Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, June 24, 2019, 11:55 AM
https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2019/06/24/tonight-planning-commission-to-hold-public-hearing-on-hampton-inn-proposal
Town Square
Tonight: Planning Commission to hold public hearing on Hampton Inn proposal
Original post made on Jun 24, 2019
Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, June 24, 2019, 11:55 AM
Comments
Posted by zisnzat
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jun 24, 2019 at 12:47 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jun 24, 2019 at 12:47 pm
Citizens of Menlo Park, this is your litmus test. If you allow this monstrosity to be built, you have officially lost your souls.
Posted by Lydia Soffe
a resident of Oak Knoll School
on Jun 24, 2019 at 1:07 pm
a resident of Oak Knoll School
on Jun 24, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Absolutely NOT to this over-sized, ugly hotel. Not appropriate for Menlo Park!
Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Jun 24, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Jun 24, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
What the city is doing is selling millions of dollars of development rights for a small increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax - from the TOT on 50 rooms as base level FAR to the TOT on 70 rooms at the "Public Bonus" FAR.
The TOT is required by law! Why gift the developer millions of dollars of development rights for paying legally required taxes?
This increase in TOT receipts provides NO public benefit to the neighborhood.
In any other country such a transaction would be properly labelled as a bribe.
Twenty pieces of silver?
Posted by Peninsula Reader
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jun 24, 2019 at 2:01 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jun 24, 2019 at 2:01 pm
Peter - MANURE perfect analysis We do not need a Hampton Inn. Red Cottage could do a lovely remodel and make it a garden like setting motel. NO NO NO ugly hotel.
Or, as neighborhood resident Peter Carpenter put more bluntly in an email, "Yes, the Public Benefit Bonus Hampton Inn would be a cash cow for the city, but while the city gets the milk, the neighbors will get the manure."
Posted by James Madison
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 24, 2019 at 5:15 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 24, 2019 at 5:15 pm
It would be a tragedy for a dump-like Hampton Inn to replace the lovely Red Cottage. Doesn't anyone on the PC have any sense of taste?
Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Jun 25, 2019 at 7:15 am
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Jun 25, 2019 at 7:15 am
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
The Planning Commission voted to continue their review of this project to their July 22 meeting.
Quite properly the PC was concerned about which body, the PC or the Council, needs to decide if the TOT is a proper justification for granting a Public Benefit Bonus for this project.
This is a great example of what a group of concerned citizens can accomplish.
Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Jun 25, 2019 at 9:03 am
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Jun 25, 2019 at 9:03 am
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
Dear Planning Commissioners,
Thank you for listening carefully to the concerns of the neighbors regarding this project and for your thoughtful and continuing deliberations.
Clearly the issue of what should be the standards for granting a Public Benefit Bonus and which body should make such a decision is a critical issue. The continuance of your deliberations to your July 22 meeting should provide the opportunity for clarification on this matter.
Peter Carpenter
140 Forest Ln
