I hope this latest version of the Housing Element meets all the State’s criteria. I have some comments, in no particular order:

*Gas stoves: Do NOT give exemptions to a product which the industry considers a “gateway appliance”? If you have a gas stove, you have to have a gas line and are more likely to install other gas appliances. Studies going back to the middle of the last century showed the dangerous levels of toxins emitted by gas stoves, which the gas industry took as a threat to their business and responded by hiring the same marketing and lobbying agencies that were used by Big Tobacco. Recent studies by Stanford showed gas stoves emit those toxins even when off.

*Lighting: I’m glad to read that the housing element require Dark Sky Compliant lighting, it should be required on ALL buildings in Menlo Park. Why doesn’t the City have the same requirements for new single family residential buildings? Most in west Menlo are installing clear glass/ bare bulb lighting that shines outward and upward. It’s usually chosen by the architect, not the property owner.
Many homeowners, whether building new or moving into an older home, are installing high intensity security lighting which shines into the public right of way, and I assume is also part of a security camera system. This is both an invasion of privacy and these lights are blinding.

*Noise: Update your noise ordinance. All buildings need to be designed with good soundproofing between apartments and to protect from traffic, airplane and HVAC/heat pump noise. Noises travel farther and are perceived as louder at night, mechanical 60hz noise is disruptive even at fairly low db ratings because of the constant drone of the sound. Noise, even when one is not actively aware of it, causes physiological responses, including raised blood pressure which leads to chronic disease. Don’t inflict this on anyone, especially not low income people who already have plenty of stress in their lives. The current ordinance is inadequate and difficult to enforce.

*Mixed Use buildings: make sure the uses are compatible.
Housing over or adjacent to restaurants, cafés or bars can cause conflict due to noise from ventilation equipment, live music, customers and traffic, and smells from both cooking and garbage. We recently staying in a small hotel located over a fast food restaurant and found the odors and ventilation noise so bad that we relocated to a different hotel.

Here in Menlo Park, an apartment was built over an office building next to Menlo Atherton Auto Repair. The building owner found it difficult renting that apartment due to its proximity to the auto shop, and the auto shop has been inconvenienced by the elimination of parking that occurred when the new building was built. Some locations aren’t suitable for residential.

*Higher Density: done right, it can be very attractive. Done poorly, and it’s a dysfunctional eyesore. Including green space, plazas and rooftop cafés open to the public can help mitigate the enclosed feeling higher density can produce. I really hate the Menlo Gateway complex because it blocks views of the bay and is too industrial looking.

*Water Usage/Storm Drainage: All new construction should be designed to collect storm water on site, and landscape irrigation needs should be negligible. Green roofs, permeable paving and dry creek landscaping would help with this.

*Construction: You need to change the rules to restrict all construction related activity within City limits to strictly M-F 8am-6pm. Otherwise, we’ll all be living in bedlam. The current rules are not sufficient. It’s a “noise” ordinance which doesn’t factor in the noise of truck/vehicle traffic, or non mechanical noises such as throwing pavers into the back of a pickup or barking dogs (yep, construction workers bring dogs to the work site).

*Sites identified: You’ve identified good locations for increased density, however I think you could include more. The City could do more to encourage the building of ADU’s in residential neighborhoods, especially on properties being redeveloped. You could encourage splitting 1/2 acre lots into two lots.

When I chose to move to Menlo Park over 40 years ago, I chose it because it is such a pleasant, neighborly small town. I have no objection to increasing building heights, or building density, but I do have a different definition of “vibrancy” than some on Council. I like that I can walk downtown and see many people I know. I enjoy the weekly market, annual street fairs, concerts in the park and holiday events. I hope we can encourage small business owners to open shop here in town, but am firmly opposed to creating “vibrancy” by opening late night venues. Late night drinking never ends well. Those needing a vibrant night life really should live in a big city- there are plenty of big city options, Menlo Park doesn’t need to aspire to be one.

Carole Grace
carolelfgrace@gmail.com