Dear Mayor Betsy Nash, Vice Mayor Jennifer Wise, Council-member Drew Combs, Council-member Jeff Schmidt, Council-member Cecilia Taylor,
I know that you are under a tremendous amount of pressure from the state government to provide more housing in Menlo Park. It is my hope that a comprehensive plan is drawn up rather than waiting for individual developments and deciding on a case by case basis. Perhaps the goal is to have the Linfield Oaks area be high density. Ok. But think it through. Plan for traffic flow. Plan for how emergency vehicles will be able to help in emergencies. Menlo Park was a thoughtfully planned city. Please continue that legacy.
In regards to the current proposal of the N17 development, I hope that you continue due process and you do not cave to threats from the California Attorney General or N17.
Please rebut the Attorney General’s letter where the City’s legal position is sound. Do not concede to points by default. If the City’s original analysis holds up—DEFEND IT!!!
Reject the developer, N17’s, October 27 deadline as a basis for this decision.
MOST IMPORTANTLY IF NOTHING ELSE N17 HAS TO DO AN EIR just like anyone else doing a development. The fact that they are trying to avoid doing this makes it questionable as to if the project would pass. The current proposed development is not environmentally sound with the creek so near by. It is well documented that the banks of the creek are not stable.
Hold a public hearing BEFORE any final decision is made. The public has a right to know what is happening in their city. Two closed sessions with no public statement is not an acceptable level of transparency for something that will affect Menlo Park and Palo Alto way past most of our life times.
Commit publicly before the election on November 3. You owe it to voters to know where you stand on the issue.
It is unlikely that everyone who lives at this proposed development will only take public transit or do ride share. People will own cars. There is already a traffic issue at the corner of Willow and Middlefield. The fire department is less than a block away it will most likely be difficult for them to get their vehicles out to attend to emergencies. Have this thoroughly analyzed.
I truly hope that you can stand firm against the pressure from either N17 or the State government. Do the right thing for the City of Menlo Park that you represent!! Development is necessary—however do it reasonably with the whole town in mind.
Thank you for ALL of your hard work!!
Sincerely,
Whitney Lane
70 Princeton Rd.
Menlo Park, CA
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