V I E W P O I N T
A call for civility at Menlo council meetings By Clem Molony
At the meeting, a majority of those who spoke were mainly concerned about rush-hour traffic on El he April 24 Almanac gave a balanced report on the Camino Real, neighborhood cut-through traffic and its Menlo Park City Council meeting on April 16, but neglected to report on the tone of the meeting. A impact on family safety, and the size of the proposal (170 number of the speakers who were opposed to Stanford’s apartments on four acres, and three office buildings on the other four acres totaling 200,000 square feet). development proposal acted irresponsibly. I I spoke during the meeting about was surprised by their lack of respect for their trusting the planning process. (That process city leaders and their fellow citizens. worked well a dozen years ago in the Willows Those few who attacked our elected officials neighborhood, to limit cut-through traffic and other speakers were a disgrace to our when offices were built adjacent to us.) Perla town. In addition, it appears that the most Ni followed with her critical remarks, with bombastic of these speakers do not feel any a “Fox News” type slide show. She turned shame for their irresponsible behavior. her back on the council members, and spoke Mayor Peter Ohtaki had specifically asked GUEST mainly to her troops in the audience. for civility during the public hearing. His OPINION Many speakers who followed were guidance was rejected by the leaders of the more sincere, making good points about critics. Today I am calling publicly for a traffic and family safety. Yet, one of Ms. Ni’s repudiation of such tactics in the future, and boosters just yelled her criticisms at the council mema return to trusting our City Council, Planning Combers. When I left around 10 p.m., a woman outside mission and city staff. Here is some perspective: Recall that it was the City yelled at me, “Did Stanford pay you to speak tonight?” Council that requested a public hearing be held regard- I explained, “No; I often participate in planning meeting Stanford’s proposal. They want to hear citizens’ con- ings.” She jeered at me, “You don’t even live in Menlo cerns over traffic and other issues related to Stanford’s Park!” I explained that I do, owning a home here for 40 proposal and the specific plan. Our council members years. Here are some of my comments to the council on the are leaders in seeking an improved project proposal. specific plan: Also, recall that the specific plan resulted from five “I’m speaking tonight for common sense and moderayears of public outreach, expressing the public will. It had a hugely participatory visioning phase, and was tion, and optimism about our wonderful city’s future, adjusted over its final two years to meet many com- even with the Peninsula’s inevitable growth. “I fully understand the fear of the homeowners in munity concerns. The final plan document expresses our residents’ core values, smart-growth goals, and our the Allied Arts neighborhood. A decade ago my Willows neighbors and I were highly vocal about possible wonderful small-town positives.
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L ET T ER S Our readers write
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academic programs, as well as art and music programs. As I have spoken to other residents, many of whom do not have children in schools, I have been very pleased by the broad support for Measure O. The community understands the importance and value of providing our students with the best education possible in our local schools. This support reminds me why we moved to Portola Valley in the first place. Please join me — and many others — in voting yes on Measure O. Stephen Cassani Cervantes Road, Portola Valley
Just say no to plastic playing fields Editor: Now that our town asks us to use paper bags, not plastic bags, and the town of Portola Valley and San Mateo County is sponsoring a green video that demonstrates the immense environmental damage to our environment and marine life from the millions of tons of plastic material we
discard (plastic does NOT recycle), the Portola Valley Town Council should carefully consider whether to allow plastic grass at the Priory playing field. Eventually it must be disposed of, adding tons of plastic to the environment. The conservation element of our general plan asks that proposed projects be judged by their impact on the environment. Plastic grass playing fields would fail that test. Marilyn Walter Coyote Hill, Portola Valley
A chance to do something great for our schools Editor: From now until May 7 we have the opportunity to do something great for our community: Vote yes on Measure O to keep our Portola Valley Schools among the best. Eleven years ago our family relocated from New York to the San Francisco Bay Area. We deliberately chose to live in Portola Valley because of the excellent reputation of the schools. Over the years I have never been disappointed in the schools. I am often amazed at the things my children are learning and the steps that the school’s teachers and staff are taking to support each of my children in their academic growth and development. The
teachers and staff are highly qualified and they really care. When I listen to my children talk about their day, see the work they are doing and progress they are making, I feel blessed that they have been in such a high caliber academic environment. In addition to the exceptionally strong core classes of math, science and English, we have enjoyed the benefits of the creativity cultivated by the strong music and art programs. My kids’ enthusiasm for school speaks volumes about the quality of teachers and programs that exist in our schools. I have had the chance to talk to many members in the community who do not have children in the schools yet are fully committed to supporting Measure O. This reminds me of the reason I came to this community — for the outstanding schools. Please help renew this source of local funding that will stay right here in our schools. It’s a no-brainer. Vote yes on Measure O. Janie MacArthur Portola Valley N TOWN SQUARE Post your news and views on TownSquare at: www.TheAlmanacOnline.com
cut-through traffic from the office development at University and Hwy 101. Cut-through traffic from those office buildings (twice as big as Stanford’s) would ruin our neighborhood. “Well, city staff and leaders listened. The planning process moved forward carefully, adjustments were made, and today those feared problems did not materialize. Our Willows neighborhood is still a peaceful, walking, biking, kid-safe place to live. “I hope my fellow residents will have faith in our city planning and leadership teams. The same good outcome will occur for the Allied Arts neighborhood. Already Stanford is cooperating. The latest plan has 70 percent less medical offices, which reduces car-trips by one-third. There is 35 percent more housing now. The open-space plaza is now 75 percent dedicated to pedestrians and bicycles. “Modest modifications to the specific plan may indeed make sense. I trust the City Council’s judgment. But major modifications, like separating these parcels from the plan, do not make sense. Please listen to the critics tonight. But do not lose faith in your neighbors’ extensive support for our specific plan. It is a balanced, optimistic vision for Menlo Park’s future.” I am pleased that the council set up a subcommittee to continue evaluation of this proposal and of the specific plan. Their work should get us off to a good start toward a return to civility around planning for our future. I hope that Almanac readers will join this call for a return to respect for our City Council and our city planning process. Clem Molony lives on Menalto Avenue in Menlo Park.
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