Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Review Stanford University development agreement compliance at 500 El Camino Real

Commission will review the property owner’s compliance with the Development Agreement for the Middle Plaza project at 500 El Camino Real for the period April 2025 to March 2026.

Info onlyComment option listedJun 8Business & Development

What's happening

Commission will review the property owner’s compliance with the Development Agreement for the Middle Plaza project at 500 El Camino Real for the period April 2025 to March 2026.

Why it matters

Ensures the developer is meeting agreed‑upon obligations, which can affect future development and community benefits.

Who is affected

Local businessesresidentsstudentscity officials

How to act

Attend: Attend the meeting in person or via Zoom.

Email: planning.commission@menlopark.gov

Submit comment: No specific comment deadline listed.

Jun 8, 2026, 7:00 PMMeeting page SourceSummary confidence: medium

Posted Jul 4, 2026, 7:58 AM PTUpdated Jul 20, 2026, 9:39 PM PT

Decision update

Approved

The item “Review Stanford University development agreement compliance at 500 El Camino Real” was approved.

Decided Jun 8, 2026.

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Consider temporary SB 79 exemption for downtown parcels near Caltrain

Commission will consider amendments to the zoning ordinance to temporarily exclude sites within one‑quarter mile of the Caltrain station from Senate Bill 79 requirements, and will recommend the changes to the City Council.

Under discussionComment option listedJun 8Housing

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Study session on SB 9 zoning and subdivision amendments

Commission will discuss potential amendments to the city’s regulations for urban lot splits and two‑unit housing to comply with Senate Bills 9 and 450, and explore options to streamline review in single‑family zones.

Under discussionComment option listedJun 8Housing

What's happening

Commission will discuss potential amendments to the city’s regulations for urban lot splits and two‑unit housing to comply with Senate Bills 9 and 450, and explore options to streamline review in single‑family zones.

Why it matters

Updates could allow more flexible housing options, impacting affordability and development patterns.

Who is affected

Homeownersrentersdeveloperscity residents

How to act

Attend: Attend the study session in person or via Zoom.

Email: planning.commission@menlopark.gov

Submit comment: No specific comment deadline listed.

Jun 8, 2026, 7:00 PMMeeting page SourceSummary confidence: medium

Posted Jul 4, 2026, 7:58 AM PTUpdated Jul 20, 2026, 4:36 PM PT

Decision update

Outcome recorded

The item “Study session on SB 9 zoning and subdivision amendments” was outcome recorded (7–0).

Decided Jun 8, 2026.

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Study session on SB 9 zoning ordinance updates

Commission will discuss potential amendments to zoning and subdivision rules to align with Senate Bills 9 and 450, which affect lot splits and two‑unit housing.

Info onlyJun 8HousingNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Public comment period – speak up to 3 minutes

Residents may address the Commission on any topic not on the agenda, with a three‑minute limit per speaker.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Submit written comments to Planning Commission

Written comments can be emailed to planning.commission@menlopark.gov up to one hour before the meeting starts.

Info onlyComment deadline 1 hour before meeting start timeJun 8Public Services

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Future Planning Commission meeting schedule

The agenda lists upcoming regular meetings on June 22 and July 13, 2026; no action will be taken on the schedule.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Approve minutes from April, May Planning Commission meetings

The Commission will vote to approve the meeting minutes from the April 27, May 4, and May 18, 2026 Planning Commission meetings.

Vote scheduled Jun 8Jun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

What's happening

The Commission will vote to approve the meeting minutes from the April 27, May 4, and May 18, 2026 Planning Commission meetings.

Why it matters

Approving the minutes makes the past discussions and decisions part of the public record.

Who is affected

ResidentsTaxpayersCity staff

How to act

Attend: Attend the meeting in person at City Council Chambers or join via Zoom.

Email: Not listed in the source document.

Submit comment: Not listed in the source document.

Jun 8, 2026, 7:00 PMMeeting page SourceSummary confidence: medium

Posted Jul 8, 2026, 8:34 AM PTUpdated Jul 20, 2026, 4:36 PM PT

Decision update

Approved

The Commission approved the consent calendar, thereby adopting the minutes from the April 27, May 4, and May 18, 2026 Planning Commission meetings.

Decided Jun 8, 2026.

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Vote on use permit revision for school at 2245 Avy Ave.

Commission will consider a resolution to amend the use permit for an existing school, expanding summer program enrollment ages and increasing staff numbers.

Vote scheduled Jun 8Jun 8Schools & YouthNo comment option listed

What's happening

Commission will consider a resolution to amend the use permit for an existing school, expanding summer program enrollment ages and increasing staff numbers.

Why it matters

Changes affect school program capacity and staffing, impacting families with young children.

Who is affected

ParentsStudentsSchool staff

How to act

Attend: Attend the meeting in person or via Zoom to hear the discussion and vote.

Email: Not listed in the source document.

Submit comment: Not listed in the source document.

Jun 8, 2026, 7:00 PMMeeting page SourceSummary confidence: medium

Posted Jul 8, 2026, 8:34 AM PTUpdated Jul 20, 2026, 4:36 PM PT

Decision update

Outcome recorded

The item “Approve use permit revision for school at 2245 Avy Ave” was outcome recorded (6–0).

Decided Jun 8, 2026.

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Use permit revision for 2245 Avy Ave. school program changes

The Commission will consider a revision to the use permit for the school at 2245 Avy Ave., expanding summer program enrollment to include 3‑ and 4‑year‑old children, increasing staff from 68 to 73, and reducing board meetings from 12 to 6 per year. The action is exempt from CEQA.

Awaiting official resultComment deadline 1 hour before meeting start timeJun 8Schools & Youth

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Public comment period for Planning Commission meeting

Residents can submit written comments online up to one hour before the meeting starts. Comments must include the agenda item number they relate to.

Info onlyComment deadline 1 hour before meeting start timeJun 8Public Services

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Use permit for 763 College Ave. – new house with ADU

The Commission will consider a use permit to demolish an existing single‑family house and garage and build a new two‑story home with an attached garage and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a substandard lot in the R‑1‑U zoning district. The project is categorically exempt from CEQA.

Vote scheduled Jun 8Comment deadline 1 hour before meeting start timeJun 8Housing

What's happening

The Commission will consider a use permit to demolish an existing single‑family house and garage and build a new two‑story home with an attached garage and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a substandard lot in the R‑1‑U zoning district. The project is categorically exempt from CEQA.

Why it matters

The new home and ADU add housing units and could increase neighborhood density, while the ADU provides affordable rental options.

Who is affected

homeownerpotential rentersnearby residents

How to act

Attend: Join the meeting in person at City Council Chambers or online via Zoom.

Email: planning.commission@menlopark.gov

Submit comment: Submit a written comment online up to 1 hour before the meeting start time, including the agenda item number.

Jun 8, 2026, 7:00 PMMeeting page SourceSummary confidence: medium

Posted Jul 11, 2026, 7:49 AM PTUpdated Jul 20, 2026, 9:39 PM PT

Decision update

Outcome recorded

The item “Use permit for 763 College Ave. – new house with ADU” was outcome recorded (6–0).

Decided Jun 8, 2026.

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

SB 79 and SB 9 housing ordinance updates

The commission held a public hearing on amendments related to SB 79 and SB 9, discussing temporary exemptions, density, height, and FAR allowances, and recommended that the City Council let SB 79 take full effect and study its impacts.

Under discussionJun 8HousingNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Adjourn meeting

Chair Ehrich formally closed the meeting at 11:38 p.m.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

SB 79 housing ordinance recommendation

The Commission considered a draft ordinance that would exempt certain sites from SB 79 requirements.

Under discussionJun 8HousingNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Consider amendments to SB 9 housing ordinance

Staff recommends the commission review potential changes to Chapters 15.31 and 16.77 to align with Senate Bills 9 and 450.

Under discussionJun 8HousingNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Retain non-heritage trees on site

The item concerns retaining non‑heritage trees on the project site.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Covered parking surfaces and tree fencing

The item addresses covered parking surfaces covering 3.83% of the site.

Info onlyJun 8TransportationNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Retain non-heritage trees on site

The item concerns retaining non‑heritage trees on the project site.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Remove non-heritage trees on site

The item proposes removing non‑heritage trees on the project site.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Height and FAR increase with community fee and generator permit

The applicant seeks to increase building height and floor area ratio (FAR) under the bonus level development allowance.

Info onlyJun 8Business & DevelopmentNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Retain non-heritage trees on site

The item concerns retaining non‑heritage trees on the project site.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Parking surfaces and tree protection requirements

Public hearing on parking surfaces covering 3.83% of the site and tree protection fencing requirements.

Info onlyJun 8TransportationNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Inch diameter galvanized posts, driven

Public hearing on installation of inch‑diameter galvanized posts driven into the ground.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Good non-heritage retention on-site

Public hearing on Good non‑heritage retention on‑site.

Info onlyJun 8Business & DevelopmentNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

SB 79 housing legislation recommendation

The Planning Commission discussed SB 79 and its impact on housing development.

Under discussionJun 8HousingNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:38 p.m.

Info onlyJun 8Public ServicesNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Increase height and FAR with community amenities fee

The proposal seeks to increase building height and floor‑area ratio under the bonus level development allowance.

Info onlyJun 8HousingNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Good non-heritage removal on-site

Public hearing on Good non‑heritage removal on‑site.

Info onlyJun 8Business & DevelopmentNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Good non-heritage retention on-site

Public hearing on Good non‑heritage retention on‑site.

Info onlyJun 8Business & DevelopmentNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Good non-heritage retention on-site

Public hearing on Good non‑heritage retention on‑site.

Info onlyJun 8Business & DevelopmentNo comment option listed

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Adopt resolution confirming Stanford compliance with Middle Plaza development agreement

Staff recommends the Commission adopt a resolution stating Stanford University complied with the Middle Plaza at 500 El Camino Real Development Agreement from April 2025 through March 2026.

Awaiting official resultComment option listedJun 8Business & Development

Planning CommissionMenlo Park

Review SB9 ordinance amendments and single-family review process

Staff proposes updating Chapters 15.31 and 16.77 to align with Senate Bills 9 and 450.

Under discussionComment option listedJun 8Housing

Planning Commission

Easy-to-understand decision summaries

Review Stanford University development agreement compliance at 500 El Camino Real

Approved

Consider temporary SB 79 exemption for downtown parcels near Caltrain

Study session on SB 9 zoning and subdivision amendments

Outcome recorded

Study session on SB 9 zoning ordinance updates

Public comment period – speak up to 3 minutes

Submit written comments to Planning Commission

Future Planning Commission meeting schedule

Approve minutes from April, May Planning Commission meetings

Approved

Vote on use permit revision for school at 2245 Avy Ave.

Outcome recorded

Use permit revision for 2245 Avy Ave. school program changes

Public comment period for Planning Commission meeting

Use permit for 763 College Ave. – new house with ADU

Outcome recorded

SB 79 and SB 9 housing ordinance updates

Adjourn meeting

SB 79 housing ordinance recommendation

Consider amendments to SB 9 housing ordinance

Retain non-heritage trees on site

Covered parking surfaces and tree fencing

Retain non-heritage trees on site

Remove non-heritage trees on site

Height and FAR increase with community fee and generator permit

Retain non-heritage trees on site

Parking surfaces and tree protection requirements

Inch diameter galvanized posts, driven

Good non-heritage retention on-site

SB 79 housing legislation recommendation

Adjournment

Increase height and FAR with community amenities fee

Good non-heritage removal on-site

Good non-heritage retention on-site

Good non-heritage retention on-site

Adopt resolution confirming Stanford compliance with Middle Plaza development agreement

Review SB9 ordinance amendments and single-family review process