Hello, I read very briefly about the potential Willow Village plan by Facebook, so would like to offer a few suggestions to
consider both for this and any other project.
As everyone knows, there is a housing crisis and it's going to require every community to think differently, quickly and boldly to
solve.
However, there's another crisis that gets less attention, which is there is an office space crisis for startups.
Where does the future startups like Facebook find affordable office space?
For these and many other reasons, I would urge the following in any planning process:
* Maximize mixed-use opportunities that combine office, housing, retail, underground or parking decks
* Reach for the sky instead of height restrictions - this doesn't mean every building needs to be a skyscraper, but a combination
of taller buildings will be far more efficient land use and may actually create more opportunities for open space
* Encourage maximum additional housing - while 1,500 more units is helpful, it's obviously not enough...again, this can be solved
by taller buildings
* Require Facebook and ANY large developer of commercial or office space to start designating significant low to free space for
startups. This could range from space with Facebook's offices or insuring that Facebook works with others to make sure there are
private non-FB controlled space for startups, accelerators and co-working spaces that will make it possible for the next wave of
entrepreneurs to exist
I cannot understate the need to address the housing crisis and office space crisis equally because if we fail to solve for either,
we are creating a skewed future.
I live near Facebook's HQ and I recognize traffic is challenging, but I believe it's critical to add housing and office space,
even IF that means more traffic. Of course, I also believe more can be done to address traffic flow, leverage shuttles, rideshare,
transit and innovation.
Last, but not least, I would view this as a transformation opportunity for Menlo Park to lead solutions for the region.
Make Menlo Park the city that reached for the sky, created a smart city, welcome startups and aggressively found solutions for
people to live.
Our future can be much better.
Thank you,
Brian
