This article appeared first in the Jan. 31 edition of the Daily Post. Be sure to pick up an edition every day to get the news when it’s fresh.
BY AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff Writer
A neighbor of the controversial redevelopment of Flood School into teacher housing is asking the Menlo Park City Council to overturn the planning commission’s approval of the project.
Skip Hilton is arguing that there are “deficiencies and inaccuracies” in the developer’s transportation study and what the planning commission was presented with at its Jan. 13 meeting did not provide “the full picture.”
Hilton submitted his appeal on Tuesday, which was the last day someone could object to the commission’s 5-1 approval of the 88 apartments proposed for 320 Sheridan Drive.
Two-year battle
For at least two years, some residents of the Suburban Park neighborhood, where Hilton lives, have been fighting the project because there is only one way in and out of the property – along Hedge Road. There have been conversations about adding a second entrance to the property, but those efforts have not gotten far.
Hilton said in the appeal that he is in favor of providing housing at a below-market rate for teachers and residents. However, he said the full impact of the project was not outlined to planning commissioners.
Hilton said that the studies and plans presented to the planning commission were incomplete.
Traffic considerations
During the planning commission meeting that approved the permit, concerns were raised about traffic, adding an additional exit to the project, and adding more bike parking.
Commissioner Katie Ferrick, who cast the single no vote for the permit, pointed out that the 800-pluspages produced by staff and the developer, Alliant Development, did not include any traffic studies along Bay Road and Ringwood Avenue. She said residents of the new apartment complex will likely use these routes to travel.
Hilton pointed to the five-way stop sign at Bay Road and Ringwood Avenue as a location that should have been included in a transportation study.
In the appeal, Hilton also points out that along Bay Road, Atherton has rezoned three parcels to add 36 new housing units.
“There appears to be no coordination between Menlo Park and Atherton concerning Bay Road traffic,” Hilton said.
It was not immediately known when council would take up Hilton’s appeal.
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