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Menlo Park council hears Planning Commission applicants debating proactive role on housing and SB35 pressure
Summary
Seven applicants introduced themselves to the City Council; questions focused on whether the Planning Commission should remain largely reactive to permits or take a more proactive role on housing strategy, with candidates emphasizing collaboration, outreach, and creativity to meet RHNA and avoid builder's‑remedy outcomes.
Menlo Park City Council opened interviews with applicants to fill vacancies on the Planning Commission on April 14, hearing seven introductions and extended discussion about the commission’s role in shaping housing strategy.
City Clerk Judy Herron explained the process (appointments set for April 28). Applicants — including Jeff Burks, Nancy LaRocca‑Hedley, Ron Renwick, Meredith Rohr and incumbent Jennifer Schindler — described varied backgrounds in real estate, environmental policy, engineering, community organizing and municipal planning. Public commenters supported Meredith Rohr’s candidacy.
A recurring theme in applicant answers and council questions was whether the Planning Commission should remain predominantly reactive (reviewing permits, variances and use permits) or adopt a more proactive posture to advance the city’s housing goals. Several applicants said the commission can be creative within its prescribed duties — for example by conducting targeted outreach to developers, pursuing programs named in the housing element, or emphasizing pre‑application engagement to shape projects before formal submission.
Commissioner‑applicant Jennifer Schindler, who currently serves on the Planning Commission and has chaired it, described efforts to improve information sharing and education among commissioners and said deeper technical review (for example on RHNA calculations and EIRs) can help the city anticipate and respond to developer proposals. Several applicants noted SB35 and Builder’s Remedy as ongoing pressures that increase the need for proactive strategy.
Why it matters: The Planning Commission’s composition and approach will shape how Menlo Park implements its housing element and responds to state mandates and developer proposals; the council will make appointments April 28.
What’s next: The Council will deliberate and appoint new members at its April 28 meeting.
