September 5, 2010
Here are the links to the downtown vision plan, , including the specific plans at their current stage.
I realize that those of you who don’t live in Menlo Park and aren’t getting advanced degrees in Urban Planning probably don’t give a crap about this. But you’ll have to just imagine that it’s your current town that’s undergoing a similar revision. And if you’re in New York City or something, then I’m so, so sorry.
I have Glen Beck and Sarah Palin running around down here. I have it worse.
this all reads like a progressive 2010 master plan update. widening sidewalks, traffic-calming with medians and “bump-outs”, denser residential use near transit, and increased bicycle infrastructure are all standard issue these days, and i think that’s great. the land use plan looks pretty restrictive– note how many uses require permits from the planning council, which allows them to use discretion on liquor stores, day cares, churches, etc. the code also has a lot to say about what building facades can LOOK like, which is pretty common in small, upscale towns.
very little mention of affordable housing, and seemingly no mandate to increase the number of affordable units. 
you can get the same density bonus for building a small park as for including senior or affordable housing in your development.
The Third Antarctic Journals is Michael C. Chen's blog on science, religion, and other reflections of his life that are designed to bore even his closest family and friends, one day at a time.
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