Draft Environmental Justice and Safety Elements released for review

Published on December 12, 2022

Over the past year, the Menlo Park community has participated in extensive outreach and engagement efforts for updating its required General Plan Safety Element and preparing a new Environmental Justice Element and the City of Menlo Park is excited to release these draft Elements.

Please visit the Housing Element Update webpage to review the draft Environmental Justice and Safety Elements. A paper copy is also available for public review in the Menlo Park Library at 800 Alma St. and at the Belle Haven Branch Library at 413 Ivy Drive.

The purpose of the Environmental Justice Element is to identify and address public health risks and environmental justice concerns, as well as foster the well-being of Menlo Park residents living in Underserved Communities.

The purpose of the Safety Element is to identify and appraise risks in the community and provide high-level strategies for mitigating risks and ensuring the wellness of the community, city services and infrastructure. Since the previous Safety Element was adopted in 2013, State law now requires safety elements to include climate change vulnerability and adaptation, and increased attention to wildfire and evacuation routes. The update to the Safety Element focuses on these topics.

In the new year, community meetings are planned to provide information and receive feedback on these elements. Please visit the Housing Element Update webpage to view the latest information and sign up for project updates.