From: Peter Carpenter > Subject: April 12, 2021 Agenda item - Please preserve Park Forest's unique architectural character Date: April 5, 2021 at 11:38:35 AM PDT To: Menlo Park Planning Commission > Cc: "ParkForestPlus@groups.io" >, The Almanac >
Dear Planning Commissioners,
You have before you a request to significantly modify the front facade of 161 Stone Pine Lane. The Park Forest townhome community has unique architectural features as a result of the manner of its original design and staged construction. Unlike most developments Park Forest was built in small increments and each of the units was built to a slightly different design. As a consequence the end result is a community of some 90 units each with slightly different facades and most with significant setbacks and balconies. This creates a European village style of architecture that is attractive and unique in Menlo Park. These townhomes are examples of the diverse and modulated front facades:
[cid:3008BCEE-642F-4BE0-AA54-8CDF48569EA7]
[cid:0E2CD788-CC15-4017-BCA1-A55820DE028E] What is being proposed for 161 Stone Pine is a monolithic facade with no setbacks and virtually no balconies.
Here is an example of how dramatically different a Park Forest townhome facade looks when the balconies and setbacks are eliminated:
[cid:15DB2F3C-129B-4D43-A8B5-6CE298404A1F] It would be tragic if, one unit at a time, Park Forest is transformed from a diverse collection of modulated front facades and becomes a single monolith of flat front facades with no setbacks.
When Park Forest was annexed into the City the units all became non-conforming and the owners have not vested right to increase their livable square footage. Cutting down a forest one tree at a time does not change the fact that you are cutting down a forest! I urge you to deny this application and to consider a moratorium on any further elimination of balconies and reductions in setbacks for all of the Park Forest townhomes.
