Hello council members and Mayor Combs,
I am writing in support of agenda item G-1. As a Menlo Park homeowner, I want everyone to have access to affordable housing in our town. As someone who used to live less than a block away from the proposed building site, I know how nice it is to live within easy walking distance of downtown--and how much it encourages you to shop locally and frequent local restaurants. Living on Willow Road, as I do now, all I see are people streaming into town at 8am and leaving town at 5pm. When you live here, you shop here. If we dont make room for people to live here, our local businesses will suffer. Weve seen downtown Redwood City thrive with increased downtown housing and smart parking options; we should have faith that our town can do the same.
I urge the council to move forward with a request for proposals, and to find a proposal that maximizes the number of deeply affordable homes and provides benefits to the community at large, from a developer who knows how to make use of state laws to streamline development. I am not able to attend the meeting tonight because Ive been struggling with the early months of pregnancy, but I am writing to you because I want to raise my child in a Menlo Park that makes space for the people who need to live here. The opposition to this project is vocal and well-funded, but also short-sighted and selfish, and I hope Menlo Park chooses a wiser, kinder path.
Thanks,
Emma
