- Multiple residents, local business owners, and community members strongly oppose the plan to develop affordable housing on downtown parking lots, citing concerns about parking shortages, business impacts, traffic congestion, and downtown vibrancy. Many call for alternative sites, including Civic Center lots, and express skepticism about the project's feasibility and community support.
- Numerous residents and stakeholders advocate for affordable housing in downtown areas, emphasizing its importance for workforce retention, diversity, and community vibrancy. Supporters highlight the positive impact of converting parking lots, the need for creative parking solutions, and the benefits of making downtown more walkable and lively.
- A significant portion of comments focus on parking capacity and management, criticizing proposals to build housing on parking lots without adequate replacement spaces. Residents suggest solutions like multi-story or underground parking, and some propose flexible street closures using removable bollards to support events without permanent restrictions.
- Discussions include whether to reopen Santa Cruz Avenue to traffic, with opinions favoring partial or full reopening to improve traffic flow, safety, and access. Several residents support street reinstatement with temporary or permanent measures, including removable barriers for events.
- A large number of community members advocate for the continuation and funding of the Caltrain Quiet Zone, which aims to reduce train horn noise for neighborhood safety and quality of life. Many express disappointment and concern over potential budget cuts, emphasizing the health and peace benefits.
- Residents suggest maintaining street closures like Santa Cruz Avenue for outdoor dining and community activities, proposing flexible, temporary solutions such as removable bollards. They emphasize the importance of walkable, vibrant downtown spaces over long-term car traffic restrictions.
- Community members express strong support for Burgess Pool and Menlo Swim and Sport, emphasizing their positive community impact, corrections to operational concerns, and the importance of investing in local aquatics programs, especially at Belle Haven.
- Multiple notices about community meetings addressing parking proposals, including a Menlo Forward session about 80 Willow, and safety concerns at key intersections, including broken crosswalk lights, dangerous visibility, and traffic signal timing near major streets. There are strong appeals to improve parking management, enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, and reconsider public space utilization to support downtown vibrancy.
- Community discussions include potential use of the underutilized parking lot along the 800 block of Menlo Park and the permanent closure of the 600 block of Santa Cruz Ave. to create safe gathering spaces, promoting downtown revitalization and community engagement while addressing parking needs.
- Residents express concerns over inadequate parking enforcement, broken crosswalk signals, dangerous intersections, and traffic signal timing issues. There are calls for better signage, traffic calming measures, and strategic placement of parking to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers amidst ongoing development projects.
- Multiple emails discuss issues related to parking management, proposals for development on public parking lots, safety concerns at parking structures, and the impact of these developments on local businesses and residents. Specific topics include resistance to using parking lots for housing, calls for fair leasing practices, and the need for adequate parking infrastructure, especially during construction.
- Residents advocate for safety improvements at the Belle Haven Community Campus, such as ADA-accessible chairs, bathrooms, proper ground outlets, and safe emergency exits. They also request returning community amenities like the piano and better seating arrangements for activities, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe, inclusive environment for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
- Community members express support for traffic calming measures, bike lanes, and safer pedestrian crossings on streets like Coleman Ave, Middle Avenue, Willow Road, and others. Suggestions include installing speed bumps, traffic signals, and bike infrastructure to enhance safety for children, pedestrians, and cyclists, aiming to reduce accidents and improve transportation in the area.
- Many residents oppose plans to build housing on city parking lots and other parcels, citing potential negative impacts on downtown commerce, community character, and existing parking availability. There is a call for transparency, public voting, and consideration of alternative sites like the USGS campus for housing development.
- Several emails urge transparency in development proposals, adherence to legal procedures for leases, and meaningful community involvement in planning decisions. Residents highlight concerns about insufficient public notices, unaddressed safety issues, and the need for voter approval before land use changes.
- Additional topics include the need to reopen Santa Cruz Avenue instead of Ryan's Lane, library access concerns, street safety measures along Willow Road, and support for local schools and community programs. Residents also discuss potential recognition for historical figures and ongoing efforts to improve community safety and quality of life.
- Multiple residents and stakeholders express concerns about the proposed development on downtown parking lots, emphasizing that it may worsen congestion, impact local businesses, and reduce public parking available for customers. Many advocate for exploring alternative sites like Civic Center or USGS land for housing to better preserve downtown vitality and safety. Several submissions highlight that existing parking lots could be repurposed more responsibly without risking economic or community decline.
- There is a strong call for the city to require a second, accessible entrance to new housing projects, especially at 320 Sheridan Drive, to enhance safety during emergencies, reduce commute times, and alleviate traffic congestion. Many residents and community groups urge reviewing misleading transit information and supporting better pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle access, including preserving original plans for entrance points to Van Buren Road.
- Numerous letters oppose building high-density housing on downtown parking lots due to anticipated negative impacts such as increased traffic, parking shortages, and potential loss of local businesses. Stakeholders highlight that current planning lacks sufficient studies on impacts, and warn of economic decline if retailers leave, citing specific cases of businesses planning to close because of the developments.
- Residents emphasize the importance of safety improvements, including additional traffic-calming measures, clearer sidewalks, and safer bike lanes. There are concerns about emergency vehicle access, traffic flow, and vulnerabilities around existing school zones and residential streets, with some calling for annexation of unincorporated areas for better infrastructure management.
- Many community members request more inclusive planning, accurate information sharing, and consideration of alternative sites for housing. They advocate for transparent processes, studying impacts thoroughly before development, and involving residents and business owners in decision-making to ensure safe, accessible, and economically viable community growth.
- Multiple residents and business owners express concern that new developments, street closures, and reduced parking in downtown Menlo Park threaten the vitality of local businesses, increase congestion, and diminish accessibility. There is a strong call to preserve existing parking lots, reopen streets like Santa Cruz Avenue, and consider alternative sites for affordable housing that do not compromise parking or pedestrian safety.
- Stakeholders criticize the street closures (e.g., Santa Cruz Avenue) and street furniture like parklets for negatively affecting traffic flow, business visibility, and community interaction. Many advocate for reversing closures to restore convenience, support small businesses, and align with the city’s vision for walkable, people-centered downtown areas.
- There is widespread opposition to building high-density housing on downtown parking lots. Residents highlight concerns over insufficient parking, safety, infrastructure capacity, and the potential loss of community character and small businesses. Many recommend exploring other locations like Civic Center or Willow Road for housing development.
- Community members urge for adherence to the Menlo Park Walkway Standards, traffic calming measures, and street resurfacing projects that prioritize safety and walkability. There is support for reopening streets, improving sidewalks, and ensuring that development aligns with the city’s transportation master plan, Vision Zero, and related policies.
- Numerous residents and business owners oppose overdevelopment, citing concerns about increased traffic, parking shortages, diminished quality of life, and the destruction of the downtown’s small-town charm. Calls for thorough studies and community engagement before approving large-scale projects are emphasized.
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