It’s time to show up for new affordable homes in downtown Menlo Park.

Tomorrow, ​Tuesday, November 4, the Menlo Park City Council will consider the Parking Preservation petition, which seeks to advance the “Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance” ballot initiative. The League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County opposes this initiative.

If passed, this ordinance would require a public election to approve any new housing development on the downtown parking plaza sites. Such requirements create unnecessary barriers and added costs that make building new homes—especially affordable homes—much more difficult.

Our League’s opposition is grounded in:

• Our Housing Position, which supports policies that expand access to housing; and
• We believe that election requirements and referendums on housing projects increase cost, uncertainty, and delay, further exacerbating the housing crisis.

What You Can Do:

• Attend the ​Menlo Park City Council Meeting tomorrow, ​Tuesday, November 4,​ at 6:00 PM to show your support for new affordable homes in downtown Menlo Park.
• Can’t attend? Email the City Council at city.council [at] menlopark.gov to let them know you oppose the “Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance” and support affordable housing in our community.

Menlo Together and friends who support new affordable homes in downtown Menlo Park will meet up before the city council meeting for refreshments, an update on the issue, and to share plans for public comment​ at 5 pm at Mama Coco’s on El Camino Real! Please register here.

Together, we can help Menlo Park move forward with housing solutions that reflect our shared values of inclusion, opportunity, and community for all.

Thank you for standing up for affordable homes and a vibrant downtown.