Residents of Menlo Park’s Linfield Oaks neighborhood have been very outspoken against development projects planned for their area, and one resident says neighbors are looking to file a lawsuit against the city.
Attorneys have been retained, and are examining development plans for the Linfield Oaks neighborhood, said Don Brawner, a Linfield Oaks resident.
Mr. Brawner, a former transportation commissioner, is one of a group of residents who fervently oppose plans to build 56 new homes at 110 and 175 Linfield Drive — a project approved by the council in March.
Neighbors have also been outspoken against additional development plans for the neighborhood, including plans for 33 homes at 75 Willow Road, 37 homes at 8 Homewood Place, and the conversion of commercial space at 321 Middlefield Road to medical offices.
About 200 residents signed a 2005 petition against converting commercial space into high-density residential projects.
All of the projects would require zoning amendments and changes to the general plan, and neighbors have argued the proposed developments would increase traffic and overburden schools.
“This is the rape of Menlo Park,” Mr. Brawner said. “[The city] is trashing the general plan with no consensus of the electorate.”
He did not specify how many neighbors are involved in a potential lawsuit against the city, or on what grounds the group would base its case.
“The attorneys are viewing development in this town, and when the next wave of projects comes through, we may have something to announce,” he said.
Draft environmental impact reports for the 321 Middlefield Road and 75 Willow Road proposals will be available for comment starting July 17, and the Planning Commission is scheduled to hold public hearings on both proposals July 31.
Council candidate?
Linfield Oaks neighbors are looking to back a candidate from their neighborhood for one of three open council seats up for grabs in November, Mr. Brawner said.He said neighbors are ready to support a candidate who will uphold the general plan, and specifically oppose the conversion of commercial space to high-density residential projects.
“[Linfield Oaks] has always played a role in the election,” he said. “We’re already in communication with various candidates. … We’ve got to stop these greedy developers from changing the face of our city.”
