https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2014/08/01/big-changes-next-door-while-menlo-park-is-paralyzed-by-the-frylanza-initiative
Original post made by Peter Carpenter, Atherton: Lindenwood, on Aug 1, 2014
Comments
Nothing is paralyzed by the initiative; it affects only 2 sites w projects currently in the works. The Almanac just reported last week on another new project on El Camino in Menlo Park: Web Link
More are on the way. The former Roger Reynolds site will be one.
If city staff and council were more interested in small shops and restaurants and less on more offices, maybe Menlo Park would get more.
"Nothing is paralyzed by the initiative; it affects only 2 sites w projects currently in the works."
Clearly you do not understand this poorly written and lengthy initiative - it would effect EVERY project in the Downtown and ECR areas because its definitions of open space and caps and voter required approvals apply to everything that happens in that area. Remember anything that even "frustrates" the initiative is prohibited and only a judge will be able to decide if somebody's frustrations are sufficient to block a project.
"or frustrate the implementation of the voter-adopted development standards and
definitions set forth in Section 3, above, absent voter approval of a
conforming amendment to those voter-adopted provisions."
oh really:
as Peter has noted this initiative creates a situation where everything that falls outside of the norm MUST be voted on by voters. Zoning decisions by ballot are stupid.
This initiative has already impacted potential projects and the future of our city. This initiative is poorly written and has multiple potential land mines that will stop ANY redevelopment of our run down downtown.
You need only look to the permanent fencing installed at the Stanford properties to get an idea of what we will be looking at in the long term should the initiative pass.
The initiative was created by a number of cry babies that didn't get their way in the DSP. Clearly they don't believe in representative democracy.
Passage of the initiative will doom our city to empty lots for years or worse yet a bunch of disconnected, nonintegrated projects.
If the initiative passes - enjoy the view - we'll be looking at it for a very long time.
I see little connection between what's happening at Stanford Shopping Center and Menlo Park, just as there's very little connection between what's happening at Stanford Shopping Center and University Avenue - Palo Alto.
Mike - The connection is Stanford's willingness to invest in quality developments which benefit the community.
Of course that it only relevant if one is concerned with what is best for the community rather than the self interest of a small group of individuals.
