Honorable City Council Members:
As a resident of the Allied Arts neighborhood in Menlo Park I’m writing today to voice my frustration due to the lack of upkeep of the properties at 201 El Camino Real and 612 Cambridge Avenue, which has resulted in public health, safety and fire hazards. I’m here to ask our City Council to help us with two things in regards to this project should you approve the vesting tentative map two-year extension:
* First, help us keep our neighborhood safe.
* Second, ensure that there is reasonable progress on this development project.
In mid-December 2022, I noticed a squatter had taken up residence in the empty 201 El Camino Real property. This squatter had forced open the door, removed the handle and was living in one of the units. In addition to living in the building, the squatter also left large amounts of trash and debris outside the building. When I reported this issue to the Menlo Park Police in mid-December I was informed that the property owner needed to report this, and that unless I had standing over the building, there was nothing the police department could do about the situation.
I don’t need to tell you that having a squatter living in an unoccupied building poses a health, fire and public safety hazard. But actually the larger hazard is having a negligent property owner who is doing absolutely nothing to maintain the property. The reason we cannot address the squatter problem is that the owner of the 201 El Camino Real property, who should be responsible, and should be working with the police to resolve this situation, has been absent.
Here’s just a short list of how the property has been neglected since sound businesses like Koma Sushi and Charisma Salon moved out in 2021:
* Building broken into and locks have been removed, resulting in squatters
* The parking lot has been regularly filled with trash, debris and squatters
* There have been neglected overgrown trees which could pose a safety hazard to adjacent neighbors
* Leaf litter and debris from the property has been clogging storm sewers resulting in significant flooding on Cambridge and El Camino during a heavy rainfall earlier this year
This neglect has a huge impact on the wellbeing of the surrounding community. During the last big rainstorm in January, the burden of removing leaves, debris and trash from 201 El Camino Real fell on volunteer neighbors who did not want to see their own properties impacted by the neglect.
Menlo Park City Council - I ask you to consider the ways we move forward with two goals in mind.
* First, keep our neighborhood safe
* Keep the neighborhood safe from squatters
* Keep the property locked and secure - while I did notice that last Wednesday the squatter was vacated from the building, and the broken doorway was finally covered with plywood, it is clear this too-little-too-late action was done conveniently in advance of this week’s meeting to renew the permit.
* Keep storm drains maintained so they do not backup and flood the neighborhood
* Keep the parking lot clear of trash
* Keep all the trees on property in good health
* Second, make reasonable progress on the project development
* Provide clear milestones for the project and how it is advancing in a timely and ongoing manner
* Provide a liaison for neighbors to communicate with the developer to promptly address any concerns or issues
I understand that construction has not broken ground yet, but a Mitigation Measure in Resolution No. 6594, (p31) states:
* When construction occurs near residents, affected parties within 400 feet of the construction area shall be notified of the construction schedule prior to demolition, grading or building permit issuance. Notices sent to residents shall include a project hotline where residents would be able to call and issue complaints. A Project Construction Complaint and Enforcement Manager shall be designated to receive complaints and notify the appropriate City staff of such complaints. Signs shall be posted at the construction site that include permitted construction days and hours, a day and evening contact number for the job site, and day and evening contact numbers, both for the construction contractor and City representative(s), in the event of problems.
Having said manager instituted as soon as possible will help to create a better communication pathway for residents and the developer.
The Allied Arts Neighborhood is a strong and special community and we are looking for sensible, respectful and responsive partners to help us to continue to build our community. I am pro development and I’m eager to see something viable being built at the 201 El Camino property. Please take meaningful steps to show you care.
Sincerely,
Amanda Kelso
