Dear MP City Council,
Thank you for the excellent staff report prepared by Stephen Stolte.
As a resident of the Triangle requesting ANNEXATION I fully support a fee waiver AND fully support the Council allocating the necessary staff time to move this request for annexation forward as quickly as possible.
The Triangle is an island, surrounded by the City of Menlo Park. Geographically, and for all of the other reasons stated many times, it should be included in the City proper: Triangle residents want City police protection, City building codes & tree protections, use of City services as residents, and the right to vote in City elections.
A fee waiver should be an easy "YES" because not only have we residents in question already paid a portion of the fees ourselves, ($10,000) the current fee estimate (conservatively high) is a small investment toward the benefit of tax revenue due the City upon ANNEXATION. The City has lost approximately $1.0 million of revenue in the last 10 years and the Triangle continues to be developed in ways (by new construction, major remodels and subdividing lots for multiple dwellings) that only add to City revenue.
Steps outlined in the Staff Report are straightforward.
The fees estimated in this staff report and the steps outlined are simple and proper for any such project: nothing is exceptional or out of the ordinary.
San Mateo County has already agreed to a property tax revenue allocation (during this 10 year process).
San Mateo County has agreed to let the Triangle be ANNEXED (during this 10 year process).
San Mateo County has removed several barriers to the initial application such as paving Sharon Rd, and re-designing Alameda de las Pulgas adjacent to the Triangle, setting up the infrastructure for years to come with little maintenance cost by the City.
LAFCO has already approved the ANNEXATION (during this 10 year process), and willing to accommodate the City requirements.
ANNEXATION of the West Menlo Triangle should be Step #1 in expanding City residents.
Menlo Park is busy setting up large development projects to meet State housing demands. In so doing, the City will bring in many new residents which may or may not support City businesses and provide economic & civic vibrancy to our community. The West Menlo Triangle residents are ready-made citizens of our town who for many years have supported local businesses and civic activity. We are already here. We are a sure bet to not only continue to support our beloved City but to contribute to its economic health and good will. Tried and true, we are.
Please support the Fee Waiver as recommended by Jennifer Wise. Please move forward with ease and expediency to ANNEX the Triangle.
Thank you,
Lynne McClure
6 Crocus Ct.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
