Dear City Council,
I have lived in Menlo Park for 23 years. For at least the first decade, I did not understand how the history of restrictive covenants on the West side of town and redlining on the East resulted in our current status quo. Now that I do, I’d like to see us make decisions that reduce harmful legacies of those past polices. Without new housing that is scaled for affordability as well as thoughtful integration of below market rate housing, we will further perpetuate the legacy of past segregation and create an unhealthy island of only the very wealthiest, depriving us of much needed service providers such as local teachers who make our community to much richer in the ways that count the most. We should also be strategic about placing this housing on viable walking and biking routes designed with safety in mind to reduce the need for short distance, cross town car rides, such as trips back and forth to schools or the market.
Even though it’s steps from my door and will certainly result in more traffic on my street, I think the plan to redevelop SRI, putting more housing in close proximity to the train is wise and I support it. I do think it is critical when approving the plan that you negotiate inclusion of the most pressing amenities to enrich the Burgess Park area and make sure to preserve the tree canopy.
Thank you for your efforts to plan intelligently for California’s future,
Ann Diederich
