The Architectural Review Board (ARB) reviewed SummerHill Homes proposed development for the Elks Lodge site on El Camino Real this week. SummerHill Homes proposes building 43 detached homes. However, members of the ARB are demanding smaller units of more dense affordable housing.

Why is it that members of the ARB, most of whom live in North Palo Alto, approved SummerHills Development of detached houses around Heritage Park in North Palo Alto? But, when a similar development is proposed for South Palo Alto, the ARB is demanding smaller units of dense affordable housing.

I suppose they feel a dense development is appropriate for South Palo Alto, but elegant detached homes are for North Palo Alto only.

Doesn't the ARB realize that the more units you build brings additional students into our over-crowded schools?

With the Vantage, BRIDGE/BUILD, the Campus for Jewish Life, and Rickey's Developments, isn't South Palo Alto taking on more than its share of dense affordable housing? And, since the Elks Lodge site is next door to the dense housing being built on the Rickey's Hyatt site, I think it is entirely appropriate that the 43 detached homes be approved for the Elks Lodge site.