Menlo Park City Council:

High density housing sounds like it could be a good concept – but at
what price? And who pays it? Well – we all pay the price. In more
crowded schools, in more congested traffic, in fewer trees and more
concrete, and in taller buildings that cast giant shadows.

The proposed amendment to allow a maximum building height of 56’ is an
unacceptable price for high density. By comparison, the roof line at
Menlo Square, the residential building behind Gambardella’s, is 35’, a
difference of 21’. Can you imagine adding 21’ to Menlo Square, perhaps
allowing five stories instead of the current three?

The roof line at Menlo Center, above Kepler’s Bookstore, is 46’. Can you
imagine adding 10’ to that building? Now imagine pushing the front of
the building towards El Camino, until it is within 15’ of the curb as
proposed in this project before you. Does the large water fountain
remain? Sorry – no room. What about all those tables set back from the
street where you can meet friends for a cup of coffee? Sorry – no room!
Is this the future of Menlo Park? I hope not!

The roof line of the Glenwood Inn to the West of this proposed project
is 35’. Those are rental units for Senior Adults, so the residents may
not have received the same notice as I did about this meeting; but they
are certainly affected by its outcome! The proposed setback on the West
side of the project is only 10’, and the Glenwood Inn has a similar
setback. This would allow the two buildings to be just 20’ apart. The
proposed project has a 52’ high roof line, so at a distance of only 20’,
it forms an angle of almost 70°. Do you know how many hours the Sun will
shine on the base of the Glenwood Inn during the short days of winter?
Zero! The Sun will not rise above this roof line at that time of year.

What about those two beautiful Redwoods along El Camino? According to
the plans, one is 84’ tall while the other is 72’. We don’t have many
trees of that stature, especially along the El Camino corridor. With
this proposed project, they would both be removed, along with seven
other heritage trees for a total of 100% of the heritage trees affected
by this project.

So I ask again, what price will we pay for high density housing? Is it a
56’ face along El Camino just steps from the curb? Is it removal of 100%
of our heritage trees whenever they impede progress? Is it elimination
of a sunrise for our senior residents?

My request is that you reject these amendments and this project as
proposed until there is a vision for this corridor that all of Menlo
Park can embrace for our future.

Sincerely,

Jim Bramlett

1410 Mills Court

Menlo Park, CA 94025

 
Received on Thu Mar 15 08:55:20 2007