jaherren@menlopark.gov
city.council@menlopark.gov
PlanningDept@menlopark.gov
_______________________________________
Hi Judi and MP City Council--
David and I are longtime residents of Menlo Park. I have lived in the
Willows for about 40 years. Now living on Gilbert Ave.
We do love our town. And its ups and downs. After reading all the news
that came out the week of Aug 3, 2026 and the developer of 80 Willow
Road along with Ron Bontas weighing in and siding with the developer, I
am sending a letter written by my husband in response to hearing the
latest news.
We will be sending this to Rob Bontas office too.
Thank you for your time and effort on this matter.
Please let me know you received this email.
Soni Bergman and David Lehmann
_________________________________________________________
DEAR MP City Council and
Dear Attorney General Bonta,
I have voted for you. I am writing in opposition to the N17 Development
in Menlo Park. And to express my dismay at your stance that the
development should be allowed to proceed.
Im sure youre familiar with the proposed scale of these buildings, and
how grossly out of scale the development is, not just for Menlo Park,
but for any surrounding cities between San Jose & San Francisco. Im
sure you are also familiar with the arguments against the development.
Ill copy some below.
But I want to start with this: It is my understanding that because of
the many jobs this development would create in the office, hotel &
retail space planned, despite the housing in the plan, N17 would
INCREASE the housing needed in Menlo Park, NOT decrease it.
This makes no sense, and makes me think the "Builders Remedy" Senate
Bill 330 was very poorly written, if it allows a development to make the
situation worse instead of better.
Additionally, the N17 project would be an environmental disaster, sited
directly on the north bank of a creek that is an important refuge for
wildlife and for fish going to and from the bay.
And it would be a traffic disaster. The property is on the corner of
Willow Rd. and Middlefield Rd. Willow is already jammed in one direction
in the morning & the other in the afternoon. The hotel, office, and
retail space would add to the problem all day long. Middlefield road
goes down to one lane very near the Willow intersection, in both
directions. The traffic problem isnt just inconvenient, its a safety
issue for emergency vehicles, the nearby fire station, and access
between 101 and Stanford Hospital.
Then there is a parking problem. N17 proposes only 1,461 parking spaces,
just 41% of the required 3,530 spaces. They claim the location is close
to public transportation. In fact, depending on the route taken, walking
to the Palo Alto Caltrain station is a mile or more. Driving its 1.4 to
2.6 miles. To walk or bike, its 1.3 miles to Menlo Park station.
Driving its 1.3 to 1.5 miles.
Sadly, I could go on with how problematic the N17 project is. Im asking
you to use your office to help Menlo Park find a better solution, rather
than assist an oligarch to build this monstrosity.
Thank you, David Lehmann 650-387-1954
716 Gilbert Ave. Menlo Park 94025
California resident all my 70 years, and Menlo Park resident since 1979.
1. Disqualification From AB 2011 Streamlining
California Assembly Bill 2011 allows for the streamlined, ministerial
approval of certain affordable housing projects. However, the opposition
and city attorneys argue the Willow Park development does not qualify
for AB 2011 fast-tracking.
The Argument: The mixed-use high-rise proposal features a commercial
hotel. Under the strict text of AB 2011, a project containing a hotel
does not meet the legal definition of a pure housing development,
thereby invalidating its eligibility for streamlined bypass of local zoning.
2. Environmental Impact Restrictions & CEQA Compliance
Opposition groups argue that the project is legally required to undergo
a comprehensive environmental review under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) rather than receiving a fast-track exemption.
Habitat Destruction: The city formally declared that the construction
would develop protected habitats for both federally and state-law
protected species.
Wetlands and Creek Proximity: Because the site directly borders San
Francisquito Creek, opponents argue the extreme density, excavation, and
shadows from the towers pose unmitigable risks to local wetlands and
protected wildlife habitat
3. Builders Remedy Ineligibility
The developer claims "Builders Remedy" protections because Menlo Park
lacked an approved Housing Element plan when the preliminary application
was turned in.
The Argument: The citys legal position is that California housing laws
do not eliminate all local land-use authority. They argue the extreme
height (up to 39 stories) and density violate critical baseline local
development and safety standards that the Builders Remedy cannot
legally override.
