Dear Menlo Park City Council and Planning Commission,
As a concerned resident of the City of Menlo Park, I am expressing my opposition to many of the proposed Willow Village recommendations. The quality of life is consistently in jeopardy, including the documented poor air quality due to traffic. Over 51% of the Belle Haven residents have Asthma, and the additional 1,000s expected cars will only increase pollution and traffic.
Im in opposition of:
· Removal of the only gas station and car wash;
· Increased traffic and pollution caused by Willow Village;
· Any additional hotels;
· Increase in the number of proposed housing units from 1,200 to 1900;
· Lack of guaranteed very low-cost office space offered to and for small community businesses, nonprofits, and meeting spaces;
· Lack of environmental study on the impact of new construction on the endangered marshland species and increased pollution;
· Lack of prioritizing and meaningful outreach to communities of color regarding landscape design, architecture, and potential murals that depict the Belle Haven community and history;
· Lack of guaranteed banks, pharmacies, and grocery stores to be built/opened in the first phase of construction;
· Removal of over 800 trees.
Remember, communities persist while corporations come and go. The city has been over-developing Belle Haven to appease Meta, which is already laying off 11,000 people (not counting all the non-employee personnel).
Soody Tronson
Menlo Park resident
