Menlo Park Council evaluates inclusionary housing options for RM zoned sites

The City Council and Planning Commission of Atherton, California, convened for a Joint Special Study Session on June 23, 2025, to discuss the town's housing strategies and the implications of recent zoning changes. The meeting focused on the adoption of a program for RM 20 and RM 40 sites, which include areas around Menlo College, Menlo School, and Sacred Heart.

Key discussions began with a preference for implementing a housing program specifically for these RM 20 and RM 40 sites. However, concerns were raised regarding the application of this program to RM 10 sites located on Bay Road, Ringwood, and Ravenswood, particularly due to their private ownership and the potential impact of the state's density bonus program.

The council also addressed the scope of the proposed program concerning single-family home construction. Questions arose about whether the program would apply solely to new constructions on vacant lots, or if it would also encompass demolitions and additions to existing homes.

Since January, the town has made significant progress, including the certification of its housing element in May and the completion of the 2024 annual progress report. Notably, the town is currently exceeding its targets for lower-income housing units, largely attributed to the success of the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program. However, officials emphasized that the housing element strategies rely on both ADUs and inclusionary housing from the PFS zoned multifamily overlay, which includes the aforementioned school sites.

The meeting outlined four potential paths for moving forward with the housing program. The first option involves not adopting any ordinance, which would rely entirely on the ADU program but may conflict with state requirements. The second option recommends proceeding with the RM 20 and RM 40 on-site program, which would fulfill state requirements and introduce the town to inclusionary housing components.

The third option expands the program to include RM 10 properties, potentially adding 17 lower-income units, contingent on confidence in the site selection. Lastly, a town-wide program was discussed, which would involve single-family home development and may require further analysis.

The objective of the session was to gather initial feedback to assist staff in drafting the inclusionary housing ordinance. Depending on the feedback received, further revisions to the study may be necessary to align with the town's housing goals and state mandates. The council aims to ensure that Atherton meets its housing needs while navigating the complexities of local and state regulations.