Subject: Support Mayfield Mall redevelopment

Dear Mayor Neely and Councilmembers:

The board of directors of BayRail Alliance, a transit riders' group, wishes

to express its strong support for the proposed redevelopment of the Mayfield

Mall/Hewlett Packard site for housing.

We note that this former mall property, replete with large, empty parking

lots, awaits a more productive use. There is huge market demand for housing

in the area, and housing that is near rail transit is at even more of a

premium.

Provided that the development is designed in a bike- and pedestrian-friendly

fashion and in way that reduces parking requirements (such as through

car-sharing arrangements, ecopass or other incentives), it will be a huge

asset to Mountain View. This development will provide additional patrons

for local business while helping Mountain View to meet its ABAG requirements

for new housing.

By approving this development you will help Mountain View to do its share

for the environment, instead of adding to pressures to build housing in

sprawled and far-flung agricultural and greenbelt areas. You will help to

relieve some of the pressures on families and workers who must currently

commute long and grueling distances, polluting the air and neglecting civic

life in our communities.

We note that San Mateo County asks its cities to zone for forty units/acre

at minimum to qualify for housing incentive money. Even then, their program

is oversubscribed. They have found that the higher densities provide a

critical mass that supports economic revitalization efforts and the

livability of the community. For example, low densities are not able to

support mass transit very well, nor do they provide enough foot traffic for

local businesses.

Now that you have a willing developer for the property, please support

higher density housing for this prime location.

Sincerely,

Margaret Okuzumi

Executive Director

BayRail Alliance

3921 East Bayshore Rd

Palo Alto, CA 94303