Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

Menlo briefs: More housing may be coming to Hamilton Ave.

by Sandy Brundage

More housing may be on the way for Hamilton Avenue, if Greenheart Land Company carries through with its plan to build high-density housing.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the $8 million sale of 777-821 Hamilton Ave. at its Nov. 13 meeting. Councilman Andy Cohen was absent.

The sale comes as a result of the state's dissolution of the redevelopment agency, which is now required to dispose of any assets. According to the staff report, proceeds from the sale go to San Mateo County for redistribution to Menlo Park and other entities.

Greenheart told the council it wants to put approximately 30 units per acre on the 2.1-acre parcel. Six owners of properties bordering the lots are also ready to sell to the developer, allowing the project to expand to 7.1 acres, with the exception of a seventh, Jim Calhoun, who owns Calhoun's Country Corner, a woodworking shop at 771 Hamilton Ave. He is reportedly hoping for a better offer. According to Greenheart, the desired price "may not make economic sense" for a for-profit company.

Police get traffic

The Menlo Park Police Department now has $30,000 to apply toward making the city's roads safer, thanks to a state grant.

The grant, obtained from the California Office of Traffic Safety, will be used "for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement and public awareness efforts," the department announced Nov. 14.

Those efforts include impaired-driving recognition and enforcement training, DUI saturation patrols, distracted-driving enforcement, and other initiatives, according to the department.

While traffic deaths declined by nearly 39 percent between 2006 and 2010 in California, according to the announcement, state and federal officials anticipate a slight rise in 2011. DUI deaths account for nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities, but distracted driving and impaired driving incidents are increasing.

"Despite the recent increases, California's roadways are still very much safer than they were before 2006," said OTS Director Christopher Murphy. "The Menlo Park Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and reach the vision we all share — toward zero deaths, every one counts."