Higher-density housing likely for downtown Menlo project Higher-density housing likely for downtown Menlo project (January 07, 2004)

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

Moving a step closer to reality, a housing and retail project in downtown Menlo Park will be the topic of a special City Council discussion on Tuesday, January 13.

Planned to be built on 3.5 acres on Oak Grove Avenue and Derry Lane, a small street off Oak Grove, east of El Camino Real, the development will likely include higher-density homes rather than single-family houses, said Jim Pollart, vice president of land acquisition and planning for the O'Brien Group. The San Mateo home builder is partnering with the Derry family, which owns the land, to build the project.

Higher-density homes, such as apartments or condominiums, would be appropriate because the area is downtown and close to public transit, Mr. Pollart said. Offices could also be a possibility along Oak Grove, he added.

Mr. Pollart declined to give further details about the plan, saying that it is in its early stages and that he would prefer to comment further after the council study session.

The developers sought this "informal" study session because they hoped to gauge before submitting a project application what the council's reaction would be, Mr. Pollart said. The project is expected to require both an environmental impact report and rezoning of the land, which is zoned primarily for commercial uses, he said.

The land now holds businesses including Foster's Freeze and Wo Sing Laundry & Dry Cleaners. The O'Brien Group will work with those tenants to see if there could be a place for them in the new development, Mr. Pollart said.

The O'Brien Group also built the Vintage Oaks housing development next to St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park.

The study session is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Fireside Room of the Burgess Recreation Center and last until the regular council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.

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