On Friday night my 12 and 14 year old walked by themselves to Menlo-Atherton High School to watch the M-A Drama production of The Old Man and The Old Moon (the final performance is this afternoon, Sunday, March 20th at 5pm - get tickets at the door or purchase in advance here). They LOVED it. They couldn't stop talking about the great performances, amazing set design and creative lighting effects. As their mom, I loved that my kids were able to safely and independently walk to this incredible venue, on their own. I am excited about all of the other experiences they will continue to be able to enjoy, in our beautiful city.
My vision of Menlo Park is one in which our community's kids can confidently walk and bike around, to visit one another, and enjoy our local amenities, without fearing for their safety. I will continue to work hard so that not just my kids, and not just kids, but people of all ages and abilities can access the treasures in Menlo Park. Thank you for continuing to trust in me to help make this vision a reality.
Apply Today for Springline Below Market Rate Housing Units
Application Deadline is Tuesday, March 22nd
Applications are being accepted for a total of 20 below market rate rental (BMR) housing units at Springline, located at 1300 El Camino Real. Future tenants whose income qualifies are encouraged to apply. Six units are reserved for moderate income households and 14 units are reserved for low income households:
Six moderate income (120% area median income*) 1-bedroom units for $3,136/month
Three low income (80% area median income*) 2-bedroom units for $3,010/month
Eleven low income (80% area median income*) 1-bedroom units for $2,509/month
Rents amount may change when the income limits and utility allowances are updated
HouseKeys is Menlo Park’s BMR administrator and manages the application process and lottery drawing for the BMR units. The deadline to apply is March 22, 2022. For information about the income requirements and how to apply for the available 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom BMR units, visit the HouseKeys Springline webpage.
Middle Avenue Complete Streets Survey
Deadline is March 24th at 5pm
The Middle Avenue Complete Street project proposes bicycle and pedestrian improvements along the entire length of Middle Avenue between El Camino Real and Olive Street to enhance the safety of all users.
Please provide your input about this project by taking a very short online survey (here) by 5:00 pm, March 24. Your feedback helps the City evaluate different options and features.
This survey is a follow-up to a recent meeting that was held both via Zoom and in person at Nealon Park. A video from the virtual meeting is available to watch on the City's YouTube channel (here). View to hear more about the project and get answers to your questions.
Visit the Middle Avenue Complete Street project website (here) to sign up for project updates, learn more about the project, and get more information on upcoming events and opportunities.
Parkline (SRI) Project Study Session
at Planning Commission on Monday, March 28th
The Planning Commission will be holding a Study Session via Zoom on the Parkline (SRI Campus) Project on Monday, March 28th. The meeting agenda and staff report will be available for review the Thursday before the meeting date and will be located here. Those interested in the project can also view detailed project documents that have been submitted to the City here (under "Related Documents").
Menlo Flats Final Environmental Impact Report Released,
To Be Reviewed at March 28th Planning Commission Meeting
Menlo Flats would redevelop an existing site with 158 multifamily residential units and approximately 15,000 square feet of commercial space, including 13,400 square feet of office space, and 1,600 square feet commercial space. The project is at 165 Jefferson Drive in District 1.
At the March 28th Planning Commission meeting the commission will review and determine whether to certify the project-level Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Planning Commission will also review and act on the requested land use entitlements for the proposed project, which include a use permit, architectural control permit, and a below market rate housing agreement. The Planning Commission’s decision on the land use entitlements and certification of the Final EIR are final, unless the Planning Commission’s decision is appealed to the City Council. Please visit the Menlo Flats project page for more details.
Environmental Justice Element and Safety Element
(Part of the Housing Element Update Process to the City's General Plan)
Hybrid (In Person and Via Zoom) Meeting on April 5th at 6pm
Map from California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool: CalEnviroScreen 4.0. CalEnviroScreen is a screening methodology that can be used to help identify California communities that are disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution.
As part of the General Plan Housing Element Update process, the City of Menlo Park is updating its Safety Element and preparing a new Environmental Justice Element. To share information and obtain community input, the City is holding a hybrid meeting (in person at City Council chambers and online via Zoom) on Tuesday, April 5th at 6pm.
The community meeting will include presentations of neighborhood profiles that highlight local pollution burdens and population characteristics. There will also be an overview of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which assesses hazard vulnerabilities and ways to reduce potential risks.
For more information about the meeting, click here. Please visit the Housing Element Update webpage to view the latest information/events regarding the Environmental Justice, Safety and Housing Elements.
Walk and Roll Video Challenge
Deadline to Enter is Monday, April 11th
The Menlo Park Safe Routes to School Video Challenge promotes walking and rolling to your favorite places. In conjunction with Walk + Wheel to School, the City is conducting this challenge to learn more about how YOU walk, roll and bike around town. It can be a school, park, store, or anyplace you love to visit via active transportation.
To participate, fill out your contact information and submit your video here by April 11th. Your video and submission form will be sent to the Safe Routes to School Coordinator. The City will be giving out first, second, third place prizes and a classroom prize!
Reimagining Public Safety/Policing "Safe Space" District Meetings
District 3 on Wednesday, April 13th at 6pm
Community-Wide Conversation/Town Hall on June 1st
I hope you will join me and your neighbors in District 3, in a “safe space” conversation about reimagining policing and public safety. Five separate district-based conversations will be taking place across Menlo Park over the next several months, culminating in a citywide community meeting on June 1. The District 3 meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 13th at 6pm via Zoom. You can register in advance, and also look-up your address to confirm you district and see other district meeting dates, here.
The goal of these meetings is for you and your neighbors to feel comfortable speaking freely in open dialogue with a trained and unbiased facilitator, Dr. Terri Givens, to help identify pain points and areas for improvement in our police department. This is also an opportunity to discuss services and programs the police department has provided in the past or currently provides that are valuable to the community. Your feedback will be used to inform changes where necessary, identify opportunities to better serve our community and help outline a path forward.
Please note that in order to encourage residents to share their personal experiences with our public safety officers, there will not be any attendance or involvement from the Police Department at these “safe space” meetings. The meetings will not be recorded and information shared will not be tied back to individuals without their permission. That being said, the Police Department and its officers and staff are partners with us in this initiative and will attend the June 1 community meeting to hear high level feedback and will be key stakeholders in discussions about next steps.
I look forward to an open conversation with you and others at the District 3 meeting on Wednesday, April 13th at 6pm. Again, you can register here.
We Love Earth Festival
Saturday, April 16th from 10am to 2pm at Flood Park
Come join in a day of educational and family oriented activities to celebrate our planet. The We Love Earth Festival is a family-friendly, outdoor celebration of the earth and an opportunity to learn actions we can all take to address the climate crisis.
Many environmentally-conscious organizations around the Bay Area will be at this event and attendees can learn more about various topics including clean transportation, home electric appliances, sustainable eating, climate advocacy, and more. There will also be guest speakers, induction cooking demos, storytime, art, and a variety of live animal encounters! Visit the We Love Earth Festival page on Eventbrite to register and to find a list of event sponsors and exhibitors. I hope to see you and your family on April 16th!
Serve on the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury
Application Deadline is April 29th
The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury is currently accepting applications for the 2022-23 term. The Civil Grand Jury serves as an independent public watchdog of local government across San Mateo County. To learn more about this opportunity visit http://www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/grand_jury/ and to apply fill out an application here. The deadline to apply is April 29th.
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