictions are, of course, driven by the very
real predicament that climate change represents.
While I recognize that both micro (i.e., individual) and macro-level (i.e.,
nation-state) actions are needed to combat climate change, I was skeptical
of the direction given by the majority of the council for several reasons.
First, I’m hesitant to introduce new ordinances and codes that increase the
financial burden on residents. Second, I tend to favor incentivizing
residents rather than prohibiting them—which is what these new codes
represent. And finally, I believe the government should fully implement
changes like this in its own buildings before requiring them of residents.
*Community Office Hours and State of City Address *
I’m looking forward to continuing the dialogue represented by the Community
Office Hours in two more sessions this month. Recent topics of discussion
have included the Sunset Campus proposal, the closure of Santa Cruz Avenue,
and pool operations. Due to family travel, sessions in early August will be
canceled. Community Office Hours will resume on August 16th. We are also in
the process of finalizing a date and location for this year’s State of the
City address. My hope is that we can hold the event in District 2.
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*July 19th:* Community Office Hours will be hosted at Neighborhood Pizza
Guy/Cafe Zoë from 9 AM to 10 AM
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*July 26th:* Community Office Hours will be hosted at Neighborhood Pizza
Guy/Cafe Zoë from 9 AM to 10 AM
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*August 2nd and 9th:* Community Office Hours will be canceled due to
family travel
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*Date/Location to be finalized:* State of the City Address
*Congressman Celebrates July 4th in Menlo Park*
U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo at Menlo Park’s 4th of July Festivities
This is a monthly newsletter from Menlo Park Mayor and District 2
Councilmember Drew Combs. The purpose of this newsletter is to inform Menlo
Park residents, and specifically those in District 2, about city council
matters, city projects and other city-related issues. It joins other
efforts to engage District 2 residents including weekly community office
hours.
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© 2025 Menlo Park District 2 Newsletter
701 Laurel St.
Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States of America
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