Dear Mayor Combs, City Council Members, Housing Commission and City Manager:
I urge the City of Menlo Park representatives to work with developers on the*
Integration Model* of an even distribution of housing targeted 1) very low,
2) low, 3) moderate and 4) above moderate for every approved housing
development in Menlo Park.
The 25% rule for each of the four income levels would support integration
rather than isolation of these populations.
The current housing incentive for developers of 15% BMR is NOT much of a
contribution toward affordable housing and *continues to isolate lower
income households and individuals *and supports the isolation of lower
income families and individuals. Specifically, it is flooding the market
with market rate housing under the guise of affordable housing for
developers that are granted the nominal 15% Below Market Rate (BMR).
In support of the integration and affordability there should be an even 25%
for each income level of 1) very low, 2) low, 3) moderate and 4) above
moderate.
A good example of the effect of the 15% BMR on housing development is the
Bay Presidio Springline Housing development. Once the developer covered the
15% BMR the remaining units are now at market value as follows:
- Total Springline Units: 183 apartments.
- Unit Types: The building offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom
residences.
- Affordable Housing: Included in the total are 20 below-market-rate
(BMR) units designated for low and moderate-income households.
- *Current Springline Rental Rates*
*Current rent *for an apartment at
Springline - The Residences
in Menlo Park ranges from $5,823 for a one-bedroom unit to over $16,000
for a three-bedroom. Actual rates depend on the specific floor plan, square
footage, and availability.
Monthly rent by unit size
- One-Bedroom: Start at $5,823.
- Two-Bedroom: Start at $7,090 and go up to $9,886.
- Three-Bedroom: As of late 2025, a three-bedroom unit was available for
$16,849.
*BMR Unit Pricing*
Springlines 20 out of 183 units went for BMR rental prices (as of March
2022)
- Low income (80% area median income):
- 1-bedroom units: $2,509 per month
- 2-bedroom units: $3,010 per month
- Moderate income (120% area median income):
- 1-bedroom units: $3,136 per month
With *only 20 below-market-rate units at Springline,* Presidio Bay has done
very little to support the state Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA),
which is assigned to the City of Menlo Park.
Working with developers on the USGS and 80 Willow sites on this Integration
Model would be extremely helpful in Menlo Parks efforts toward housing
affordability and meeting state housing requirements.
