City of East Palo Alto
Office of the City Manager
2415 University Ave. Phone: (650) 853-3100 www.cityofepa.org East Palo Alto, CA 94303 Fax: (650) 853-3115 [email protected] October 17, 2019
Kyle Perata, Principal Planner
Community Development Department
City of Menlo Park
701 Lauren Street
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Subject: Notice of Preparation for the Facebook Willow Master Plan Project Dear Mr. Perata:
This letter is provided in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Facebook Willow Master Plan Project. I want to emphasize that East Palo Alto values its relationship with Menlo Park, and we hope to continue to work cooperatively on the many issues common to both of our communities.
Traffic
First, East Palo Alto is a city that is severely impacted by regional cut through traffic.
To adequately analyze the potential impact of the proposed project, please add the following intersections to the Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA):
1. University Avenue and State Highway 84/Bayfront Expressway
2. University Avenue and Adams Drive
3. University Avenue and O’Brien Drive
4. University Avenue and Notre Dame Avenue
5. University Avenue and Kavanaugh Drive
6. University Avenue and Purdue Avenue
7. University Avenue and Bay Road
8. University Avenue and Willow Road
9. University Avenue and Runnymede Street
10. University Avenue and Bell Street
11. University Avenue and Donohoe Street
12. University Avenue/Highway 101 Southbound on-off ramp
13. University Avenue and Woodland Avenue
14. Donohoe Street and Cooley Avenue
15. Donohoe Street and Capital (Northbound Highway 101 off ramp)
2415 University Ave. Phone: (650) 853-3100 www.cityofepa.org East Palo Alto, CA 94303 Fax: (650) 853-3115 [email protected]
16. Donohoe at East Bayshore Road
17. East Bayshore Road and Holland Street
18. Saratoga Avenue and Newbridge Street
19. University Avenue and the Highway 101 Northbound Ramp
20. East Bayshore Road at Euclid Avenue
21. East Bayshore at O’Conner/Shopping Center
22. East Bayshore at Clarke Avenue
23. East Bayshore Road and Pulgas Avenue
The prior to the release of the Draft EIR the City of East Palo Alto request that Menlo Park to identify specific City intersections and grade separations and to specify in advance the specific trip reduction measures and transit capacity enhancements they will implement as mitigation between 2019 and 2035 or the end of the current General Plan build out horizon. Without additional detail regarding impacts from all auto trips (i.e. not just peak direction trips, and not assuming trip credits), and without specific mitigation measures, the City cannot determine whether the project is effectively addressing its contribution to cumulative traffic volumes and congestion in our City.
Settlement Agreement
Pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Menlo Park General Plan Settlement Agreement, when the preparation of an EIR is required, concurrent with the preparation of the EIR, Menlo Park will conduct a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA). The scope of the HNA, to the extent possible, shall include an analysis of the multiplier effect for indirect and induced employment by the development project and its relationship to the regional housing needs market and displacement. The DEIR should be consistent with all relevant terms of the Settlement Agreement.
Jobs/Housing Ratio
The City of East Palo Alto provides a significant amount of housing stock in Silicon Valley. East Palo Alto has more housing units than jobs, the lowest market rate prices in the region, and approximately 30% (or 2,405 of 7,759 units) of the total housing units are currently registered (non exempt) in the Rent Stabilization Program. East Palo Alto is an island of affordable housing surrounded by several of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. The City is concerned that the proposed development may exacerbate the existing housing crisis in East Palo Alto by displacing current residents and/or creating a need for the City to provide additional units without sufficient resources to adequately address the need.
Please provide an analysis of how the project will impact the jobs-housing ratio in Menlo Park, and analyze or provide the following information and analysis with regard to the impact on housing and the potential displacement of East Palo Alto residents:
2415 University Ave. Phone: (650) 853-3100 www.cityofepa.org East Palo Alto, CA 94303 Fax: (650) 853-3115 [email protected] • The net number of new market rate and affordable units permitted and constructed in the last 10 years in Menlo Park.
• An analysis of where it is anticipated that the new employees will live, based on zip code level data.
If you have any questions, you may call me at (650) 853-3189 or reach me by email at:
[email protected].
Population Estimates and Growth.
The total population resulting from indirect household growth in Menlo Park should be identified and compared to the City’s projected population growth as part of the impact discussion.
Yours truly,
______________________
Patrick Heisinger
Interim Assistant City Manager
[email protected].
cc: East Palo Alto City Council
Jaime Fontes, City Manager