Zoning ordinance should be decided by vote Zoning ordinance should be decided by vote (January 28, 2004)

By Joanne Goldberg

On Jan. 13, the Menlo Park City Council voted to enact a residential zoning ordinance. In doing so, they ignored a flood of email opposing the ordinance, overlooked the concerns of dozens of residents who took the time to attend council meetings and voice their objections, discounted their own planning commission's report and recommendations, and finessed the fact that support among residents was almost non-existent.

For years the residents of Menlo Park have been asking for revisions to the existing ordinance. Neighbors of so-called "standard" lots were unhappy that the existing ordinance gave carte blanche to developers to build monster homes. At the same time, owners of "substandard" lots were unhappy about restrictions on remodeling that prevented them from adequately accommodating their families. Shouldn't we be glad that we have a new ordinance?

The short answer: no. After waiting so long, we deserve an ordinance that both protects residents and gives prospective remodelers enough room to grow. We need an ordinance that is clear and unequivocal. An ordinance that is primarily focused on ensuring that Menlo Park can continue to progress without impairing the character of the city or the quality of life for residents. An ordinance that does not give free rein to speculative developers. An ordinance that allows all residents to benefit from the due process currently enjoyed only by neighbors of substandard lots.

Although many people expressed their views to the council, the council did not actively elicit public opinion. Because this is a critical issue, all residents and property owners should have complete information and be given a chance to ask questions and make up their minds. Therefore, a number of concerned residents, including me, are circulating petitions asking for a referendum on the issue.

Last week in the Almanac, our honorable mayor Lee Duboc warned us not to sign the petition, stating that the consequences of doing so would be severe and dire. With all due respect to Mayor Duboc, this is incorrect. The purpose of a referendum is to bring an issue to the voters.

If the petition drive is successful, there will be a referendum on the ballot. The referendum will allow us, not the City Council, to decide whether we like the revised ordinance or not. Moreover, because the referendum will be on the ballot during a regular election, there will be no incremental cost to taxpayers.

What will happen if the referendum fails? Is the new ordinance so horrible that we will we see monster homes on every street? Probably not. Given the current economic climate, it's quite possible that the developers will be happy to lay low until the 18-month trial period has ended. But when boom times return, we'll find ourselves saddled with a badly-worded ordinance whose negative repercussions will impact neighborhoods throughout the city.

Let the people of Menlo Park decide. Please sign the petition to put the referendum on the ballot.

Joanne Goldberg lives in Linfield Oaks and will be seeking signatures on a petition to put Menlo Park's new zoning ordinance to a vote. To succeed, the petition needs 1,700 signatures.

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