Hello City Council,
As a Menlo Park resident for over 17 years, I would like to strongly urge you to move very slowly and carefully on the decision to basically give away parking lots in downtown Menlo Park to developers. How has this not been better communicated? We have to find these things out through a Nextdoor post??
I feel a rushed decision is a knee jerk reaction to just "filling the housing element " quota.
The entire environment and footprint of downtown Menlo Park should be evaluated. Its been so sad to see the deterioration of businesses and lack of community over the past years. Why has it deteriorated so much and other communities are thriving i.e. Los Altos. I dont think squeezing in hundreds of affordable housing units is going to solve what is a more endemic problem that I feel hasnt been properly addressed by our elected officials. You as a council should be looking holistically at our downtown.
I would strongly recommend you look at other communities that have done a much better job of reviving downtowns and its not just about building affordable housing. Please look at communities like Los Altos and Redwood City to create an environment that contributes to a vital and thriving community. It includes mixed use (both businesses, restaurants and housing).
Also, honestly, isnt Menlo Park in debt right now? Why would you just give away land in Menlo Park? If you are going to do something like develop this for housing, why not lease the land and make some much needed revenue?
Also, can the infrastructure of the town handle all the sewage , water, and gas lines for this amount of housing?? I do not want to pass yet another bond to pay for infrastructure because of a rash decision to squeeze hundreds of apartments into a small area.
You all unfortunately have a lot of power here and I am not sure it should be your decision to make. I honestly think this big of a decision should be voted on by the entire community.
In my opinion, a good amount of time and community input and looking at other models that have succeeded before you make a decision is warranted here.

Thank you,
Peg Taylor