Dear Councilmembers,
I am a long-time resident of Menlo Park writing to express my complete objection to the proposed massive development at 80 Willow Road. While I understand that the City has opened the door to this monstrosity by the delay in submitting a state-approved housing element, the job now is to do everything within our power to prevent this development.
Obviously, the proposed skyscrapers are completely out of scale at this location – or, frankly, most any location within Menlo Park. It makes no sense. In addition, it would have serious and irreversible impacts on traffic, San Francisquito Creek, and our housing supply.
This specific site is at the crossroads of a very busy intersection. Rush-hour traffic on both Middlefield and Willow Road is already extremely congested. I live in the South of Seminary neighborhood, and am often unable to turn left off of my street onto eastbound Willow Road after 4pm due to backed up traffic. At Gilbert and Coleman I have sat through three cycles of traffic lights before I am able to make that turn. The proposed development, largely office, hotel, and retail uses, will significantly worsen this already awful congestion, creating a traffic nightmare.
I am also very concerned about the environmental impacts of such a massive development on the edge of San Francisquito Creek. The removal of trees, addition of significant amounts of hardscape, and additional cars will create polluting runoff, cause erosion, and impact soils — not to mention include increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, this development includes a relatively small number of housing units while also producing the need for workers at the offices, hotel, and retail spaces. This imbalanced proposal couldn’t come at a worse time for Menlo Park, which should be focusing on housing, particularly affordable housing.
I urge you to do everything within your power to reject this development application.
Thank you,
Kathy Switky
Nash Avenue, Menlo Park
