Mr. Draeger wouldn't have to be concerned with another market moving into town if they actually provided quality that is equal to their prices. They used to, but not any more. They are now just over priced. When I want the quality (and value) that Draegers used to provide I go to Andronicos. But, that is usually what seems to happen when the kids take over the business from the parents that built it. They get greedy. Draegers quality has been sliding for a number of years. Too bad they would go to the sleazy lengths they obviously did to prevent Whole Foods from coming to town. Can't wait to see what they and Beltramos do against the move-in of Bevmo.

What has really been missed here is that this council, which has so strongly supported green house gas emission reductions and standards, would settle when the basis of the lawsuit was the project doesn't meet greenhouse gas emission reductions the City so wants.

The supporters of the Green movement, led by Fergusson and Robinson on council, with Gail Slocum leading the charge in the background, have completely left the movement down with this settlement.

Of course, this kind of vote is totally consistent with their support for the Bohannon project. They want the Green Movement supporters to think they have voted for a really Green project, This is simply not the case. How can it be, when the location near 101, demands transportation via autos, which will produce 70% of the pollution.

Just think about all of this...

Another view states:"Just think about all of this..." when reflecting on the disparate ways that some of the council members vote on different projects. This is called pragmatism - just going with the winds and not having a firm and consistent position on important issues.

Do we really need another national chain to further degrade the unique character of menlo park? Go for it voters and don't whine when you can't tell if you are in Menlo Park or any other generic town in the country. And by the way, why pay to be here when any other city will do?

EIR lawsuits are not about the environment. They're just about being another way to get what you want. Just wait until the Downtown Old-Timers Non-Resident Club sues to stop the (lame, watered-down, non-progressive) downtown vision plan.

Just Wait makes a good point. Environmental concerns are an excuse to stop projects for other reasons. The settlement didn't include any environmental revisions, just a smaller store, no quick alcohol sales and money for the plaintiffs' attorneys.

These lawsuits are frivolous and our general plan sets the stage for them. It was written more than 15 years ago by a no growth coalition headed by Gail Slocum. It needs to be updated to prevent these lawsuits.

Example: Remove level of service traffic standards at the intersections so traffic can't be used as a justification for a suit.

Long Time Resident states:"our general plan sets the stage for them. It was written more than 15 years"

A General Plan that is that old does not comply with State Law period.

Here are excerpts from the State guidance on General Plans:
"If the board or council finds itself making frequent
piecemeal amendments, major defects may exist in the
general plan. In these cases, the jurisdiction should consider
a plan update or a major plan revision to address
these issues." Sound familiar?

"the housing element is subject to detailed statutory requirements
regarding its content and must be updated every five
years." When did MP last update the housing element?

"Wells (1989) 209 Cal.App.3d 1005,
exemplifies the type of action a court may take after it
invalidates a general plan. After holding Indian Well’s
general plan invalid for failure to achieve internal consistency
and failure to address various statutorily required
issues in the housing element, the trial court
ordered the city to bring its general plan into compliance
with state law and imposed a moratorium. The
court order prevented the city from granting building
permits and discretionary land use approvals such as
subdivision maps, rezoning, and variances until it updated
its general plan." MP might be tempting some law suits.

"Performing periodic comprehensive reviews
and updates of the general plan can help to identify
internal inconsistencies so that they may be corrected." How true.

“The general plan update process is an opportunity to build community connections by bringing people together to work for a better future. It is also an opportunity to educate community members about their community and build a sense of pride.” Sounds like just what is needed.

"Keep in mind that while an area or community plan may provide greater
detail to policies affecting development in a defined area, adopting one or a series of such plans does not substitute for regular updates to the general plan. Many of the mandatory general plan issues are most effectively addressed on a jurisdiction-wide basis that ties together the policies of the individual area or community plans." Sounds like something worth doing.

It's long been our State Law, and Judicial interpretation of Legislative Intent, as embodied in countless case law decisions.
Just google "Government Code 65302"
Read paragraphs a) and b) slowly and carefully. Note the use of the term "Standards" and "integrated and internally consistent" set of General Plan elements.
Every municipality must adopt Standards, not only for population density and intensity of land use, but standards for a circulation system that is correlated with the land use element.
That is why MP has LOS intersection standards and a roadway classification system.
This is designed to prevent runaway growth that outstrips infrastructure constraints, like overburdened roadways.
Ever tried driving on ECR at Middle at Rush Hour?
Get the picture?
Now move on to our overcrowded local schools and see why additional housing, which generates more auto trips, and overcrowded classrooms
is a net negative for MP.

Now, think about senior housing and a mid level Residence Inn type lodging on the vacant ECR Stanford owned car dealerships
No school impact, limited peak ECR traffic impact since they may drive occasionally in their Prius or Tesla "economy" model, frees up housing for younger folks as seniors vacate their digs in MP.
Ready for more, how's about a Ohlone Tribe casino!
What a Cha Ching!! for MP!
We got eager Granny Keno girls right next door in the senior complex.
What a trip! And they all shop not only at 24 hour Safeway, but can walk to our downtown merchants
What was that thing about "Thinking out of the box"
Sorry, doesn't seem to apply to our current "Visioning" process.