Alternative Sites
Better options for meeting our housing needs
Menlo Park’s Housing Element currently lists downtown parking lots as “opportunity sites” to help meet state-mandated housing goals. [Read our Housing Element Primer here]
Many residents, businesses, and visitors have asked: “Isn’t there a better way?” We believe there is. It’s still early in the 2023–2031 cycle, and the Housing Element can be amended. Several sites—both private and city-owned—could add needed homes while preserving downtown access and vitality.
Below are five alternative sites for consideration. Many community members also suggest the Civic Center as a potential location for housing; the sites below show there are options across town as well.
Bohannon Industrial / Office Park
Size & Ownership: 24 acres | Private
Background: The owners of the northwestern portion of Bohannon Park have repeatedly told the City they want to redevelop the site for housing. In a December 6, 2022 letter, they wrote:
“…we also request that the City include the contiguous parcels located in Bohannon Park … which could be assembled and developed into a viable, multi-family village if the City creates the necessary densities, such as those established for the ConnectMenlo General Plan.”
Opportunity: Potential for a mixed-income neighborhood of hundreds of homes, adjacent to Marsh Manor shopping center, with direct freeway access and easy reach of Bayfront Park.
Note: The Housing Element does include some sites in Bohannaon Park, but not within the above area, which is the area the owner wants to redevelop.
SRI / Parkline
Size & Ownership: ~30 acres of office area within 63-acre campus | Private
Background: The proposed Parkline project includes more than 1 million square feet of new offices but only 800 housing units. The anticipated increase in jobs would dwarf the housing provided — worsening the city’s jobs-housing imbalance and deepening the housing shortfall by an estimated 1,500 units.
Opportunity: With a housing-first approach, this site could alleviate our housing shortage rather than worsening it. Its location near Caltrain, downtown, and civic amenities makes it especially well-suited for new homes.
➡️ The City Council still has the chance to reshape this project. Let them know how you feel.
Recent News: At the June 25th Planning Commission, the developer (Lane Partners) modified their proposal, reducing the 1M sq. ft. of office to 713,000. The remaining ~287,000 would be for office or housing – TBD by the developer. So it’s not exactly a concession, but it opens the door for the City to be firm and require that the freed up space be for housing.
333 Burgess Drive (Corporation Yard)
Size & Ownership: 2.35 acres | City-owned
Background: Public Works operations yard adjacent to the SRI campus.
Opportunity: If Public Works operations are consolidated elsewhere, this site could deliver new housing right next to Burgess Park and the library.
Note: Venice did exactly this, converting their maintenance yard to housing
1283 Willow Road
Size & Ownership: 0.66 acres | City-owned
Background: Vacant parcel larger than Downtown Parking Lot 2 (0.56 acres). Belle Haven is identified in 2025 HCD data as at risk of displacement.
Opportunity: A small 100% affordable project here, with community input, could ease displacement pressures.
2400 Branner Drive
Size & Ownership: 2.9 acres | City-owned
Background: Located on Sand Hill Rd., across from Sharon Heights Shopping Center, this parcel contains a small park serving the Stanford Hills subdivision.
Opportunity: Reconfiguring the park northward and shortening Branner Dr. could free up 1.6 acres for housing while preserving park space. This site could provide housing for employees of Stanford University and Medical Center.
Note: This layout puts the building out of the way of the SF water main easement.
Summary
Together, these sites provide ample capacity to absorb the 345 units currently slated for the downtown parking lots. The three city-owned sites alone exceed the combined land area of Downtown Lots 1–3, and the two private sites offer substantial additional potential.
It is not too late to change course. Watch the City Attorney explain [here], and learn more about the Housing Element [here].
Make your voice heard:
➡️ Tell the City Council, and everyone listening, how you feel: city.council@menlopark.gov
🗳️ When the time comes, vote YES on the Save Downtown Menlo measure—so any repurposing of downtown parking lots requires a public vote.
Questions or feedback on these sites? Write us at savedowntownmenlo@gmail.com.