Menlo Watch: City postpones action on fire sprinklers Menlo Watch: City postpones action on fire sprinklers (December 10, 2003)

A plan to require automatic fire sprinklers to be installed in most new homes and many homes undergoing major remodeling will not be on the December 9 agenda of the Menlo Park City Council, as had been tentatively scheduled.

City staff couldn't complete the staff report in time, and also wanted to give the public more time to review the proposal, City Manager David Boesch said. The plan will probably come before the council January 13, he said.

The Atherton City Council has already given preliminary approval to the ordinance, which Menlo Park Fire Protection District officials hope will also pass the East Palo Alto City Council and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Fire district officials say the cost of sprinkler installation is typically under $3 a square foot.
Home-building rules on upcoming agenda

A controversial plan to streamline Menlo Park's approval process for building and renovating single-family homes is tentatively set to come back before the City Council on Tuesday, December 16.

Now that city staff have finalized the ordinance, the council has scheduled a first reading. The council has been split 3-2, with Mayor Lee Duboc and council members Nicholas Jellins and Mickie Winkler voting in support of the plan. Councilmen Chuck Kinney and Paul Collacchi have expressed concern that it could allow more oversized homes.

Proponents say the ordinance would make the process more even-handed and easier to navigate.

The December 16 meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 801 Laurel St.
Tree-removal process faster

Changes in Menlo Park's process for removing heritage trees have resulted in most applicants obtaining tree-removal permits for diseased, dead or deteriorated trees in half the time, according to a city staff report.

Earlier this year, the City Council and the Environmental Quality Commission asked staff to streamline the process. Changes have included sending advance notices to neighbors within 100 feet, not 300 feet, of the tree being removed, and issuing a removal permit without first mailing a notice to the neighbors that the removal has been approved.

The city requires property owners to get permits before they remove or substantially prune heritage trees, which are defined as trees whose trunks have grown to a certain size, depending on the type of tree.
Meetings canceled

The December 23 and December 30 Menlo Park City Council meetings have been canceled for the holidays.

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