Menlo Park council puts voters in charge of downtown housing plans

"A city-commissioned analysis of the initiative, conducted by M-Group at a cost of slightly more than $164,000, said the ballot measure would prohibit the city from disposing of, selling, leasing, trading, donating, or re-designating any portion of the downtown parking plazas without voter approval. The initiative involves two layers of voter approval. The first asks residents whether they want future authority over development on the downtown parking plazas."

"Opponents of the housing plans gathered signatures from more than 10% of registered voters in Menlo Park, submitted to the council in October, triggering a requirement to either adopt the measure, call a special election, or place it on the next general ballot. The council chose the Nov. 3, 2026, election. Critics argue that removing parking would hurt longtime businesses and deter patrons from visiting downtown, while housing advocates say the project is essential to meeting the region's escalating needs."

The Menlo Park City Council voted unanimously to place a citizens' initiative on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot that would require voter approval for future development of three downtown parking plazas. Opponents collected signatures exceeding 10% of registered voters after debate over a proposal to build 345 affordable units on 556 publicly owned parking spaces. A city-commissioned M-Group analysis said the measure would prohibit disposing or re-designating any portion of the plazas without voter approval and would require voter approval for each redevelopment. The analysis found the measure could limit housing opportunities, discourage mixed-use projects, and restrict long-term workforce housing benefits. A Dec. 15 deadline for developer proposals remains in place while planning timelines are unclear.

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