Menlo Park staff outline Environmental Justice priorities; city ties EJ to housing, food access and air quality
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Summary
City staff presented the Environmental Justice element, highlighting three community priorities—safe housing, food access and reduced pollution exposure—reported early implementation actions (electrification programs, partnerships, and planned tree plantings) and asked council for confirmation to integrate EJ into the FY2026–27 workplan.
City staff presented Menlo Park's Environmental Justice (EJ) element at the council's special workshop, summarized community‑identified priorities and described early implementation steps that will be folded into the FY2026–27 workplan and budget.
The presentation laid out seven EJ goals and emphasized three top priorities identified during community outreach: 1) provide safe, healthy and stable housing; 2) expand access to high‑quality affordable food; and 3) reduce pollution exposure and improve indoor air quality. Staff said the EJ element was adopted in September 2024 and that implementation work is already underway with community groups and nonprofit partners.
Staff cited specific program activity and partners: two MTC‑funded housing assistance programs (rental assistance and legal assistance) were described as anti‑displacement measures; the city reported collaboration with LifeMoves and Habitat for Humanity on preservation and new housing projects; and the city said it has planted 11 trees in Bellehaven and plans to plant 70 more prioritizing heat‑ and pollution‑impacted neighborhoods.
The presentation included program funding figures as presented by staff: staff noted a city commitment of about $1.0 million toward rental housing projects and described a $3.6 million homeownership investment program (staff said $3.1 million was planned to be disbursed in 2025). Staff also referenced a $2,000,000 expected contribution for a veterans housing community described in materials as "Ox(n) Garden" (staff presentation language); workshop documents and staff said funding sources include a mix of general fund, grant funds and other special funds.
Councilmembers and residents asked clarifying questions about outreach, how community‑based organizations were chosen for subcommittees, metrics for displacement risk, and how EJ investments will be tracked against outcomes. Councilmember Cecilia Taylor asked staff to ensure community representatives from the neighborhoods most affected (Bellehaven and the area north of Highway 101) are included in implementation subcommittees.
Staff requested council confirmation on continuing the EJ implementation approach and said they would return with a detailed report to incorporate EJ priorities into the FY2026–27 budget and workplan. No ordinance or code change was considered at the workshop; council direction was limited to confirming that EJ priorities should inform budgeting and next steps.
The council will review a fuller implementation report in April as part of the budget preparation timeline.
