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Menlo Watch: Scoping session on city's plan or downtown

by Sean Howell

A long-term planning project for Menlo Park's downtown will be the subject of a "scoping session" during the Dec. 15 City Council meeting.

The session is a formalized step in the environmental review process, according to state law. People are invited to give feedback on what topics the city should analyze in the environmental review process.

Through the plan, the city is expected to outline new zoning guidelines and capital improvements in downtown Menlo Park, along El Camino Real, and around the train station.

An initial draft of the plan is scheduled for release in early spring. Residents will have several opportunities to offer feedback on that plan, through the environmental review process and otherwise, before it comes before the council for a final vote.

In addition to speaking at the meeting, people can submit written comments by e-mailing city planner Thomas Rogers (throgers@menlopark.org), or via mail at: Thomas Rogers, Associate Planner/City of Menlo Park/Community Development Department, Planning Division/701 Laurel St./Menlo Park, CA 94025. Comments are due by Jan. 8.

MP reverses course on parking ban

Menlo Park's police department brings us the final word on overnight holiday parking (we hope): Enforcement will be relaxed, but only for a few days.

People can park on Menlo Park streets without fear of getting cited on the nights of Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, according to spokeswoman Logan Bruttig.

That's not as lenient as the usual two-week period sans enforcement, but it's better than total enforcement. Police spokeswoman Nicole Acker had previously told us that the city's standing ban on overnight parking would not be lifted at all during the holidays.

For more information, call the police department at 330-6308.