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Publication Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 LETTERS
LETTERS
(February 11, 2004)
Start over on zoning with cooler heads
Editor:
Regarding the editorial "Final shot at the zoning ordinance" last week, I wonder if we all couldn't just sit down together, start over and try to arrive at that "halfway" point that you cited?
As one who became deeply involved in the issue more than four years ago, I despair at the volume of confusing rhetoric now advanced by both "sides," but moreover, by the time and city money spent and lack of resolve for the citizens of Menlo Park.
Why is it so hard to come up with simple guidelines for building or remodeling homes? One that balances concerns about the character of a neighborhood with the economics of an evolving housing market. Other cities do it.
What is "halfway" in this issue? And who is objectively free of vested interest to see it clearly?
How about everybody just putting all of the history and negative baggage behind them, and commit that same energy toward a positive happy medium. The referendum offers that opportunity.
Idealistic, for sure. But it would be ideal for Menlo Park.
Dan Dippery
Santa Rita Avenue, Menlo Park
Zoning debate not a constructive process
Editor:
The continuing opposition to Menlo Park's new residential zoning ordinance is disheartening -- not because it's tiring, but because it is not constructive.
Where Ms. Goldberg claims (Almanac guest opinion Jan. 28) a hurried process without public involvement, I saw community group outreach, repeated hearings including two postponements for further comments, plus much press coverage and letters to the editor spanning a year.
It is indeed difficult for a commission, borne to pass judgment on each person's efforts to enlarge a small house, to give up that power. Their concern is honorable, but the need to micromanage has to give way to process. We clamored for clear rules, less frustration and less mothering.
Many of us spoke loudly for increased privacy from second story windows, but that doesn't mean junking the objective rules system. We were trying to improve it, and the City Council did respond. There is no valid reason that those with specific concerns can't work within the system. The attack flyers [of those supporting the referendum] are way off base.
I would like to start a constructive effort with an invitation: Let each neighborhood draft a list to address the specific concerns. If they are real, a draft amendment will stand the test of the same public scrutiny Ms. Goldberg missed the first time around.
Meanwhile, the ordinance oversight committee will be making notes as well. Either could lead to citywide changes, or neighborhood overlays.
Menlo Park has seen enough righteous bitterness aired in the last 14 months. For those who feel the job is not complete, let's complete it.
Henry Riggs
Callie Lane, Menlo Park
Concern about church business in shopping area
Editor:
In the last two weeks, the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church has embarked on a course destined to put them at odds with both the citizens and business community of Menlo Park.
According to Bill Frimel, the church's business manager, church officials have filled out the papers to open a book store and meeting room right square in the center of downtown, at 700 Santa Cruz Ave., the former site of IMG and before that Menlo Hardware.
This is a great retail site, but the bookstore (to comply with retail zoning) and meeting room are meant to attract Christians to the church, not retail customers to the downtown complex.
The city needs tax dollars. If "Menlo Pres" is to be considered a "good citizen" of Menlo Park, they should volunteer some of their resources (and powerful parishioners) to help the city find a national anchor tenant for the site.
Pat White
Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
Sequoia Hospital has legacy of excellent care
Editor:
In response to your recent coverage of the battle between Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Sequoia Hospital, I wanted to note that what has been forgotten is Sequoia Hospital's position as one of the leading hospitals in the Bay Area and California.
It is in the interest of this community to ensure that we continue this legacy of health care excellence. For the past five decades, Sequoia has worked very hard to become a hospital of excellence. It has fostered and supported outstanding physicians in all areas of practice, and helped facilitate excellence in its clinical programs.
It has worked very hard to recruit and maintain a nursing and support staff that is second to none, allowing physicians an excellent environment for patient care. It has a solid financial balance sheet. In an increasingly challenging environment for reimbursement, cost of care a and physician and employee recruitment and retention, Sequoia has excelled.
These are the reasons Sequoia Hospital was recently recognized by HealthGrades with its Distinguished Hospital Award, which ranks Sequoia among the top 3.5 percent of hospitals in the nation.
As developments unfold, it is important to remember that a hospital like Sequoia does not come by easily. Sequoia Hospital has served this community well for more than 50 years - and I for one, believe it is worth fighting for.
Andy Cresci
Seminary Drive, Menlo Park
B & B neighbor grateful for board action
Editor:
I am a neighbor of the proposed B & B (bed & breakfast) at 1201 W. Selby Lane in Redwood City. This has been my neighborhood for 18 years.
I want to thank Supervisor Rich Gordon for responding to our concerns and to all the supervisors for passage of the urgency ordinance that establishes interim regulations for a bed and breakfast.
I do not believe that your article (Almanac, Jan. 28) was accurate in reporting that the neighborhood has mixed reactions to the B & B. Aside from one neighbor who was quoted in the article, I do not know of any homeowner who is in favor of having this hotel business in the middle of our neighborhood.
While I appreciate that you pointed out both sides of the argument, the overwhelming majority of us do not want the B & B in our midst because it will increase traffic and noise, reduce street parking for homeowners, reduce safety for pedestrians, including students at Selby Lane School, and bring a commercial element to our quiet, family-oriented neighborhood.
Thank you again Supervisor Gordon for a job well done.
Susan Abramson
Malory Court, Redwood City
About the Stegner lecture series
Editor:
1 Thank you for your mention of the Peninsula Open Space Trust's upcoming Wallace Stegner Lecture Series in last week's Almanac, and in particular for your mention of series sponsors Bill and Jean Lane.
Bill and Jean, who were close friends of the late Pulitzer-prize winning author Wallace Stegner, are the founding sponsors of the series that honors Wally and supports POST's land-protection work. Not only do Bill and Jean provide generous financial support, but also inspiration for the lecture series.
Bill's long-standing interest in the Lewis and Clark expedition led to the "Great Adventurers" theme of this year's series in celebration of the bicentennial of the expedition.
Audrey Rust
President, Peninsula Open Space Trust
Supporter of open space district expansion
Editor:
I am writing to express my support of the expansion of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to the San Mateo coast. As a long-time member of the peninsula community, I have enjoyed and appreciated the many benefits of open space. It is my sincere hope that these protections be extended to include the coastal region.
Without the protection of the district, our coast will be subject to uncontrolled development. This will lead to the loss of precious farm and recreational areas. I do not want to see our beautiful coast become another Tracy, Sacramento, or Los Angeles.
I certainly hope the district's coastal protection program is successful. We need more room to breathe.
John F. Lynch
Half Moon Bay
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