This is like watching a train collision in slow motion.

Neighbors like Gary George and Pamela Riddle are correct. Increased density housing is going to destroy property values and standard of living of people who live near the proposed zones.

Rick de Golia is also correct. Atherton can't ignore the law. The consequences will be worse.

It's going to be a game of musical chairs for the neighbors who have their property values decimated first.

Rather than trying to get Menlo Circus Club, Menlo School, or what have you, to build high density housing on their properties, the Atherton council continues to refuse to look at the high density site they already have (and have control over): the Atherton Town Center.

This can be converted into high density housing, perhaps with a parcel tax to residents to convert it, to meet the requirements.

But the Town Council refuses to talk about this because it would upset the town employees. Especially the police department.

To be blunt, if you're on the Titanic, you move to the lifeboat.

The ongoing hearings and discussions – and complaints by neighbors – won't change anything. Residential property is going to get re-zoned.

UNLESS the Town Center is repurposed. Move the town staff to make-do units in the park. Residents would pay for this. They should. It's in their economic interest.

Stop pretending the Emperor has no clothes.

Wonderful story. Not sure if I should laugh or cry for the club members and residents of Atherton (best place to live - as it is "fantastic"). The club has a polo field that covers approx 20 acres - at the value the state wants MP to use (100 per), they could build 2000 homes there. Atherton council at least listens to their constituents and are pushing back. Wish MP council would.

Just in case Athertonians don't know. "Our Neighborhood Voices" Web Link

"A series of recently passed laws allow developers to build multi-story, multi-unit buildings right next door to single-family homes and deny our ability to fight back. We are a coalition of thousands of California neighborhood leaders creating an initiative to be put [on the] 2024 ballot that would bring back our ability to speak out about what happens in our own neighborhoods."

Pass the word. Donate. Sign the petition. Vote.

Your Assembly member, Marc Berman, has an opponent, Lydia Kou, whose values on local self-governance align more with those expressed by Athertonians in this article. Check her out.

Thoughtful & New Guy:
Thoughtful:
- You are 100% correct! The "Town Center" was built for & used 99% by staff.
- Had the Town Council had any vision, they would have included housing in the $51M Town Center Complex - But they were too busy building their Monument
- It is not too late to reconsider the foot print and use the area to mitigate the HCD issue
- There is still space for the Police & the other staff could have space in either the many offices for lease on El Camino, Middlefield or Atherton homes for rent.

New Guy;
- You are 100% wrong
- The Town Council is NOT listening to their real constituents!
- They do NOT listen to the residents
- They are led by outside "Urban Planners" that want to make all of suburbia an Urban model! - As does the State of CA and the officials you have elected!