MENLO WATCH: Green parking lots in the city's future?

John Boyle was railroaded. Not only does he have more relevant transportation experience than the rest of the City Council combined he was the star of the transportation commision when I served with him. It is painfully obvious, that the council is not interested in a diversity of views. It has alrady made up its mind to engage in a frivilous lawsuit that will only alienate the High Speed Rail (HSR)Authority. So after our City Council has expended all its political capital, and then some, how are we going to favorably influence the HSR Authority on grade separations? The HSR will most likely view Menlo Park with the same contempt we have displayed for the HSR. This quixotic approach to City Government is not only puerile but harmful to our city as well.

I hope the parking lot design also considers bicyclists and pedestrians. The new parking lot on Evelyn has a beautiful bike rack and drinking fountain that are so inappropriately placed that bikes parked in the rack conflict with the parking spot inches away. It is virtuall unusable. This is ignorance and incompetence at the upmost.

Another green parking lot approach to consider is to put solar panel roofs over the spaces, protecting the cars from the elements and generating energy.

The designs should be reviewed by city commissions - bike, transportation, environmental - before going for approvals.