So why has the Council not acted on this for the past 3 years?

Maybe we need to form a committee to authorize a study to consider the proposal to research the idea.

Hopefully, this is still not being debated 10 years from now.

I don't understand why being annexed would require putting in sidewalks? We here have been part of Menlo Park for decades and trying to get sidewalks only to have half measures finally put in only when the school district requires it.

BTW, I'm not opposed to inclusionary annexing. (IOW, obvious holes being filled) but why would the new folks get preferential treatment?

In the early 1960's when the Sharon ranch was being developed into Sharon Heights, the two blocks of Sharon Road between Altschul Ave. and Santa Cruz debated joining the city versus staying in the county. The issues were widening Sharon Road and re-alinement of Sharon Road and resulting effect on heritage trees and homes as well as paying city taxes. Residents of the block of Sharon Road between Altschul and the Alameda voted to join the city, and they and the city entered into an agreement to let the road stand as is and to protect the heritage trees and the neighborhood character. They agreed that paying city taxes was worth preserving their trees and homes. I believe that the agreement/contract still stands. The block of Sharon Road between the Alameda and Santa Cruz declined to pay city taxes and chose to stay in the county. It's interesting to see the shift in opinions and the continuing interest in heritage trees.

how can sidewalks be a requirement when we don't even have them in much of menlo park. even the much antucpated santa cruz sidewalks stop short. check it the sidewalks end after hillwiew and the a dirt path. so all the congrats the city council gave themselves was for a job 1/2 done

Thank you, Ann Latta, for the historical perspective. My parents were around during the early 1960s annexation battle (as was I in a highchair), but are no longer around to remind me of the details. Concur that it's fascinating to see the shift in prevailing opinions.

I am guessing that this entire initiative (with great respect for reporter Bradshaw's recounting of the cited reasons for said petition) is primarily a reaction to the crude and indiscriminate tree-clear-cutting that occurred, a couple of years back, on Sharon Road just below Alameda de las Pulgas to make way for the recent (in my opinion) several fairly hideous mcmansions there. I was appalled at that, myself. (Visit my lot on Altschul @ Gordon to see how much I love trees. I make good coffee. Stop and say 'Hi'.) But be careful what you wish for, folks. The city you join to protect 'heritage trees' is also the one that's going to tell you your overnight visitors aren't permitted to park on-street overnight, for example (a city of Menlo Park ordinance I'm so far free of, in University Heights). And, honestly, if you'd wanted to make sure those trees weren't bulldozed by lazy builders out for a quick buck, you could have bought the lots, don't you think?

Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com