Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 9:54 AM
https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2020/01/22/feldmans-books-not-eligible-for-historic-protections-planning-commission-decides
Town Square
Feldman's Books not eligible for historic protections, Planning Commission decides
Original post made on Jan 22, 2020
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 9:54 AM
Comments
Posted by whatever
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 22, 2020 at 11:44 am
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 22, 2020 at 11:44 am
MP Planning Commission - they've never seen a useful community resource that didn't need to be torn down and redeveloped for the benefit of developers.
Why hasn't MP after all these years enacted an historic building ordinance? My guess - undue influence from wealthy developers who care nothing about the city and its residents.
Posted by local
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jan 22, 2020 at 12:48 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jan 22, 2020 at 12:48 pm
to whatever: Just curious. What would be a list of 5 historic commercial buildings in Menlo Park? Oasis, BBC, the building on Noel.... ?
Posted by really?
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jan 22, 2020 at 1:45 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jan 22, 2020 at 1:45 pm
There's a world of difference between listing a historic building and identifying a community resource that's worth keeping, so sadly the PC did what it was tasked to do correctly.
But I think in these days of quid pro quo, PC should be forced to determine that if a developer is going to knock something down, they have to prove that what they're going to build is a substantial improvement. This sadly is not the case.
Posted by 94025
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 22, 2020 at 4:33 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 22, 2020 at 4:33 pm
The commission made the right call and set the right precedent. Move the business to one of the many empty spaces on Santa Cruz.
Posted by I think someone is tracking me
a resident of Menlo Park: Stanford Hills
on Jan 22, 2020 at 7:18 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: Stanford Hills
on Jan 22, 2020 at 7:18 pm
There is a second "like" after I make a comment, can you see the IP Address of who it is? Thanks, Delilah.
Posted by really?
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jan 22, 2020 at 8:48 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jan 22, 2020 at 8:48 pm
That second 'like' is a minor form of daily self-justification for me and my fragile ego, so bring it on!
Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Menlo Park: Park Forest
on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:47 am
a resident of Menlo Park: Park Forest
on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:47 am
"But I think in these days of quid pro quo, PC should be forced to determine that if a developer is going to knock something down, they have to prove that what they're going to build is a substantial improvement."
Even better - do both! The Fire District replaced its old Station 6 with a new one which has won a national design award AND it preserved its original 1899 fire station by moving it to the same site.
Posted by MPer
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:40 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:40 pm
""But I think in these days of quid pro quo, PC should be forced to determine that if a developer is going to knock something down, they have to prove that what they're going to build is a substantial improvement.""
9 units of housing and coffee shop vs. a used book store. Please explain how this is NOT a better use of the property.
My guess is the owner retires in 5 years anyway, leaving another vacant store front.
Trying to call this building historic is silly.
Want to look at used books? the libabry is 2 blocks away. Stay as long as you like.
Posted by MPer
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:41 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:41 pm
*library
