Atherton commission approves netting at Wonderlick Field and a one‑year 10‑student enrollment increase at Menllo School

The Atherton Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a campus master plan update, conditional use permit and variance allowing installation of new sports‑field netting at Wonderlick Field and a temporary one‑year increase in Menllo School enrollment from 825 to 845 students for the 2026–27 school year.

The commission voted 4–1 to pass the motion after lengthy public comment from nearby residents concerned about noise, parking and the long‑term intensification of field use. Vice Chair Tanelli cast the lone no vote.

Town staff had recommended approval of the netting and related landscape measures, arguing the netting would reduce the likelihood of balls leaving the playing field and improve safety on Alejandra Avenue. "The proposed netting would reduce the likelihood of balls leaving the playing field and entering Alejandra Avenue, improving safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists," planner Lauren told commissioners during her presentation.

Approval is conditioned on multiple requirements spelled out by staff: the enrollment increase is limited to the 2026–27 school year and the school must revert to 835 students for 2027–28; the school must comply with the approved Traffic Demand Management plan and not exceed 627 vehicle trips in morning peak hours and 453 in afternoon peak hours; and the netting installation must be accompanied by ongoing landscape screening maintained to the satisfaction of the town arborist. The species list noted in staff materials includes English laurel, little red oleander, heavenly bamboo and manzanita, and plantings must be irrigated and maintained for the initial establishment period. Britney Benick, the town planner, clarified that the irrigation/establishment requirement is for the first three years.

Residents and commissioners pressed the school and its contractor about screening details. Elizabeth King, who lives at 69 Alejandra Avenue, urged vine planting and other approaches to conceal the fence near three mature oaks that limit planting options: "The only alternative really is to attach the vine to the fence," she said during public comment. Contractor Simon (Colony Landscaping) said heavy, fast‑growing vines would struggle on loose netting and recommended options such as slatted fence panels or planting on a sturdier metal fence.

Dan Healey, Menllo's head of school, described the enrollment request as a one‑time adjustment caused by an unusually high admissions 'yield' this year. "The yield refers to the delta between the number of students that we accept and the number of students who accept our acceptance," Healey said; historically Menllo's yield averaged about 69–73% but this year rose to roughly 83%, producing a temporary over‑enrollment in sixth grade.

Neighbors argued that changes to field striping and turf in the mid‑2000s increased intensity of use and produced noise and PA system activity adjacent to residences; they asked the commission to consider moving movable sheds and equipment away from the property line. Staff said some of those issues may be pursued through code enforcement and encouraged neighbor‑school negotiations about equipment placement when the turf work is completed.

The approval includes a requirement that the chain‑link fence be screened (town staff recommended live vines or a similar visual screen approved by the town arborist) and that plantings be maintained; commissioners also asked staff to pursue the taller (10‑foot) boxed trees where feasible, rather than smaller ball‑and‑burlap stock, to speed screening benefits for neighbors.

The commission first voted on a motion that would have approved the master plan and the netting but denied the temporary enrollment increase; that motion failed 2–3. A second motion to approve the campus master plan update, the CUP and variance including the one‑year enrollment increase passed 4–1.

Next steps: the approval authorizes staff to finalize permit conditions and return any ministerial paperwork required to implement the netting and landscaping. Residents were advised to file code‑enforcement complaints if structures remain in noncompliant setbacks; staff noted that enforcement or future CUP amendments could be pursued separately if issues persist.