City of Menlo Park issues update on 80 Willow Road development application
Here’s the latest from the City of Menlo Park about the 80 Willow Road development application:
“On May 24, 2024, the City received a formal development application for 80 Willow Road which asserted to have been filed under the so-called “builder’s remedy.” The application has been deemed incomplete following a review by City staff for completeness of application submittal requirements. There are multiple required items missing from the application.
“The Applicant has the option to resubmit a formal development application in order to bring the application into compliance with the City’s application submittal requirements. Once the City receives a resubmitted application, the City will have 30 days to review the application and determine if it contains all application submittal requirements.
“The City will continue to provide updates on the development application for 80 Willow Road on the project webpage. You can subscribe for updates on the project webpage.
“Learn more about builder’s remedy on the City website.”
Note: 80 Willow Road is the former location of Sunset magazine (pictured).
Judy Horst June 24, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Before ever approving such a large development, and taking into consideration that there will be developments on SRI and USGS vacated lands, what are the City’s plans for moving traffic from the Sunset development–to Palo Alto, to Menlo Park and to 101?
Please don’t send it on Middlefield into Menlo-Atherton High School traffic or through Menlo Oaks. Traffic and noise pollution are real considerations for all of us near this much too large development.
Susan June 28, 2024 at 12:36 pm
As a resident of nearby Palo Alto who lives right near the creek that separates Palo Alto from Menlo Park and this monstrous proposed new “city,” I concur with these concerns. It appears that Menlo Park is going to roll over and allow this nightmare after the developers do their update with no attention to traffic, air & noise pollution, inappropriateness of this giant mini-city with the surrounding neighborhoods, etc. These towers are so huge that they might cut off light for nearby residents as they shade the sun during the day. And that’s the least of our worries.
abc def June 24, 2024 at 6:28 pm
If this property gets a major development I might just sell my house and move out of Menlo Park. Geez we can’t even have a vibrant Santa Cruz Avenue.
Domas June 25, 2024 at 7:23 am
can’t wait for this to happen – walkability of the area, access to caltrain, proximity to 101 asks for proper density, long needed to alleviate the housing crisis.
it will also be an amazing boost to University Ave businesses as well as Nick’s corner store!
Karen Paulsen June 25, 2024 at 10:03 am
Any huge business or housing complex is inconsistent with this area. Develop tall buildings near rail or Highway only.
Anne Kanerva June 26, 2024 at 11:28 am
Well-said, Karen!
Anne K.
Kate June 25, 2024 at 10:53 pm
It’ll be fine unless people want to actually leave the complex! The roads are simply not equipped to handle the traffic this will create. Am I the only one that sees this?
Anne Kanerva June 26, 2024 at 11:29 am
You’re not the only one who has concerns about the traffic.
Elaine Johnson June 26, 2024 at 10:55 am
With the proximity to the creek, is the city doing an environmental impact study? I’m also greatly concerned about what this building would do to traffic which is already heavy and backed-up through that intersection.
Michael J. Eager June 26, 2024 at 3:33 pm
The city does not do environmental impact or traffic studies. A builder may be required to include these, but I believe that requirements like this are waived by the “builder’s remedy” classification.
Susan June 26, 2024 at 11:19 am
There is so much office space included in this plan (over 325,000 sq ft)… when there are office vacancies right now on Middlefield, El Camino, Willow Road. Where’s the need for that? We could can a good chunk of that office space and have more housing. Do we really need a giant hotel, and the tallest building in San Mateo County looking down on little single story dwellings?
This area is not quite as walkable as some hope. It’s a schlep to get to the elementary schools, CalTrain, Safeway, Santa Cruz ave. I suspect most residents will still be driving almost everywhere.
Sean June 26, 2024 at 4:43 pm
I dearly love this. When the Council approved a 4 story complex at the back of Suburban Park with no other entrance the folks in the Willows weren’t particularly supportive of their objections. “Don’t be a NIMBY” and “Support housing” were common cries from residents in the area that weren’t impacted, and Measure V failed. Now the outsized building is smack in the middle of their neighborhood and the cries from the Willows have changed.
So I say don’t be a NIMBY, and support housing! I for one will be at every planning and council meeting lobbying FOR this development. It’s well deserved.
Cathy Moran June 28, 2024 at 7:08 am
Do you live near Willow Road?
Sean July 03, 2024 at 6:27 pm
I do! And I was disgusted at the lack of support for our neighbors in Suburban Park and Measure V. So I hope everyone enjoys that karma and bring on the towers!!!!!
I’m selling next year so good luck with that.
alex green June 26, 2024 at 8:11 pm
Who ever proposed this monstrosity has never tried to get to and from Menlo Park down Willow road at almost any time of the day. And why do we need so much office space? No one ever says we need more empty office buildings. We do indeed need more housing!
Mary June 27, 2024 at 7:25 am
How many years will it take to build this proposed monstrosity? It took about 3 years to build the RH store in Stanford Shopping Center and it is only 3 stories.
1955 Resident June 27, 2024 at 8:59 am
Progress is wonderful. Mostly to those who are newcomers, or To the Builders/Developers that have to build to stay financially solvent? Sometimes they don’t care about what they do or where they decide to build. Let you & I figure the rest out. I remember when Hwy 101 was 2 lanes.
It’s up to the City Council to be sure that a traffic feasibility report is filed prior. Making sure that the development can handle the roads and how it will affect the current neighborhoods.
Common sense decision-making, demands that any further developments make it mandatory, that some homes and buildings be removed going down Willow Rd, towards Hwy 101. They removed an entire strip mall on the east side to expand for traffic.
As it stands now. It already takes an hour or more to go through the neighborhoods, including driving into Palo Alto. People are going to be even more upset.
victoria robledo June 27, 2024 at 9:19 am
This is crazy. Do we need more bottlenecks streets around here? We will be trapped in here. Welcome to what Belle Haven has been experiencing. The city should be looking at a way to preserve that beautiful architectural structure and garden turned it into an art gallery/garden.
Silvia Colombetti July 03, 2024 at 8:43 am
I’ve been here since 1967 when there was talk about making Willow Rd an expressway connecting from 101 to El Camino, Good thing this did not happen since it would have eliminated many houses along the way.
Can you imagine the impact on traffic!! it’s aready bad enough.
Has anyone considered making the Sunset Building a venue for weddings, etc?
It has a beautiful kitchen and yard.
Let’s hope this doesn’t happen. If it does, we won’t be able to drive around here any more.
Never mind the impact on the environment.