# September 28, 2026 - Planning Commission

The September 28, 2026, Menlo Park Planning Commission meeting considered two residential development applications and discussed future zoning review. The commission unanimously approved use permits for new homes at 411 Chester Street and 253 Yale Road, both on substandard lots. Public and commissioner discussion covered neighbor privacy, ADU access, landscaping and drainage, setbacks, parking, and home energy choices. Staff clarified that ADUs have four-foot side and rear setbacks under state law and that drainage and grading are reviewed by city engineering staff. Commissioners also discussed whether substandard-lot projects could move from discretionary to ministerial review; no zoning change was adopted, and staff said specific ordinance updates would likely return to the commission.

Staff announced that the City Council would receive an update the following evening on a financial review of downtown development proposals involving parking plazas 1, 2, and 3. No contract awards, solicitations, vendor selections, procurement votes, or spending approvals were identified at this meeting.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 28, 2026

### Sources
- [September 28, 2026 - Planning Commission](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99ednZm3Leg) - CityofMenloPark