I am strongly opposed to the proposed development at 80 Willow Road. The environmental impact of such an immense project right next to the San Francisquito Creek cannot be ignored. The need for housing across the region is serious and demands serious proposals to address the shortage, but this proposal undermines the good work of housing advocates, creates more problems than it addresses, and should not be seriously considered.As a resident of the Willows living under what would be the shadow of the 80 Willow Road towers, I respectfully request:
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Do not approve this project without a completed Environmental Impact Report. We deserve a full, independent accounting of the risks to the creek, public safety, and surrounding neighborhoods before any final vote — not after.
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Formally rebut the Attorney Generals letter where the Citys legal position is sound. Dont concede points by default. Where the Citys original analysis holds up, defend it.
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Reject the developers October 27 deadline as a basis for rushing this decision. A deadline set unilaterally by the developer need not dictate the Councils timeline or process.
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Hold a public hearing before any final decision is made. Two closed sessions with no public statement is not an acceptable level of transparency on a decision this consequential.
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Commit publicly, before November 3, to how the Council will proceed. We are voting on three Council seats one week after this deadline, and we deserve to know where each of you stands before we vote, not after.
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Stand firm against pressure from both the State and the developer. Neither a warning letter from Sacramento nor a lawsuit threat from N17 is a legal requirement to approve this project. Make your decision on the merits, not under duress.
Why I’m opposed to this project
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I oppose N17s proposal for a multi-tower mini-city planned for 80 Willow Road. With three towers measuring a staggering 39, 33, and 18 stories tall, the proposed development is wildly out of scale for Menlo Park, and is grossly misaligned with our state-approved housing plan that City leaders worked diligently to pass. It is totally inappropriate for our communities and would have significant, detrimental impacts on Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Atherton, and East Palo Alto. The development is one very short block from my home in the Willows neighborhood, where we moved more than 20 years ago for its quiet residential community. I strongly support additional housing to support the people of our community and oppose excessive commercial development that will detract from the quality of life of Menlo Park residents, adding to already unmanaged traffic congestion and destroying the arborial atmosphere that we value so highly in Menlo Park.
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A comprehensive Environmental Impact Review by independent technical experts must be conducted to thoroughly evaluate the potential adverse impacts on public health and safety as well as environmental risks to the San Francisquito Creek and surrounding communities.
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New housing should be equitably distributed throughout the city, as required by Menlo Parks approved housing plan. A disproportionate amount of new construction in Menlo Park is currently planned for District 3. The SRI/Parkline development is expected to bring 1,082 residential units along with extensive commercial space, located just ½ mile from 80 Willow Rd. Additionally, the USGS development will bring 670 residential units plus extensive commercial space. Lastly, 68 Willow Road will bring 90 units. The combination of these developments would bring unmanageable density to a small area of our community.
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The 80 Willow Rd development would add 665 new residential units to our housing supply. However, by simultaneously creating 3,100 jobs — more than 3x the number of employed residents these homes could house — it would further strain the jobs/housing imbalance and worsen our existing housing deficit, defying the spirit of the Builders Remedy law.
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The former Sunset site has poor access to public transportation. The developers plan includes only 1,443 (17%) of the 8,357 parking spaces required per code, pushing up to 7,000 parked cars into nearby neighborhoods. This deficit is unconscionable, and the impact will be borne disproportionately by Willows residents.
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The proposed project will worsen already untenable traffic and safety issues for Menlo Park and surrounding towns. The addition of an estimated 7,000 new car trips each day will delay and strain ambulance and rescue efforts. This feels unsafe and irresponsible. The entire area — from Marsh Road to Embarcadero Road, from El Camino Real to the Bay — will be impacted.
Best,Stephanie
Stephanie WoodworthClover Lane, Menlo Park
