Arlinda,

Thank you so much for your quick, thorough response. Certainly this outcome is disappointing for Danceworks and its patrons, but it appears every action was taken by the city to find a way to keep Danceworks within the boundaries of Menlo Park. In addition, these actions demonstrate a commitment from the city to successfully negotiate the intricate relationship between community members and the businesses they live near.

Regards,
Jenny Beeler

On Jun 12, 2008, at 11:05 AM, Heineck, Arlinda A wrote:

> Jenny,
>
> I appreciate having the opportunity to provide you and others with
> information on Dance Works Incorporated.
>
> The building in which Dance Works is located operates under a 1996
> use permit issued by the City of Menlo Park. The use permit allows
> for retail stores, financial establishments, non-medical offices and
> personal services to locate in the building. In addition, the
> permit identifies a 2,069-square foot, second floor residential
> unit. The use of the building was restricted because of the limited
> number of parking spaces associated with the building. Private
> recreational uses, such as fitness facilities and dance studios may
> be considered for the property if a separate use permit is obtained
> for the individual business. The separate use permit is required
> for these types of businesses so that possible impacts, especially
> parking, could be analyzed and addressed for each business.
>
> Unfortunately, ownership of the building and busineses within the
> building changed hands several times and it appears that knowledge
> of the occupancy requirements was not understood by future tenants,
> including Dance Works. As uses changed, parking impacts began to
> emerge and the City received numerous complaints on the parking
> situation for the property. As a result of the investigation of the
> parking complaints, the City became aware of several violations
> pertaining to the building requiring the City to take action to
> correct the situation.
>
> Specific to Dance Works, the City notifed the property owner and
> business owner in April 2008 of several violations. The violations
> included conversion of the residential unit and garage to the dance
> studio without obtaining the required permits and operation of the
> dance studio without a business license. The City gave the
> business owner until May 15, 2008 to correct the violations. This
> timeline was later extended to June 30, 2008. Following the
> notification, the business owner began working cooperatively with
> the City to address the situation, including the options of applying
> for an individual use permit to stay in the building and searching
> for other locations in Menlo Park and adjacent jurisdictions.
> Ultimately, the business owner choose to relocate to Redwod City.
>
> As Council Member Boyle has said, we take very seriously the
> business climate in Menlo Park and make every effort to work with
> business owners to meet their individual needs. We too are sorry to
> see Dance Works leave the City, but ultimately understand that it is
> a decision for the business owner.
>
> Please feel free to contact me directly if you have additional
> questions.
>
> Arlinda Heineck
> Community Development Director
> 701 Laurel Street
> Menlo Park, CA 94025
> (650) 330-6715
> aaheineck@menlopark.org
>
>
> From: Boyle, John C
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:51 AM
> To: Jenny Beeler; Heineck, Arlinda A; Rojas, Glen; Johnson, David R
> Cc: Beeler Charles; Angelique Shepherd; Boyle, John C
> Subject: RE: Danceworks
>
> Jenny,
> Thank-you for your letter on this concern. I certainly agree that
> we need to create and maintain an environment in Menlo Park that is
> friendlly and supportive of businesses where possible. I know that
> our City Staff agrees with this value as well. Thank-you for
> reminding us to keep a focus on that important priority.
>
> My understanding of the facts of this particular situation, though,
> is a little different than what you've apparently been told. I've
> cc'd our Director of Community Services, Arlinda Heineck, above as a
> request for her to provide you with more background.
>
> /John Boyle
> City Council Member
>
> From: Jenny Beeler [mailto:jennybeeler@gmail.com]
> Sent: Thu 6/12/2008 12:13 AM
> To: _CCIN
> Cc: Beeler Charles; Angelique Shepherd
> Subject: Danceworks
>
> Hello city council members,
>
> I am writing today as a concerned member of the community.
>
> Both of my daughters are patrons of Dancworks, Inc. (115 Buckthorn
> Way). They have been taking classes from Danceworks instructors
> (including its proprietor, Angelique Shepherd) for the past two
> years and it is a very special, important part of their week. I was
> distressed recently to learn that, due to re-zoning plans,
> Danceworks was asked to vacate their premises on very short notice,
> without regard to their lease. As I understand it, the other
> businesses in the building were also instructed to evacuate on
> extremely short notice.
>
> In my opinion, this is a terrible way to treat businesses residing
> in Menlo Park. It takes no time at all to spread the word that
> Menlo Park is an unfriendly place for small businesses. This is NOT
> the reputation we want. We cannot afford to lose these businesses -
> from a cultural or a financial perspective.
>
> Danceworks provides a terrific service for children of all ages in
> our community and I would be sad and angry to see them have to
> leave. My 4-year-old daughter, Jane, has literally been asking
> daily about her dance class and when it will resume. When I
> received word from Angelique Shepherd that she is going to have to
> close her business, it broke my heart - not just for Jane, but more
> importantly, for Angelique and for the instructors that have
> dedicated their professional careers, time and energy to our
> community. To turn around and ask them to quickly pack up and leave
> is unacceptable.
>
> We need business like Danceworks to feel welcome in our community.
> They provide important, enriching services that make our city
> special and successful.
>
> On a related note, I have a friend looking to open a fitness studio
> in Menlo Park or Palo Alto. The feedback she has given me from her
> pursuit so far is that, due to archaic commercial zoning and high
> rents, opening in Menlo Park is far less desirable than opening a
> business in Palo Alto. When I heard the news from Danceworks, I had
> to turn around and immediately warn my friend looking to open her
> business - this type of fickle behavior wreaks havoc on businesses,
> their owners and their patrons.
>
> PLEASE reconsider moving Danceworks from their current location at
> 115 Buckthorn Way. Or, if it is too late, you must help them find
> an alternative, suitable, same-price location in Menlo Park so that
> they may continue offering the fun, enriching, culturally-imperative
> services they have been successfully providing and which have been
> so well-received in our community.
>
> I look forward to your response.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jenny Beeler
> 301 Yale Road
> Menlo Park, CA 94025
>
>
>
Received on Thu Jun 12 11:25:21 2008