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Menlo Watch: Sustainable Menlo takes on housing issue

by Sean Howell

Sustainable Menlo Park, a group founded by David Bohannon and helmed by former councilman Chuck Kinney, will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to discuss affordable housing in San Mateo County.

The meeting is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Burgess Recreation Center, in the Civic Center complex between Laurel and Alma streets.

Speakers will include Duane Bay, the county's director of housing, and Chris Mohr, executive director of the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Mr. Bay and Mr. Mohr have been involved in efforts to create new affordable housing and rehabilitate homes across the county, according to Mr. Kinney.

Nearly 100 houses in Menlo Park are in some stage of foreclosure, according to the Web site realtytrac.com — most of them in the Belle Haven neighborhood. The city is currently looking into the idea of buying up foreclosed properties and reselling them as "below market rate" units.

Climate action plan

Menlo Park residents have until Sunday, March 1, to offer their input on the city's climate action plan, according to Dianne Dryer, the city's environmental programs coordinator.

The plan provides a breakdown of the source of carbon emissions in the city, and outlines steps the city can take to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases.

The plan can be viewed on the city's Web site at tinyurl.com/MPclimate. Copies of the plan are also available at City Hall.

Bicycle Commission

Menlo Park is accepting applications to the city's Bicycle Commission. Four 4-year terms on the seven-person commission will expire in April, according to the city clerk. In addition, spots are open for two terms that have been vacated by commission members; those are set to expire in 2011.

The commission is charged with analyzing issues related to bicycle safety and bike-related facilities. Commission members are appointed by the City Council.

Applications can be obtained at tinyurl.com/aq6e2q, at City Hall, or by e-mailing City Clerk Margaret Roberts at MSRoberts@menlopark.org. They must be submitted by 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5.

Packed agenda

The City Council will not hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, however the council calendar for Feb. 24 is packed.

At the Feb. 24 meeting, the council is tentatively scheduled to consider mid-year budget cuts; plans for "safe routes" to Encinal School; sending a letter to the High-Speed Rail Authority regarding environmental considerations about plans to shoot high-speed trains up the Peninsula; and approval of the issuance of debt by the local agency that handles waste management issues, presumably for a new waste treatment facility.

Results of a recent city survey are also scheduled be presented at the Feb. 24 meeting, along with the Menlo Park School District's renovation plans at Hillview School.

The Feb. 24 meeting is set to begin at 5:45 p.m. — earlier than usual — in the council chambers in the Menlo Park Civic Center, between Laurel and Alma Streets.