Posted on January 13, 2020 at 10:55 pm by Clay Curtin
On January 7, City staff released a notice of preparation (NOP) and initial study (IS) for the proposed Menlo Portal project located at 115 Independence Drive and 104 and 110 Constitution Drive. The notice of preparation is part of the environmental review process and identifies that a focused environmental impact report (EIR) will be prepared for the project.
The proposed project includes redevelopment of three parcels with approximately 335 multifamily dwelling units, 34,819 square feet of office space and 1,608 square feet of commercial space on a 3.20-acre site. The site contains three existing one-story buildings which would be demolished as part of the project. Based on the City’s below market rate (BMR) ordinance, at least 15 percent of the dwelling units would be provided as BMR units. Approximately 51,319 square feet of open space would be provided on the project site, including private residential open space, common open space and publicly accessible open space. The proposed project would also utilize bonus level gross floor area, density and height in exchange for community amenities, as defined through the ConnectMenlo process. Additional density and gross floor area above the maximum bonus level residential density would be achieved through the density bonus provision of the City’s BMR ordinance.
The notice of preparation and initial study are available on the Menlo Portal project page, which also includes general information on the proposed project. Copies are also available for review at the Menlo Park Library (800 Alma St.), the Belle Haven Branch Library (413 Ivy Drive) and at City Hall (701 Laurel St.).
As identified in the initial study, a focused EIR will be prepared to study potential new or increased impacts in the following areas: air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, noise (traffic noise), population and housing, transportation and traffic, and tribal cultural resources. The City is requesting comments on the scope and content of the focused EIR during a 30-day comment period from January 7, 2020, to February 7, 2020. Comments on the scope and content of the focused EIR may be sent by email to Senior Planner Kaitie Meador or by letter to Senior Planner Kaitie Meador, Community Development, City of Menlo Park, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025. Comments can also be provided at the Planning Commission’s January 27, 2020, EIR scoping session.
In addition to an EIR scoping session, the Planning Commission will also hold a study session on the project to allow for members of the public and the Planning Commission to provide general feedback to the applicant and staff on the project proposal. The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting agenda and staff report will be published Thursday, January 23, 2020.
For more information, including previous Planning Commission study session staff reports and plan sets, visit the Menlo Portal project page.
