City Council,

We are writing as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Environmental Quality Commission regarding agenda item I-1 on the agenda for May 23, 2023. Thank you for calling up the Planning Commission denial of a use permit to allow electric pool heating equipment to exceed the nighttime noise limit at 100 Terminal Avenue so that we can have a larger conversation about this topic as a community.

First, we commend our City for the bold Climate Action Plan (CAP) we put in place in 2020, and the focused action that staff has been taking to implement CAP goal #5 - electrifying city operations. Emissions from heating pools with gas are significant, and moving toward electrification in our city operations is an important part of Menlo Park being a leading sustainable city.

Second, as part of the EQCs 2023 Work Plan, we agreed on the priority of "Climate Resilience and Adaptation", one element being "Ensure that perspectives from our most vulnerable populations are represented in EQC discussions and recommendations to Council." Given the public comment shared at Planning Commission meetings, in emails to the City Council, and as detailed in the staff report, clearly Belle Haven residents are concerned with the potential noise of the heat pumps at night and want mitigation strategies in place so that the noise ordinance is not breached.

In summary, we ask that as you determine the path forward please consider both the need to make progress on our climate action goals, and listen to the needs of Belle Haven residents. We trust you can find a path forward where the needs of our planet and the needs of our community members can all be met.

Also, please refer to the March email from fellow commissioner, Angela Evans, on alternative paths that might be considered for heating this pool at https://www.hiago.app/en/organizations/menlo-park/emails/185982, email from Belle Haven Resident, Eduardo Lopez https://www.hiago.app/en/organizations/menlo-park/emails/185743 which was also affirmed by Siobhan Flynn and Donald Mendoza at https://www.hiago.app/en/organizations/menlo-park/emails/185794

Warmly,
Nancy Larocca Hedley
Chair, Environmental Quality Commission

Jeff Schmidt
Vice Chair, Environmental Quality Commission