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Commission finds Meta and Willow Village in compliance for 2025 review year; developer says Willow Village is on hold
Summary
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to find Meta and Peninsula Innovation Partners in compliance with their development agreements for 2025. Peninsula Innovation Partners announced Willow Village is on hold due to market conditions but said DA obligations and some community programs continue.
The Menlo Park Planning Commission on May 18 adopted staff resolutions finding good‑faith compliance with development agreements for Meta’s East and West campuses and for Peninsula Innovation Partners’ Willow Village project for the 2025 review year.
Juan Salazar, Director of Public Policy for Meta, told the Commission Meta “continued to meet its commitments” and highlighted community programs including a 14th annual Summer Academy internship for local high‑school students and a community‑grant program supporting nonprofits addressing food insecurity, mental health, housing and youth mentorship.
Peninsula Innovation Partners, the developer behind Willow Village, told the Commission the project is being placed on hold because current market conditions and evolving space needs do not support advancing the project at this time. Eric Morley said the pause was a difficult decision but that the developer remains in compliance with the existing development agreement and will continue community programs listed in the DA.
Public concern: Pam D. Jones, a Belhaven neighborhood resident and community‑program manager, urged the developer and Meta to clarify future plans for the site and stressed the neighborhood need for housing (particularly lower‑income and senior units), a grocery store and neighborhood-serving retail. Commissioners asked staff and the developers follow-up questions about outstanding implementation items; staff said some ministerial reviews tied to Willow Village have been paused while the project is on hold.
Outcome: The Commission voted separately to find compliance with both development agreements; both motions passed 5‑0. Staff will return material updates to the Council as required by the DA and maintain coordination with the applicants.
