Dear Council Members,
I read over much of the lengthy document the other evening, and more today, and do not understand why approval is so easily given to remove the 3 heritage redwood trees, which make that corner so lovely!
I feel for the residents who live on Cambridge, and want to protect the residential nature of their street.
I will also miss those trees, as redwoods are my favorite - I have 3 in my own backyard here in the Willows.
I did not find the rather modern look of the new project appealing - when I first read about it, I envisioned more of a Birge Clark/Palo Alto/Spanish style, and it was quite disappointing to see the drawing. It is clunky rather than coherent - too many styles that don’t fit together in a boxy shape.
Also, the only restrooms are 2 small ones inside the retail area, but none in the restaurant?
So you have to go outside of the restaurant and back inside the building to wash your hands? That seems like a very poor design!
An early drawing shows the only access from inside the retail area, a much later drawing shows access from a lobby walkthrough instead?? It looks like the design is not even decided yet - so should not be approved.
I *would* like more apartments and townhomes near the train station, so that more folks can live without needing a car.
But really it could be much more attractive. The apartments look like they don’t have much light or fresh air.
I also have a problem with investors who don’t even live in the area or the U.S.! That means profits go offshore, and do NOT help our local community at all, except for a few jobs.
Please reconsider finding a locally-owned project that benefits our community more - is more attractive!, and knows how to value our historic heritage redwood trees.
If local ownership is not possible, please at least insist on a beautiful design that really benefits the neighborhood - and leaves our heritage trees alone!
Thank you,
Darshana Maya Greenfield
Menlo Park CA 94025
"Love is the answer whatever the question" ♥️
