Do any of these planning staff even live in Menlo Park?

@whatever if you are referring the the planning commission, the eligibility requirements are:

The requirements (and length of terms) can vary depending on the advisory body, but in general all applicants must meet the following criteria:

Resident of Menlo Park (specific exceptions exist for certain advisory bodies)
At least 18 years of age
A registered voter

so safe to say that most of the planning commission lives in MP. The staff on the other hand may not, but they are only recommending what the planning commission approved and following what the zoning allows, which the plan conforms to.

"Vintage Oaks" ??? I would not refer to that neighborhood as "Vintage Oaks" which is the new housing subdivision with large homes, on the north side of Santa Monica. The proposed home is in the Willows or perhaps "South of Seminary" certainly not Vintage Oaks - it is a neighborhood which has an entirely different character from Vintage Oaks. That's why this proposal is being opposed.

Rick,

Not in the Willows which is bounded by Willow Road on the North, but you are right, also not Vintage Oaks which is much newer and of a completely different style and sizing of houses. Nextdoor may consider it Vintage Oaks so that can be a larger "Neighborhood" but I don't know anyone who has been in Menlo for a long time that would call it that.

South of Seminary and proud of it!!!

Do council members live in Menlo Park or overseas?

To No Easy Solutions
I specifically said planning staff. Commission members are NOT staff members. I do not need to be schooled by those who read comments inaccurately. The easy solution would have been for you to read more carefully.