Let the people vote
I read with interest “City cites lots of public feedback on proposed downtown Los Altos park” (Aug. 27). I attended the Aug. 28 meeting at the community center and the majority of the audience was not favor of a park. Residents agreed that this issue should be voted upon.
Speakers said that they would avoid downtown for the three years of construction. Speakers felt that in lieu park fees could be better used, such as creating a shared city pool venture for summertime; building a new park near the recently completed housing on the El Camino where there is a dearth of open space. (Former schools were closed in the 70’s, and school playgrounds, quasi parks, like Portola School were lost to housing).
The notion of this project being steamrolled was mentioned. Tens of thousands have been spent in consultants thus far. From two separate city staff employees I was told, “We live in a republic, and thusly we have voted to let council make decisions.” Scripted? A downtown park is an enormous change. In my opinion, the council should have clear support from residents. We need to vote.
Cindy Andrews
Los Altos
