We offer the City Council reasons for our united opposition to the Parkline Project.
1) Increased Traffic – In the last few years, large Springline/Middle Plaza complexes have contributed 400 new apartments to a ~ 1 mi Sq Ft area bound by El Camino, Oak Grove Ave, Middlefield/Willow Rds. Traffic bottlenecks frequently stop drivers completely NOW -- and have already resulted in at least 1 railroad fatality - a young driver blocked from moving to safety.
Residents in this area ALREADY must rethink travel across these venues particularly during school (Nativity/Menlo Atherton), beginning/end of work shifts (El Camino/Willow/
Ravenswood/Middle Ave). HOW will an additional 600 residents come in and out of this area?
2) Access to Emergency Care – The neighborhood is home to many elderly, middle/fixed income Menlo Park homeowners who will need emergency vehicle access as they age-in-place. Congested access to major thorough fares ALREADY complicates reaching life-saving care at Sequoia/Kaiser/Stanford Hospitals.
3) Changing the Character of the Neighborhood – Many of the current homeowners have lived in their modest homes for years, established relationships with their neighbors and have faithfully contributed to city taxes. There is a “pride of place” that comes with home ownership. The city would add 600 new residents to a neighborhood still processing Springline/Middle Plaza projects?
And what can homeowner’s expect from Zoning Change/Heritage Tree Removal Permits? Will removing existing “Heritage Trees“ be part of the “traffic mitigation plan”? Will rezoning mean single family homes/condominiums will continue to be overwhelmed by EVEN MORE business?
4) Will Rents REALLY Be Affordable? Springline rents range between $4,996-$8,212 (mean $4,125), while Middle Plaza Apartments average $4,125 (range $2,791-$5,466). Do you actually think “low income rents “ offered will allow teachers, firefighters, nurses, young professionals to move here?
5) Pure Greed – What makes Menlo Park desirable is space between homes, cohesive neighborhoods, blue skies, trees and excellent public schools. We fear city greed for increased corporate/resident tax bases will backfire by diminishing these attributes. How will you run water/sewer/ electrical/communication services to 600 – 800 – new residents? You will be sacrificing heritage trees for expanded streets; open skies for telecommunication/powerlines and excellent public schools with increased crowding. The cost of the hard infrastructure to accommodate necessary city services will be borne by the homeowners who currently live here.
Yes, those who have been quietly paying taxes to our City Council in good faith that their interests would be prioritized.
WHEN WILL YOU STOP THIS UNSUSTAINABLE GROWTH?
Mary Pat Kelly, President
Oak Grove Place Condominium HOA
1150/1160 Pine Street (12 homeowners)
1150-F Menlo Park, CA. 9402
Cell 650-906-0529
Email kellymarypat180@yahoo.com
