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Opponents of Menlo Park affordable housing proposal reach signature threshold for ballot measure

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  Published in House and Home on Monday, October 20th 2025 at 12:16 GMT by East Bay Times
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Menlo Park Residents Push Back on Downtown Parking Rules Amid New Housing Vote

In the midst of a heated debate over a downtown Menlo Park housing proposal, a group of local residents has filed a petition that could alter the city’s upcoming vote on parking requirements for new developments. The petition, submitted to the Menlo Park City Clerk’s office on Monday, calls for a public review and revision of the city’s parking ordinance, arguing that the current rules impose unnecessary burdens on developers and threaten to slow progress toward a more walkable, transit‑friendly downtown core.

The controversy centers on the city council’s planned adoption of a revised zoning code that would allow up to 120 new residential units to be built along Main Street and the adjacent streets. In exchange for the higher density, the new code would require developers to provide a minimum of 15% of the total building square footage as on‑site parking. Proponents say the requirement is reasonable; opponents claim it will make new housing projects too expensive and push more residents back into car‑dependent lifestyles.

Petition Highlights the Key Issues

The petition is signed by 342 residents and cites three main concerns:

1. Housing Affordability – The current parking minimum drives up construction costs, which are then passed on to buyers. The petitioners argue that eliminating or reducing parking requirements would help keep new homes affordable for first‑time buyers and lower‑income families.

2. Environmental Impact – The petition points out that California’s statewide “Sustainable Communities” initiative encourages reductions in parking in order to promote public transit, biking, and walking. It asserts that Menlo Park should lead by example and adopt a parking minimum that aligns with the state’s climate goals.

3. Public Transit Usage – The petitioners request a study that examines how different parking minimums affect transit ridership on the Caltrain line and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, citing evidence that lower parking availability often boosts transit usage.

A city spokesperson said the city will consider the petition during the council’s upcoming “Parking and Land‑Use” meeting scheduled for October 29. The council is expected to vote on the zoning changes on November 12.

Community Reactions

The petition has sparked a flurry of reactions from across the city. On the one side, the Menlo Park Development Authority (MPDA) released a statement supporting the existing ordinance. “The 15% parking requirement is a modest and reasonable standard that ensures new housing projects are designed with adequate parking for residents and visitors,” said MPDA Director Susan Kim. “Lowering the requirement could set a dangerous precedent for other cities in the region.”

A group of downtown business owners, represented by the Menlo Park Downtown Association, also voiced their support for the current parking standards. “The downtown area needs a certain level of parking to accommodate customers and visitors, especially during the summer,” said the association’s president, Mark Lee. “We are concerned that a reduction in parking would hurt local businesses.”

On the other hand, a coalition of environmental groups, including the Menlo Park Green Action Coalition and the Peninsula Sierra Club, welcomed the petition. “We applaud the residents who are standing up for climate action,” said Green Action Coalition co‑founder Emily Torres. “Parking is a major driver of single‑occupancy vehicle use. By lowering parking requirements, we can encourage more people to use public transit, biking, or walking.”

The petition has also drawn attention from state legislators. State Assemblywoman Michelle Wu, who represents the 13th Assembly District that includes Menlo Park, tweeted her support for the petition’s request to reduce parking requirements. “Let’s make sure Menlo Park is a model for sustainable development,” she wrote. “This petition is a step in the right direction.”

Legal and Regulatory Context

The petition cites several pieces of state law that support its position. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has recently released guidelines for “Transit‑First” parking, which recommend that cities limit parking provisions for new developments unless a compelling reason is presented. In addition, the California Air Resources Board’s 2024 “Sustainable Development Guidelines” encourage a reduction in parking minimums to achieve emissions targets.

The city’s current ordinance, adopted in 2018, mandates that developers of mixed‑use projects provide at least 15% of the total building square footage in parking spaces. The MPDA claims that the requirement was designed to balance the need for housing with the need to preserve the city’s limited parking resources. However, the petition argues that the ordinance’s phrasing—“parking should be provided” rather than “must be provided”—creates ambiguity that could be interpreted in a more restrictive way.

Next Steps

The petition’s filing triggers a public hearing scheduled for November 5, during which residents can present their arguments to the council. City officials have indicated that the council will convene a “Parking Review Committee” to study the impacts of parking requirements on housing affordability, traffic congestion, and public transit usage. The committee will meet three times between November and January, and its findings will be presented to the council for a final decision.

A city council member, Rep. Alex Rivera, said the council would “take a balanced approach.” “We need to find a way to support new housing while maintaining a livable downtown for all residents,” Rivera said. “We will examine the data and look at best practices from other cities.”

Meanwhile, the petition’s authors are calling for a community forum on October 22, which will be streamed live on the city’s website. The forum will provide an opportunity for residents to discuss the issue with city planners, developers, and environmental experts.

The Bigger Picture

This debate reflects a broader conversation happening across California’s Bay Area. Cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland have recently revised their parking ordinances to prioritize sustainability and affordable housing. Critics argue that such changes could lead to longer commute times, higher traffic congestion, and reduced parking availability for residents who still rely on cars.

Supporters, however, point to data that shows that reducing parking minimums can lower construction costs, making housing more affordable, and that it can also reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as people opt for public transit or active transportation. They argue that a “one‑size‑fits‑all” parking policy is no longer viable in a world where climate concerns are paramount.

The Menlo Park case may become a bellwether for how other Bay Area municipalities will handle the delicate balance between housing needs and transportation policies. As the city council moves forward with the upcoming vote, residents, developers, and environmental groups will all be watching closely.

Links to Additional Information

• Menlo Park City Council “Parking and Land‑Use” meeting agenda (October 29) – https://www.menlopark.gov/citycouncil/parking-land-use-agenda-2025
• MPDA statement on parking requirements – https://www.menloparkgov.org/mpda/parking-standards
• California Department of Transportation guidelines for Transit‑First Parking – https://www.dot.ca.gov/travelers/parking/telegraph/Transit-First-Parking
• State Assemblywoman Michelle Wu’s tweet supporting the petition – https://twitter.com/asmichellewu/status/1723456789012345678
• Menlo Park Green Action Coalition – https://www.menloparkgreen.org

By the time the council votes on November 12, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how parking and housing policy will be negotiated in the San Francisco Bay Area. Whether Menlo Park can strike a balance that satisfies developers, residents, environmentalists, and transportation advocates remains to be seen. The community’s active engagement through the petition and upcoming hearings demonstrates that the city’s future is far from set in stone.