Excellent!

Sent from my iPad
On Nov 5, 2018, at 8:24 PM, Peter Carpenter via Groups.Io
wrote:

> The following public comments were made to the Planning Commission this evening:
November 5, 2018

The 1704 ECR Project



The Park Forest neighbors worked hard for many months to find a compromise with Mr. Sagar Patel and we agreed to support his
design that included underground parking. A letter to that effect was filed with the Commission on March 12. I have provided you
with a timeline of the neighborhood’s interactions with Mr. Patel.



After your March meeting, at which the design with underground parking was presented, developer Patel walked away from his
agreement with the community and instead proposed a much larger facility with on-grade parking. This design was reviewed at your
October study session.

Given the history of the neighborhood’s compromises it was shocking that the Planning Commission Chair, after Mr. Patel moved the
goal posts with a totally new design, said that the neighbors now need to compromise – again! What is to stop a developer from
constantly moving the goal posts if the Planning Commission just expects the neighbors to compromise again and again?



We are completely opposed to the new, above ground parking design, regardless of any cosmetic changes that might be made to it.



We are certainly opposed to the bizarre concept of granting a public benefit bonus to a developer because he has reduced his costs
by not providing underground parking rather than granting a public benefit bonus for increasing his costs by doing something to
provide an actual public benefit.


We would continue to support the original underground parking design if Mr. Patel reverses his abrogation of his agreement with
the Park Forest community.



Peter Carpenter

140 Forest Lane

Menlo Park, Ca.




PARK FOREST NEIGHBORHOOD’S TIMELINE OF ENGAGEMENT:1704 ECR DEVELOPMENTOctober 12, 2016 Petition letter opposing the development
circulated to Park Forest andsurrounding communities, garnering widespread support. Exhibit ANovember 8, 2016 First meeting
between Neighborhood representatives and CorinnaSandmeier (Associate Planner, Menlo Park).December 5, 2016 Neighborhood meeting at
Pacific Union. Sagar Patel (Developer) wasinvited to answer residents’ many concerns. 35 neighbors attended. Manyletters sent to
City Planning following the meeting.December 14, 2016 Summary of issues raised at 12/5 meeting circulated to residents. Exhibit B
February 4, 2017 First meeting of Neighborhood Committee (Susan Neville, Mike Brady,Dave Forter, Margaret Race, Carol Diamond,
Glenna Patton).February 6, 2017 Updated petition letter submitted to Corinna Sandmeier to reflectadditional signatures (final
total of 80). Exhibit CMarch 13, 2017 Neighborhood Committee meeting (same participants as noted above).March 27, 2017
Neighborhood Committee pre-°©‐meeting for Sagar Patel meeting.April 3, 2017 First meeting with Sagar Patel (Developer) to view the
site from 190 ForestLane (closest to 1704 ECR property) and discuss neighborhood concerns.Verbal agreement from Sagar Patel to
move 3rd story rooms from rear-°©‐facing side of hotel (facing Forest Lane).May 3, 2017 Second meeting with Sagar Patel to discuss
additional modifications to theplans. Initial agreements summarized in letter to Menlo Park. Exhibit DMay 8, 2017 Susan Neville
sends Sagar Patel a recap of the outstanding issues, as wellas a draft letter to neighbors summarizing Patel’s agreed changes.
Patelhad the opportunity to weigh in on letter prior to circulation.May 9, 2017 Updated letter on agreed changes by Sagar Patel
circulated toneighborhood residents. Exhibit EJune 11, 2017 Sagar Patel sends renderings of new exterior design, which reflects a
shiftto a “Mediterranean” look in line with other buildings along ECR, asrequested by Neighborhood Committee.July 28, 2017 Sagar
Patel circulates updated renderings of the exterior design, reflectinga shift to a “taupe” color to better blend into the
surrounding nature, asrequested by Neighborhood Committee.September 19, 2017 Susan Neville submits a letter of support for the
development on behalf ofthe Neighborhood Committee, based on extended negotiations to reflectthe issues raised by residents.
Exhibit FNovember 17, 2017 Neighborhood Committee meets with Corinna Sandmeier to inform her ofagreements with Sagar Patel. She
informs us that the City has issues withthe design and a public Study Session will take place in January.November 21, 2017 Glenna
Patton submits letter to Corinna Sandmeier on behalf of theNeighborhood Committee requesting that the new designs are previewed
with the Committee prior to the January Study Session.December 4, 2017 Sagar Patel provides preview of updated exterior design,
which hecharacterizes as a “more authentic, classic Spanish design”.February 26, 2018 Neighborhood receives notice of Menlo Park
Planning Committee StudySession, scheduled for March 12th, at 7pm.March 7, 2018 Neighborhood Committee meets to prep for Study
Session, agrees to senda letter to the City stating its formal position prior to the Study Session.March 12, 2018(12pm)Susan
Neville submits letter to Planning Commissioners saying theNeighborhood’s preference is for the development not to move forwardbut
if it does, residents won’t oppose it as long as our agreed changes areapproved. Exhibit GMarch 12, 2018(7pm)Neighborhood
Committee attends Study Session, where the City requestsa number of design changes to the hotel – none of which affectagreements
with the Neighborhood.May 29, 2018 Sagar Patel sends Neighborhood Committee an email backtracking on allprior agreements due to
moving parking from underground to street level(driven by “skyrocketing costs” of underground garage).June 5, 2018 Neighborhood
Committee meets with Sagar Patel to review the new plans,confirming that no prior agreements have been honored (beyond design).
June 18, 2018 Susan Neville emails Sagar Patel the Neighborhood’s opposition to theplans and lays out its top requirements. Email
forwarded to CorinnaSandmeier to inform her of the Neighborhood’s position. Exhibit HAugust 18, 2018 Petition to declare
neighborhood petition against the new plans islaunched via Change.org [http://Change.org], securing 70 signatures (online and hard
copy).September 16, 2018 Neighborhood coffee event to update residents attended by 30 neighbors.Neighborhood Committee is expanded
due to residents’ urgent concerns.September 19, 2018(4:30pm)Neighborhood reps meet with Corinna Sandmeier to communicateopposition
to the City’s process. Sandmeier indicates a Formal Review bythe Planning Commission will be held October 8th. Neighborhood
requestsa Study Session instead given the dramatic changes in the plans.September 20, 2018 Sagar Patel informs Neighborhood that
the request for a Study Session onOctober 8th is accepted, replacing the previously planned Formal Review.Glenna Patton emails
Corinna Sandmeier to acknowledge Study Sessionand voice continued opposition by the residents.September 24, 2018 Resident Eric
Easom meets with Sagar Patel to discuss the Neighborhood’sissues with the development. Patel indicates an openness to explore
further changes – although the details appear to be fluid.September 24-°©‐28,2018Various residents submit letters of opposition to
the City PlanningCommissioners.September 26, 2018 Neighborhood Committee meeting to discuss updates and further actionsprior to
the October 8 Study Session.October 1, 2018 Neighborhood Committee submits to Planning Commission a formal letterof opposition
with changes required to gain residents’ support. Exhibit IOctober 8, 2018 Sagar Patel presents a further evolution of the plans
at a PlanningCommission Study Session attended by 25 neighbors, who oppose theplans and advocate for what was agreed prior to the
March Study Session._._,_._,_
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