Menlo Park voters will decide Nov. 3 whether the city needs their permission before it builds on downtown parking lots, a choice that could shape the city's biggest affordable housing plan.
What the measure says
Measure P is a citizen initiative filed in May 2025 by three residents. According to the city, it would bar Menlo Park from taking certain actions on its downtown parking plazas without first winning voter approval, if those actions would reduce the availability, access or convenience of public parking for downtown customers, workers and visitors.
The covered actions include selling, leasing or otherwise giving up any part of a parking plaza; declaring one surplus land under state law; building on or altering a plaza; or changing its use. The League of Women Voters notes the measure would not ban housing outright. Instead, a specific project that cuts parking would have to go to a citywide vote.
What's at stake
The city's state-certified housing plan counts on at least 345 homes for very low-income households on some combination of Parking Plazas 1, 2 and 3, the three lots north of Santa Cruz Avenue. The city owns the land, which it says lowers costs and makes the homes more likely to get built.
Three development teams have submitted proposals: Alliant Communities, Presidio Bay Ventures, and Related California with Alta Housing. The City Council held a study session Sept. 29 on a financial review of the bids.
The city's planning documents call for replacement public parking, at least 506 spaces if all three lots are developed and ideally all 556 existing spaces. The city also warns that falling short of its state housing targets can bring penalties, including loss of some local control over projects and eligibility for state grants.
The group behind the measure, Save Downtown Menlo, also sued the city in April 2025 in San Mateo County Superior Court, raising objections over the lease process and environmental review.
Where the candidates stand
Save Downtown Menlo endorsed Councilman Drew Combs and Finance and Audit Commissioner Laura Melahn this week, the Palo Alto Daily Post reported. Combs says he'll vote no on Measure P anyway and has suggested building on one lot at a time. His opponent, Vamsi Velagapudi, also opposes the measure and accused Combs of playing "both sides."
Melahn is the only candidate who hasn't said how she'll vote, according to the Post. Charlotte Reed, her opponent, as well as James Rohr and Wonman Lee, who are running in District 1, which includes Belle Haven, all oppose it.
All six candidates are scheduled to appear at a League of Women Voters forum from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 in the City Council Chambers at 751 Laurel St. It will be livestreamed by MidPen Media.