Dear Supporters,

As shared last week, the California Attorney General’s office sent Menlo Park a warning letter on July 29 claiming the City mishandled the 80 Willow Road application. The developer has since set an October 27 deadline and threatened to sue if the City doesn’t approve the project by then.

Why we think the City should hold its ground

The AG’s letter is significant, but it’s one office’s legal opinion, not a court ruling, and we believe several of its key claims are open to challenge. Menlo Forward believes the City should continue its careful legal review rather than rush an approval. This week, we sent this letter to the Council sharing our stance. It’s important that you also write to the Council with your perspective.

Why now

The City Council has met twice in closed session with no public statement on its plans. With the October 27 deadline approaching — just days before the November 3 election — they need to hear from residents that rushing approval isn’t the only option.

What you can do

We’ve put together talking points you’re welcome to use.

• Write to the City Council this week. A short, personal email makes a difference. City Council email addresses here. Say you support the City continuing its careful review, that the AG’s letter shouldn’t be treated as the final word, and that you want the Council to explore its legal options before October 27 and host a public hearing before making its decision.

• Speak at public comment during an upcoming Council meeting on August 25 or September 15 (times posted here 72 hours prior). In person at Council Chambers, 751 Laurel Street, or via Zoom (ID# 832 1285 7140). Comments are typically limited to 3 minutes — a few sentences in your own words, especially naming your street or neighborhood, goes a long way.

Please share this email with friends and neighbors — the more voices the Council hears, the better.

We need your support

Menlo Forward is volunteer-run and funded by donations. We’re now ramping up investment in two areas: legal resources to explore our options with the City and State, and public relations to grow our supporter base and keep our message consistent.

If you’ve given before, thank you — please consider giving again as we enter this critical stretch. If you haven’t, now’s a great time to start. 

Many employers match donations; we’re on Benevity, and happy to register on another platform if yours uses one.

DONATE BUTTON

We’ll keep you posted as things develop. Thank you for staying engaged.

The Team at Menlo Forward

menloforward.org/donate

Menlo Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 99-4589465. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Dear Supporters,

A lot has changed in the 80 Willow Road fight over the past two weeks. The biggest news: the California Attorney General’s office has told the City of Menlo Park that its handling of the project violates state housing law. That position puts more pressure on the City and raises the odds of a lawsuit. The developer has since threatened to sue the City as well.

What happened

On July 29, 2026, the Attorney General’s office sent Menlo Park a formal warning letter about 80 Willow Road. The letter says the City:

• Gave an invalid reason for denying a CEQA exemption under state law AB 2011, then tried to add new reasons afterward.
• Should have treated the application as protected under other state housing rules, and shouldn’t have charged the applicant for the City’s legal fees on the project.

This is the State’s first formal claim that the City mishandled the application. The letter doesn’t approve the project or start a lawsuit on its own — but it makes it much harder for the City to keep working through a careful review process without risking a court fight. The City may still be able to push back on some of the letter’s claims.

An October 27 deadline from the developer

Following the AG’s letter, the developer, N17, claims the City must approve the project within 90 days of July 29 — by October 27, 2026. The developer has said it may sue if the City doesn’t act by then.

What this means now

The project has entered a new, higher-stakes phase. This is no longer a routine application review — it’s shaping up as a legal fight over whether the City can require a CEQA Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and keep raising other concerns about the project.

The City Council has met twice in closed session but hasn’t made any public statement yet. It appears to have two main options:

• Keep processing the application. This risks a lawsuit from the developer and penalties under AB 712. The Mercury News reported that for a 665-unit project like 80 Willow, those penalties could start at $6.65 million if the developer wins.
• Approve the application now, accepting that CEQA review isn’t required, and move the project into the safety review phase — where it still has to clear structural, geotechnical, safety, and fire requirements before getting final building permits.

What elected officials are saying

Councilmember Drew Combs said the Attorney General’s letter starts a “new phase,” but that it doesn’t automatically decide the outcome. He repeated his concerns about the site’s location near the creek and the loss of the old Sunset Magazine building.

State Senator Josh Becker also responded to the AG’s letter, saying the 80 Willow proposal shows why the State’s Builder’s Remedy law needs to change — and that this project doesn’t fit community or good-planning goals.

What’s next

The key question is whether the City changes course before October 27. If it doesn’t, the developer may sue. The next real update will likely come from a court filing, a City Council action, or a public statement from the City about how it plans to respond.

It’s also worth noting: this deadline falls just 7 days before the November 3 election, when three Council seats are on the ballot.

Finally, a note on where we stand: Menlo Forward has anticipated that this project could end up in litigation. Until now, we’ve focused our advocacy locally — the State’s involvement through the AG’s letter may change that calculus. We’re working with our attorney to understand what comes next. Stay tuned.

Donation Now

menloforward.org/donate

Menlo Forward is a volunteer organization funded by donations from our neighbors. To date, most of our spending has focused on community engagement and education, along with the modest infrastructure needed to run the organization.

We are now entering a new phase that requires us to increase our investment in two critical areas:

• Legal resources to explore alternatives and options with the City and State.
• Public relations support to broaden our community of supporters and ensure we communicate a consistent message to the media and other interested groups.

If you have donated previously, thank you for your support. We ask you to consider giving again as we face this heightened moment.

And if you haven’t donated before, now is an excellent time to get involved.

Every contribution helps us continue this work and strengthens our ability to advocate for our community.

Please donate today at www.menloforward.org/donate.

Thank you for standing with Menlo Forward and with your neighbors.

• The Team at Menlo Forward

Dear Supporters,

It has been an interesting spring for the Menlo Forward team as we followed the significant back-and-forth between the City of Menlo Park and N17, the developer, regarding the proposed mega-towers at the former Sunset Magazine site at 80 Willow Road. We want to keep you informed on where the project stands, the latest developer tactics, and why your continued support matters as we push for smart growth and responsible development.

June 2026 Update: The Developer Keeps Looking for Shortcuts — The City Keeps Pushing Back

The developer behind the proposed mega-towers at the old Sunset Magazine site continues to look for ways around city and state rules. So far, the City has pushed back at every turn — but the fight is far from over.

The Biggest News: The Developer’s Fast-Track Shortcut Appears Dead

One of the developer’s key strategies was to use a state law called AB 2011 to bypass the City’s normal approval process and avoid a full environmental review. That now looks very unlikely to succeed.

On May 6, the City reaffirmed its position that the project doesn’t qualify for this shortcut — and the developer missed a required response deadline, further weakening their case.

The Bottom Line: CEQA Exemption Appears Unlikely: The project will almost certainly have to go through California’s full environmental review process (called CEQA), which requires thorough public analysis of a project’s impact on traffic, schools, air quality, and more before anything can be approved. That’s a significant win for transparency. The developer has also not yet provided the required funding to even start that review.

The Project Still Has Major Code Problems

In April, the City completed its latest review of whether the project meets local building and planning standards. The short answer: it doesn’t, in numerous ways. Two of the biggest issues:

• Not enough parking. The project is significantly under-parked for its size. The developer has argued they should be exempt from parking requirements because they’re near major transit — but they haven’t been able to identify any qualifying transit stops within the required half-mile radius.
• The developer created new problems for themselves. Last year, the developer split the property into five separate parcels — seemingly to isolate complications related to the nearby creek. That decision created a whole new set of code violations the project now has to address.

The Developer Is Playing Creative Math

To qualify for the main state loophole the project is premised on — called “Builder’s Remedy” — a project must dedicate at least two-thirds of its total square footage to housing. The developer claims they hit that threshold at 69.1%, but only by using some creative accounting: they’re arguing that their massive open atriums should be classified as empty “voids” rather than actual floor space, which conveniently lowers the non-residential square footage. The City is expected to push back on this interpretation. As a backup, the developer has reserved the right to convert some commercial floors to residential if their math doesn’t hold up.

Other Quick Updates

• Major fees are mounting: The City has estimated a transportation impact fee of over $12 million for the project — on top of fees already identified for trees, storm drains, and recreation. These fees reflect the real costs the project would impose on the community.
• A private school inquiry: In March, a New York real estate agency asked the City about putting a private K-8 school on the site. The City confirmed it would require a separate approval process.
• Project Website Updates: The City has improved its project website, adding all formal updates and documents to a public timeline at the 80 Willow project page.

We Need Your Support

Menlo Forward is made up entirely of neighbors like you. We rely on donations to fund the planning and legal experts who review the developer’s filings, identify inconsistencies, and make sure the City holds the line on community standards.

If this project matters to you, please consider a contribution — one-time or monthly. Every dollar helps ensure Menlo Park’s future is shaped by its residents, not by out-of-scale development loopholes.

And please share this update with neighbors who care about how our community grows.

The Team at Menlo Forward
menloforward.org/donate

Dear Supporters,

Menlo Forward just celebrated its first anniversary! Thank you to the more than 1000 neighbors who have joined our mission to help our local officials and community understand why smart growth is essential to a thriving city.

What’s The Latest and Why It Matters

• Menlo Park decided that 80 Willow isn’t eligible for streamlined processing, but evaluation continues under “Builder’s Remedy”
• What’s next: Environmental review
• Bottom line: The project remains active and your voice matters. Please consider supporting Menlo Forward!

Q4 Community Update regarding 80 Willow Road

After a quiet stretch, there are new updates on the proposed 80 Willow Road development. On November 7, the City issued an update on the proposed “Willow Park” towers at 80 Willow Road – a mammoth, out-of-scale project intended for the former Sunset Magazine headquarters.

The site’s developer, N17, applied under AB 2011, a 2023 law allowing certain housing projects to bypass full environmental review. City staff found sufficient inconsistencies with local and state standards to determine that the project does not qualify for AB 2011’s fast-track process. The City is back to evaluating 80 Willow under the original SB 330 Builder’s Remedy provisions, which limits local control but still requires environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

>>>Status: City reviewing under Builder’s Remedy 

Environmental Review (CEQA)

In May 2025, the City Council approved a contract with LSA Associates to prepare the required Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which studies how the project might affect noise, water, air quality, protected species, and other environmental factors. At that time, the developer tried to reduce the cost and scope of the report, but the City did not agree to those changes. The City sent the developer an invoice in June for the consultant’s work, but, as of early November, they have not signed the contract nor paid the required deposit. The EIR cannot move forward until this happens.

>>>Status: Waiting for developer to move EIR forward

Project Consistency Review

Multiple City departments—including Planning, Housing, Building, Engineering, and the City Arborist—have identified several areas where the project’s design doesn’t meet City or State standards. One major issue involves required parking. The developer is trying to use a rule that reduces parking requirements for projects located within a half-mile of a major transit stop. However, according to official maps, there are no qualifying transit stops near the site on Middlefield Road, and the property is just outside the half-mile range of Caltrain and El Camino Real transit corridor. If this parking exemption doesn’t apply, the project would need to include more parking spaces. That kind of design change could affect whether the project still qualifies under the Builder’s Remedy and may require the developer to resubmit the project under current rules.

Does SB 79 Affect 80 Willow Road?

Many people have asked if California’s new SB 79 law applies to the 80 Willow Road project. This law provides certain benefits for housing projects located close to major transit stops. In this case, SB 79 does not apply to the 80 Willow site because it’s too far from qualifying transit stops, and the proposed buildings are taller than what SB 79 allows.

Other News

• A separate residential project at 68 Willow Road is moving forward and has been deemed consistent with City standards. To be developed by a local builder, this project includes 50 three-story townhomes, with eight homes reserved for  below-market-rate households. The project has entered the CEQA process and will likely qualify for a type of exemption that reduces the level of environmental review required.
• You may have seen a sign at the corner of Willow and Middlefield. It appears that the site’s owners are renting out the space as “Willow Workplace.”

CALL TO ACTION

We ask only one thing from you today: Donate. We’re entering the period of time when Menlo Forward will need to engage CEQA experts, land use consultants, and attorneys in order to be successful. Please consider a donation to those efforts, which can be made either in lump sum or on a monthly recurring basis. Also consider a corporate match to amplify the reach of your donation.

Please spread the word by sharing this email with friends and neighbors, especially those in other neighborhoods. We appreciate your support of Menlo Forward and our shared goal of smart growth in our community.

Warmly,
The team at Menlo Forward
menloforward.org/donate

Menlo Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 99-4589465. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Dear Supporters,

We have exciting news to share—Menlo Forward has officially received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS!

This means that all donations made to us are now tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, allowing you to support our mission and receive a tax benefit in return.

As someone who cares about smart growth in our community, we invite you to join our growing circle of supporters. Your donation directly supports our work with CEQA experts, land use consultants, and attorneys, as well as the ongoing costs of community education and engagement. Together, we can ensure thoughtful development that puts our community first.

You can make a one-time contribution or set up a recurring monthly gift. Every donation makes a meaningful impact—and now, it’s tax-deductible too.

Make your first gift here: www.menloforward.org/donate

Corporate Matching

You can double the impact of your donation if your employer has a charitable matching program.  Now that we’re a certified 501(c)(3), your donation qualifies for a corporate match. Most programs allow you to apply for a match within 12 months of your donation—but check with your company for specific guidelines.

We are already registered on Benevity, a platform for matching used by many employers. If your company uses another platform, let us know—we’d be happy to register.

Donor Advised Funds (DAF)

Our 501(c)(3) status also means we’re now eligible to receive gifts from Donor Advised Funds. If you or someone you know would like to support Menlo Forward through a DAF, we’re currently registered with Schwab Charitable Fund (DAFgiving360) and are in the process of  registering with other major DAFs.

Thank you for being part of our community. We’re just getting started, and your support would mean the world.

Warmly,
The team at Menlo Forward

menloforward.org

Menlo Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 99-4589465. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Dear Supporters,

We have several updates to share regarding the proposed development at 80 Willow Road as well as other developments across our community.

80 Willow Road Updates

Former Sunset Magazine Headquarters Gains US and California Historic Designation

The National Park Service has officially signed off on the former Sunset Magazines Headquarters’ eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Although the property won’t be added to the National Register because the owner objected, it is now automatically listed in the California Register of Historical Resources under three separate categories: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Commerce. The Palo Alto Daily Post and Sunset Magazine ran nice articles heralding the listing which triggers heightened protection under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Mitigations can include anything from preserving the entire site to erecting a commemorative plaque. Please thank the Menlo Park Historical (MPHA) for independently spearheading the proposal and their efforts to secure this designation.

New CEQA Exemptions Do Not Apply to 80 Willow Road Project

California’s recent passage of significant CEQA reform legislation (AB130/SB131) delivers extensive CEQA exemptions allowing many projects to forego a CEQA analysis. The 80 Willow Road proposal does NOT qualify for these exemptions as a Builder’s Remedy project so will still be required to undergo a full CEQA review. For more details, see this summary from Allen Matkins, the developer’s land use law firm.

80 Willow Road Environmental Review Status

The City has finalized the contract with LSA Associates, the selected CEQA/EIR (Environmental Impact Report) consultant for the project and is awaiting signature and deposit from the applicant. Once underway, LSA estimates the review will take 17 months.

Other Developments In Menlo Park

City Council Advances Downtown Parking Plaza Housing Redevelopment

On June 3, the City Council took the next step toward redeveloping downtown Parking Plazas 1, 2, and 3 by selecting six development groups to move forward in the process. After reviewing responses to the City’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the Council invited these groups to participate in the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) phase. The groups will be asked to submit more detailed development proposals for further consideration, based on a Council-guided RFP coming later this summer, outlining the requirements and expectations for the next stage of the project. One of the changes required in this stage is full parking replacement.

Parkline (SRI) Project Nears Final Review

The Final EIR for the Parkline project was released on July 7, 2025, with the full report available for public examination at the Main and Belle Haven Libraries. A public hearing before the Planning Commission is scheduled for July 28, 2025, where the Commission will review the Final EIR and consider whether to recommend approval of the Parkline project. Community members are encouraged to participate in the hearing and share their written feedback on the project by emailing Corinna Sandmeier, Principal Planner, at cdsandmeier@menlopark.gov. This report should give the community better insight into the kinds of environmental concerns addressed and typical mitigations applied to large proposed projects similar to 80 Willow Road.

CALL TO ACTION

We ask only one thing from you today: Donate. We’re entering the period of time when Menlo Forward will need to engage CEQA experts, land use consultants, and attorneys in order to be successful. Please consider a donation to those efforts, which can be made either in lump sum or on a monthly recurring basis.

Please spread the word by sharing this email with friends and neighbors, especially those in other neighborhoods. We appreciate your support of Menlo Forward and our shared goal of smart growth in our community.

Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org/donate

Menlo Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 99-4589465. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Dear Supporters,

It’s been a busy few weeks regarding issues and events that may impact the outcome at 80 Willow Road and our goal of smart growth in Menlo Park and surrounding areas.

City Council Advances 80 Willow Project Environmental Review

On May 13, the Menlo Park City Council voted 4-0 (with one abstention) to authorize the city manager to contract with LSA Associates to prepare the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed 80 Willow Road project. LSA was selected from six proposals submitted in response to the City’s request, in accordance with CEQA requirements that the EIR consultant is paid for by the developer (N17) but works under City direction. LSA estimates that draft EIR preparation will take 17 months.

Menlo Forward raised several concerns before the Council meeting, including:

• Past mistakes and misrepresentations by the developer and consultants
• Over-reliance on applicant-provided studies for critical issues such as geotechnical analysis, with LSA only providing peer review
• LSA’s preliminary conclusions that some impacts would likely be “not significant,” potentially prejudging outcomes

As a result, the Council moved the contract award out of the consent agenda for discussion. City staff and the City attorney assured the Council that the contract allows for flexibility, including requiring additional studies or services as needed.

Sunset Magazine Headquarters Designated Historic

On May 9, the California State Historical Resources Commission unanimously determined that the former Sunset Magazine headquarters in Menlo Park is eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination now moves to the National Park Service for final review, with a decision expected within 45 days. Although the property owner objected, precluding the site from being listed in the National Register, the site will be automatically listed on the California Register of Historic Resources, triggering mandatory CEQA review for any redevelopment plans. The commission’s decision followed strong community support, including 617 letters in favor and only 12 against. The historic designation will require any future development to address preservation and mitigation measures as part of the CEQA process.

Read more here. Better yet, watch the video testimony (begins at the 1:27:30 mark, both for and against, plus the Commission’s discussion and determination. The developer’s testimony against historic designation starts at 1:47) and highlights their strategy to tar all non-supporters as anti-housing. Per the developer’s statement “The nominators and associated opposition groups are systematically obstructing new affordable housing developments throughout Menlo Park, as demonstrated by similar actions against affordable housing at other locations, such as downtown parking lots and the Ravenswood teacher housing site.”

State Legislative Update: Housing and CEQA Reform

Senator Josh Becker’s bill, SB 547, which would have retroactively disqualified the 80 Willow project and some “Builder’s Remedy” applications, failed to advance out of the Senate Housing Committee this session. Despite testimony from Menlo Forward and Green Foothills, there was little appetite for changing the rules that could reclassify several bad projects identified by both groups.

Meanwhile, the state legislature remains focused on expanding housing by streamlining approvals and limiting CEQA barriers. Notable bills include:

• SB 79 (Wiener): Passed the Senate Housing Committee and would allow four- to seven-story housing near major transit stops, regardless of local zoning.
• AB 609 (Wicks) & SB 607 (Wiener): Aim to limit CEQA review for certain housing and infrastructure projects.

Community Housing Update – Risks and Opportunities

A group of residents and merchants, “Save Downtown Menlo,” has filed a notice of intent to circulate a ballot initiative that would require voter approval before any city-owned downtown parking lots could be sold, leased, or repurposed for uses other than public parking. This initiative could block Menlo Park from implementing its plan for 345 units of very low-income housing (plus integrated parking) on these lots, a key component of the city’s state-approved Housing Element. If the city cannot deliver on this plan, it risks falling out of state compliance, which could trigger streamlined approval (SB 35/SB 423) for private developers, bypassing most local requirements.

Housing advocates are encouraging residents to tour the newly completed Kiku Crossing development in San Mateo as a model for affordable, city-planned housing with integrated parking and transit access. The open house is on May 28, 10–11 AM, at 480 E 4th Ave, San Mateo. This project demonstrates how affordable housing and public parking can successfully coexist near transit, similar to what has been planned for downtown Menlo Park.

CALL TO ACTION

We ask only one thing from you today: Donate. We’re entering the period of time when Menlo Forward will need to incur real costs if we are going to be successful.

Please spread the word by sharing this email with friends and neighbors, especially those in other neighborhoods. We appreciate your support of Menlo Forward and our shared goal of smart growth in our community.

Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org/donate

Dear Supporters,

Join us for an informational meeting regarding the Mega Towers proposed for the former Sunset Magazine site in Menlo Park.

• Saturday, May 3 at 3 pm
• Menlo Park City Council Chambers, 751 Laurel Street

Note: Events in the City Council Chambers are only sponsored/endorsed by the organization indicated and are not sponsored/endorsed by the City of Menlo Park.

Menlo Forward

menloforward.org

Dear Supporters,

We want to provide our supporters with updates on the 80 Willow Road project (former Sunset Magazine HQ site), and our goal of smart growth in Menlo Park and surrounding areas. We also have a request for you to take action on a couple of critical issues.

New State Legislation

• Josh Becker, our local state senator, has sponsored SB 457, a bill that would protect cities like Menlo Park from misuse of the Builder’s Remedy law, which has led to opportunistic, net-housing negative projects like 80 Willow Road.
• Palo Alto was quick to formally support the bill, and numerous other Santa Clara county and Peninsula cities have expressed interest in supporting it as well.
• The next step is building broader support for it so it gets introduced into the State Senate Housing Committee with enough support to move onto the full Senate.

Sunset Magazine Weighs In: Protect the West

• Sunset Magazine has taken a stand against the 80 Willow project in its most recent issue and is urging all lovers of everything Sunset to “Protect the West” in both the Letter from the Editor and a dedicated article. Their goal is to ensure that the former Sunset Magazine site gets added to the California State Historic Registry. They ask readers to send letters of support ahead of the upcoming vote at the May 9, 2025, State Historic Registry Commission meeting.
• To view the full report for the Sunset Magazine campus nomination, visit the State Office of Historic Preservation’s pending nominations page.

Upcoming Menlo Park Forum

Menlo Forward will host a forum on the 80 Willow project for all of Menlo Park on Saturday, May 3, 3-4 PM, in the Menlo Park City Council chamber at the Civic Center. Please share this message with friends not yet familiar with this project or who think it can’t possibly happen. This forum is NOT connected with the City in any way.

Community Housing Updates

• The former USGS site on Middlefield Road was purchased by the same development group that developed Springline in Menlo Park. That site is designated as an Opportunity Site in the Menlo Park Housing Element, which targets at least two of its 17-acres for approximately 89 units of affordable housing.
• Seven developers delivered proposals for the downtown housing project, as defined in the Menlo Park Housing Element, which requires at least 345 affordable housing units for very low-income families and at least 506 replacement public parking spaces. 
• Development of these Opportunity Sites is critical to Menlo Park meeting the targets in its state-approved 2023-2031 Housing Element and avoiding future Builder’s Remedy penalties under SB 423. 
  

CALLS TO ACTION

We’d like to ask two things of you today.

• Send the first enclosed letter with your support for historical designation to the California State Office by 9 am, May 2. Send it to CalSHPO.shrc@parks.ca.gov.
• Submit the second enclosed letter indicating your support of SB 457 through the official portal by April 25. Upload your letter to the California Legislature Position Letter Portal (https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/). The quick process requires registration as an individual, login, and completion of the submission form.

Please spread the word by sharing this email with friends and neighbors, especially those in other neighborhoods. We appreciate your support of Menlo Forward and our shared goal of smart growth in our community.

Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org/donate

Dear Supporters,

At Menlo Forward, we keep our supporters updated on the 80 Willow Road project and how it fits into our goal of smart growth in Menlo Park and nearby areas. We also reach out to our community to request their action at critical points.

80 Willow Road Update

• The City requested proposals to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) for a mixed-use development by Willow Project LLC at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park, California. The proposal deadline was February 28, 2025.

Community Housing Updates

• Menlo Park has made significant progress on its required housing growth, achieving 35.7% of the goal set in the 2023-2031 Housing Element. More details are on pages 143-147 of this Report.
• Menlo Park is one of 47 areas in the state that has met its required below market rate housing goals for 2023. As a result, the City is not subject to SB423, allowing it to maintain more control over local projects. This is important because, without this control, developers could fast-track large projects without full environmental review or City oversight.

CALLS TO ACTION

We’d like to ask three things of you today.

• Sign our petition at menloforward.org/petition to urge Menlo Park leaders and county and state officials to oppose the 80 Willow Road project, require a full Environmental Impact Report, and support laws to prevent similar overdevelopment.
• Send clear messages to City leaders that this project’s scale is too large and demand a full Environmental Impact Report. Email Councilmembers to share these messages.
• Complete Menlo Park’s survey by Friday, March 7, to share your input regarding our City’s priorities. We encourage you to emphasize smart growth that’s focused on needed housing coupled with a cap on commercial growth. Priorities will be discussed at the City Council Priority Setting Workshop on Saturday, March 22.

Please spread the word by sharing this email with friends and neighbors, especially those in other neighborhoods. We appreciate your support of Menlo Forward and our shared goal of smart growth in our community.

Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org/donate

Dear Supporters,

Last fall, Menlo Forward began our work to educate and engage neighbors about the 80 Willow Road development in Menlo Park. In just six weeks, we hosted neighborhood meetings with over 200 residents, distributed hundreds of yard signs, and began the vital work of defending our community against a development that could overwhelm our neighborhoods and alter Menlo Park forever.

Here are some important updates to be aware of:

Menlo Park Finds Application Inconsistent with Developer Standards

After review for consistency with local development standards as required by California’s Housing Accountability Act, the City found that the project failed to meet multiple requirements related to planning, housing, traffic, environmental sustainability, engineering, transportation, and tree preservation.

While this doesn’t mean the project is denied, it signals the significant and unprecedented problems this development proposal presents.

What’s next? With the consistency review complete, the development proposal has moved into the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) phase.

The first step in this phase is to issue an RFP for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) consultants who will undertake initial studies to assess the potential environmental effects of the proposal to determine whether a full EIR is necessary. Once consultants are selected, the studies will take between three and six months to complete. The public will then have one month to comment on CEQA areas of impact (traffic and transportation, noise levels, biological resources, historical resources, etc) and a public hearing will be held. This will be a critical milestone for us to organize and mobilize to make our strong opposition to this project known.

Menlo Park finds development application at 80 Willow inconsistent with standards, The Almanac

Historical Designation Application Submitted

The Menlo Park Historical Association submitted an application for 80 Willow Road to be added to the National Register of Historical Places. The application will be heard before the State Historic Resources Board in May. If the owner of 80 Willow Road objects to the nomination, the Board can still find the property to be eligible for listing in the National Register and the California Register and it will be treated as a historical resource in the environmental review process.

Menlo Park City Council would then have several options to manage and mitigate the impacts on historical resources under CEQA. Options include mandating mitigation measures, exploring alternative designs to preserve some of the site, and in rare cases, denying the project to preserve all of the site.

Site of former Sunset Magazine HQ nominated to National Register of Historic Places, The Almanac

Affordable Housing in Downtown Menlo Park

The controversy surrounding the recent City Council vote to advance planning for the conversion of up to three downtown parking lots underscores the importance of meeting Menlo Park’s housing requirements outlined in our state-certified Housing Element.

The proposal to develop very low-income housing on downtown city-owned lots has faced significant opposition, particularly from downtown businesses concerned about potential parking shortages. While some of these concerns are valid, delaying this project puts Menlo Park at risk of falling out of compliance with the state-mandated requirement to add nearly 3,000 new housing units by 2031 with 25% of new units allocated for very low-income households. Failing to fulfill our housing commitments could expose us to more aggressive Builder’s Remedy projects like 80 Willow Road.

Menlo Forward supported this plan to ensure we meet the needs of our economically diverse community and to avoid the risk of far more out-of-scale development proposals.

Menlo Park council gives go-ahead to seek developer input on downtown parking lots, The Almanac

Dear Supporters,

Thank you to everyone who attended recent neighborhood meetings to learn more about the development plans for the former Sunset site and how we can work together to shape the outcome of this project. We’re heartened by the energy of neighbors to advocate for our community.

On November 14th, the City of Menlo Park deemed the developer’s application complete, confirming all application materials have been submitted, the first step in the approval process. The proposal now moves to the Planning Commission which will review the proposal for consistency with all applicable development standards, as well as all applicable environmental standards under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

As the plans advance through the City review process, the time has come to voice our opposition.

Menlo Forward was founded by your neighbors who are advocating for common sense to prevail in our community. We are a volunteer organization, but we rely on legal experts and other technical consultants to guide our work. We also incur operational expenses associated with our community education and mobilization efforts.

If you haven’t already, we hope you’ll consider a DONATION to Menlo Forward to support our efforts

At the same time, it’s critical to send two clear messages to the City: this proposal’s massive scale is unacceptable, and a full Environmental Impact Report must be required. You can participate by doing the following:

• Attend a Planning Commision meeting, in person or online, held twice a month on Mondays at 7pm. See details here or send an email to planning.commission@menlopark.gov.
• Attend a City Council meeting held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at 751 Laurel Street or online. Or submit a written comment up to one-hour before the meeting to city.council@menlopark.gov. See more info here. While a vote is not yet scheduled on this proposal, it’s critical that city leaders are aware of widespread opposition to the developer’s plan.
• Send an email to city leaders to express your concerns about the developer’s proposal. See email addresses here.

Note that public comments can be made on any issue, not only agenda items. Speakers are given three minutes to comment. For sample talking points, see here.

Additionally, consider sending a letter to the editors of The Almanac (editor@AlmanacNews.com) and/or The Palo Alto Daily Post (letters@padailypost.com).

As we enter the season of gratitude, living in an engaged community that values thoughtful growth, human-centered design, and neighborhoods that adapt responsibly is something we can all appreciate together. Join us in advocating for development that enhances, rather than overwhelms, our shared community.

We wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.

Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org

Menlo Park deems application for controversial ‘builder’s remedy’ project at former Sunset Magazine site complete -The Almanac News, 11/15/24

Dear Supporters,

It was wonderful to hear from many of you following the initial launch of Menlo Forward several weeks ago. Your support highlights the importance of coming together as a community to ensure thoughtful growth and a common sense approach to the development of the former Sunset Magazine site.

On October 11th, the City of Menlo Park deemed the developer’s application for 80 Willow Road incomplete. The developer is unlikely to back down and will likely resubmit their application within 90 days – or sooner. Once the application is resubmitted, the City will again have 30 days to review it for completeness. The developer also has the option to appeal the City’s incomplete determination. A completeness determination is just one step in a longer process that may take months to years before construction begins.

During this period, it’s critical that we continue spreading awareness among residents in the surrounding communities about this project and the dire impacts it would have on our neighborhoods. In addition to creating traffic gridlock unlike anything we’ve ever seen, the project would worsen the very problem it claims to address – the need for more housing. With nearly 560k sf of space designated for non-residential purposes (offices, retail, hotel, school), this tower complex would create more jobs than housing, worsening our existing housing deficit.

Here’s what’s needed now:

• Get Involved
  • Sign up to receive a yard sign. Yard signs provide a visible way to build awareness and support among neighbors. Join us in showing that while we support affordable housing, mega towers do not belong in our residential neighborhood.
  • Show your support for Menlo Forward’s community organizing efforts by adding your name to a list of supporters we will add to our website. Your public support signals the widespread support for a common sense solution at this site.
• Donate. Menlo Forward is a grassroots organization relying solely on the support of neighbors. The first step in the critical work we will undertake is to mobilize our community to ensure the City of Menlo Park is aware of our opposition to this project. If you’ve not yet donated, your donation today will help us inform and educate residents about the role we must all play as the developer’s proposal advances to the City Council for approval.
• Spread the word: Forward this email to 10 friends and neighbors and encourage them to join us.

We appreciate you joining us in this effort – it will take all of us.

Onward together,

Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org

Menlo Park once again deems two ‘builder’s remedy’ applications incomplete, Menlo Park Almanac 10/22/24

Dear Neighbors,

Over the past year, conversations with neighbors have revealed overwhelming opposition to the towers proposed for the former Sunset Magazine site in Menlo Park. The proposal is wildly out of scale for our community and would worsen the City’s housing deficit and traffic congestion. A common sense approach is needed at this site.

A group of neighbors has joined together to form Menlo Forward, an organization founded to promote smart growth and affordable housing in Menlo Park and neighboring cities while preserving their quality of life. Menlo Forward is committed to fostering a vibrant community that meets the needs of a growing and diverse population.

Menlo Forward aims to be a powerful, long term force in mobilizing our community. Our initial focus is influencing what happens at the former Sunset Magazine site at 80 Willow Road. We’re energized and optimistic about the opportunities to impact the outcome. We’ll share more details soon.

Here’s what’s needed now:

• Visit www.menloforward.org to learn more about Menlo Forward’s mission
• Get Involved
  • Sign up to receive a yard sign – Yard signs provide a visible way to build awareness and support among neighbors. Join us in showing that while we support affordable housing, mega towers do not belong in our residential neighborhood.
  • Show your support for Menlo Forward’s community organizing efforts by adding your name to a list of supporters we will add to our website. Your public support signals the widespread support for a common sense solution at this site.
  • Volunteer to support our efforts.
  • Stay Informed – we will send periodic updates about our efforts, the status of the application, and calls to action.
• Donate. Menlo Forward is a grassroots organization relying solely on the support of neighbors. The first step in the critical work we will undertake is to mobilize our community to ensure the City of Menlo Park is aware of our opposition to this project. Your donation today will help us inform and educate residents about the role we must all play as the developer’s proposal advances to the City Council for approval.
• Spread the word: Forward this email to 10 friends and neighbors and encourage them to join us.

Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback. We look forward to partnering with you to impact the future of Menlo Park.

All the best,

Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org/

Dear Neighbors,

Over the past year, conversations with neighbors have revealed overwhelming opposition to the towers proposed for the former Sunset Magazine site in Menlo Park. The proposal is wildly out of scale for our community and would worsen the City’s housing deficit and traffic congestion. A common sense approach is needed at this site.

A group of neighbors has joined together to form Menlo Forward, an organization founded to promote smart growth and affordable housing in Menlo Park and neighboring cities while preserving their quality of life. Menlo Forward is committed to fostering a vibrant community that meets the needs of a growing and diverse population.

Menlo Forward aims to be a powerful, long term force in mobilizing our community. Our initial focus is influencing what happens at 80 Willow Road. We’re energized and optimistic about the opportunities to impact the outcome. We’ll share more details soon.

In the meantime, for us to be successful, we need you to join us. Here’s how you can help:

• Visit www.menloforward.org
• Forward this email to 10 friends and neighbors and encourage them to join us.
• Consider making a donation that is personally meaningful. Our efforts will require significant funding.

Your volunteer energy will be needed soon. Right now, though, funding our work and informing your friends and neighbors are the most urgent priorities.

Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback.

The Team at Menlo Forward

www.menloforward.org