Dear Mayor Combs and Councilmembers,
I support meeting Menlo Parks state housing obligations, and I appreciate the work youve done to stay compliant with our certified Housing Element. Because the downtown parking-plaza sites are unique, valuable public assets that anchor our small-business district, I respectfully ask that you place this specific disposition of city-owned land on the ballot for a citywide vote.
State law (the Surplus Land Act) prioritizes affordable housing when cities dispose of public land, and Menlo Park has publicly signaled its intent to follow those procedures. Even so, the Act does not require a below-market or zero land value; it allows Council discretion to weigh community tradeoffs and structure terms transparently. Given the long-term effects on downtown parking, retail vitality, and city finances, a vote would ensure broad legitimacy while still keeping us aligned with state law and our Housing Element commitments.
Thank you for considering this request for direct public input on a once-in-a-generation decision.
Sincerely,
Lou Deziel, Menlo Park resident
