High-Density Housing on the Parking Lots?
CITY COUNCIL WILL DECIDE on january 14
Here’s what’s happening
1. Menlo Park’s Housing Element designated downtown parking lots as potential sites to meet the state-mandated housing allocation.
2. City staff has proposed that Parking Plazas 1, 2, and 3 (the lots north of Santa Cruz Avenue comprising 556 spaces) be used for high-density, affordable housing.
3. Typical restrictions relating to density, height, and parking would be waived because the housing would be for low and very-low income residents. Up to 483 units could be built, in buildings as tall as 10 stories, with no residential parking spaces required.
4. No strategy exists for replacing the public parking. A multi-level parking structure has been suggested, but there are no plans for funding, location, or timeline. Parking lots are already near capacity. A recent study revealed that two of the three lots completely fill up.
5. No studies have been conducted to assess the potential impact on traffic, congestion, and infrastructure.
6. Most people are only now learning about this proposal. When did you find out?
7. Businesses would suffer greatly. Removing adjacent parking and turning the area into a construction site for several years could be devastating our businesses and the jobs they provide.
8. Alternative locations for affordable housing were not adequately considered. Instead, City staff seemed to like the idea of using the parking lots for housing, claiming it would be good for downtown “vibrancy.”
9. On Nov. 19th, City Council planned to vote on declaring the parking lots as “exempt surplus land” (a required legal step to begin development). However, the overwhelming turnout of residents, businesses, and downtown property owners opposing the plan led Council to postpone the vote till Jan. 14th and direct staff to conduct more public outreach.
10. On Jan 14, Council will likely decide to use the parking lots for housing, as called for by our Housing Element. Only with an outpouring of public opposition is there a chance to shift to more appropriate places for the housing.
11. This is a critical moment for Menlo Park. Residents should engage by attending the Jan. 14 meeting and sending a public email to the City Council at city.council@menlopark.gov
develop downtown, but not like this. there are better alternatives for affordable housing.
We understand the pressure the State is placing on us with the Housing Element, and we recognize the importance of staying in compliance. However, the Housing Element should not dictate the long-term vision for our downtown.
We want to see our downtown develop and thrive. But let’s do so in a thoughtful and collaborative manner:
REPRESENT ALL STAKEHOLDERS: Engage the entire community—residents, workers, and businesses alike—to ensure everyone’s needs and perspectives are considered.
PRESERVE FUNCTIONALITY: Protect the parking, traffic flow, and accessibility that are vital to keeping our downtown vibrant and successful.
EXPLORE BETTER OPTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING: There are numerous viable sites for affordable housing near downtown which should be explored.
Let’s build a future where everyone has easy access to the heart of our town. Filling the parking lots with high-density housing is not the answer.
what you can do
1 - See what the city is saying
Visit menlopark.gov/downtownhousing
2 - contact city council
Tell Council who you are and what you think. You can send a public email to them at city.council@menlopark.gov
3 - Sign the petition
This petition will be presented to City Council before the Jan. 14th meeting. Click the button below:
4 - plan to attend the jan. 14th city council meeting
This will be when Council decides whether to declare parking lots 1, 2, & 3 to be surplus land. Come speak, or at least be seen. Add to your calendar.
5 - spread the word
Tell friends and neighbors. Share this page on social media with the buttons below.
What is Menlo Park’s Housing Element?
The Housing Element is a state-mandated section of the City’s General Plan that identifies how the city will accommodate its regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) of nearly 3,000 units at different levels of affordability. The 2023–2031 Housing Element was certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in March 2024. If the Housing Element is not compliant, the state may withhold funding and resources from the city.
How did the City originally fund the parking lots?
Between 1945 and 1965, the City used assessments on surrounding properties to fund the acquisition of land to create parking lots for the adjacent businesses. The City now claims these lots can be re-purposed because the properties have “received the long-term benefit of the financed improvements."
Who advocated for using downtown parking for affordable housing?
The two key advocates were MenloTogether and Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo. Others were Yimby Law and MidPen Housing.
What might the developments look like?
Conceptual designs were initially provided by UC Berkeley students as part of a class project. Perhaps the final developments will resemble those concepts. Or perhaps they will be more like the recently completed Kiku Crossing in San Mateo, which has a mere 245 units (compared to the 345-483 units planned for downtown Menlo.)
Are there other city-owned lands that could be used instead?
Yes, the Civic Center is city-owned land. And it would be a wonderful place to live, adjacent to the library and Burgess Park, with homes overlooking our beautiful Civic Center grounds, and just a short walk to Santa Cruz Ave. But according to the Housing Element, “The City Council decided not to pursue housing development in the parks or the Civic Center site, given the importance of green space and community space for all residents.”
Can a state-approved Housing Element be amended?
Yes. To amend a Housing Element, the City must submit a draft amendment to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review and approval.
What are people saying?
Here’s a link to the City Council email log. Add your voice by emailing city.council@menlopark.gov
Who will be the City Council members voting?
On January 14, 2025, the Council will consist of Drew Combs, Betsy Nash, Cecilia Taylor, Jeff Schmidt, and Jennifer Wise. The downtown parking lots are in the District 4, represented by Betsy Nash.