Housing Element Update: Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report

Published on November 07, 2022

Friday, Nov. 4, the City published the draft subsequent environmental impact report for the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update, Safety Element Update, and a new Environmental Justice Element for the City’s General Plan, collectively called the Housing Element Update project. A paper copy is available for review at the Menlo Park Library at 800 Alma St., and at the Belle Haven Branch Library at 413 Ivy Drive. Electronic copies of the draft subsequent environmental impact report and notice of availability are available on the City website.

The draft subsequent environmental impact report analyzes up to 4,000 net new housing units to meet the City’s regional housing needs allocation during the eight-year planning period from 2023 to 2031. The Project identifies 69 potential housing opportunity sites made up of 83 parcels, plus a number of areas within the city, as candidates for housing development. It is possible that one or more of these locations are on a toxic site list pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code §65962.5, but the question is not addressed in the draft subsequent environmental impact report. The matter is more appropriately considered if and when future development applications for specific sites are submitted. The housing sites would be geographically dispersed throughout the city, primarily located in City Council Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5, and could be produced through a combination of rezoning, increased densities, and/or updates to the zoning ordinance and El Camino Real and Downtown Specific Plan. The subsequent environmental impact report also analyzes approved and pending housing developments in the “pipeline” and the development of projected accessory dwelling units through 2031, which are permitted to count toward the City’s regional housing needs allocation. The Project analyzed in the subsequent environmental impact report includes adoption of General Plan amendments that would add or modify goals, objectives, policies, and implementation programs related to housing, safety, and environmental justice that would apply citywide.

Residents are encouraged to review the draft subsequent environmental impact report and participate in the Nov. 14, 2022, Planning Commission meeting to provide comments. The 45-day comment review period for the draft subsequent environmental impact report is open now through Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.

Written comments must be submitted through the web form located at menlopark.gov/HousingElementDEIRComments or by letter to:

Tom Smith
Community Development
701 Laurel St.
Menlo Park, CA 94025

More details on the project are available on the Housing Element Update project page. The draft Housing Element and other related documents are also available on the project page.

Following the close of the draft subsequent environmental impact report public review period Dec. 19, 2022, staff will prepare a final subsequent environmental impact report that will include responses to all substantive comments received.