May 18, 2026 - Planning Commission

The City of Menlo Park Planning Commission held a meeting on May 18, 2026, focusing on several land use and development matters. Key procurement-related discussions included the approval of use permit revisions for residential and commercial properties, architectural and sign reviews for a Citibank branch, and a use permit for a church in a commercial building. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing proposed amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan, aimed at revitalizing downtown Menlo Park by expanding allowable uses such as small-scale commercial recreation, personal improvement services, and limited office space in existing buildings. The Commission unanimously approved the amendments with modifications, including excluding banks and financial institutions from the changes and adding small-scale recreation as a conditional use. The meeting also covered the annual review of development agreements for Meta's East and West Campuses, confirming compliance with development obligations. Commissioners discussed concerns about downtown vibrancy, zoning flexibility, and the need for proactive planning to encourage investment and community engagement. Motions to approve the development agreement reviews passed unanimously, and the Commission indicated plans for future meetings to address ongoing housing and development issues.