Parkline

On October 15, 2021, Lane Partners LLC, submitted an application on behalf of SRI International to comprehensively redevelop SRI’s research campus with a mix of uses consisting primarily of residential and office/R&D uses, with small retail and restaurant components.  The draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Project studied an earlier version of the Project and included the current version, which includes 201 Ravenswood Avenue and is described below, as a project variant. 

Primary development program elements of the masterplan include:

• 646 residential dwelling units (46 townhome-style units in two components and 600 apartments in two multifamily buildings);
• An approximately 1.6-acre portion of land, to be dedicated to an affordable housing developer for the future construction of a 100% affordable housing development project of up to 154 dwelling units; 
• Retaining three existing buildings (approximately 286,730 square feet) for SRI's continued operation in Menlo Park;
• Demolition of two buildings at 201 Ravenswood Ave. and approximately 1.1 million square feet within 35 buildings on the SRI campus, to be replaced with five office/R&D/life science buildings, a new office amenity building, and three parking structures;
• The proposed project would not increase non-residential square footage beyond existing square footage;
• Decommissioning of the existing 6-megawatt natural gas power plant;
• Inclusion of community-serving space within the 100% affordable building; and
• A potential below-grade emergency water storage reservoir below the publicly accessible park space along Ravenswood Avenue, to be built and operated by the city of Menlo Park.

It is anticipated that the following city actions (e.g., agreements, permits, analyses and reviews) would be required for the proposed project:

• Certification of an environmental impact report (EIR)
• General plan amendment
• Zoning ordinance amendment
• Rezoning
• Vesting tentative map/subdivision
• Conditional development permit
• Below market rate housing agreement
• Development agreement
• Heritage tree removal permits
• Architectural control (for future review of detailed building/site designs)

The project site is zoned “C-1(X)” (Administrative and Professional District, Restrictive) and governed by a Conditional Development Permit (CDP) approved in 1975, and subsequently amended in 1978, 1997, and 2004. 

Current status

The City continues to review the applicant’s project materials, prepare the final environmental impact report (FEIR), draft the regulatory agreements and governing documents, and engage in discussions with the applicant on the development agreement for vested rights in exchange for community benefits. The project is tentatively scheduled to be reviewed and acted upon by the City Council in June 2025.

Upcoming meetings and milestones

• April/May 2025 - City Council study session
  The City Council will hold a study session on the draft development agreement term sheet. The study session provides the full City Council and members of the community an opportunity to provide feedback on the initial draft development agreement terms. City staff and the project applicant will use guidance from the study session to inform future discussions and develop the draft development agreement.

• Final EIR release
  The FEIR is anticipated to be released in May 2025 for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council as part of the project final actions.

Location

333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025  View map

37.4575519,-122.176516

333 Ravenswood Ave. , Menlo Park, CA 94025

333 Ravenswood Ave. , Menlo Park, CA 94025

Parkline