| EJ2.A |
Stationary Pollutant Generators. Work with any identified significant stationary pollutant generators to the extent it is within the City’s jurisdiction (e.g., gas stations, automobile repair, dry cleaners, and/or diesel generators) to minimize the generation of pollution through best available control technologies.
|
This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues. |
| EJ2.B |
Climate Action Plan Implementation. Implement and periodically update the City’s Climate Action Plan to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) is subject to annual progress reports and is scheduled for an update in 2028. The City Council received the 2025 progress report outlining priority actions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Most significant efforts in 2025 include expanding the state grant-funded Home Upgrade Services program to enroll more residents, adopting local building code amendments to encourage energy efficiency and electrification, and making significant strides to eliminate fossil fuel use at municipal facilities.
Specifically, 21 homes in Belle Haven have received electrification upgrades as of Jan. 2026 and in partnership with the Belle Haven Community Development Fund a new program to support renters was launched. Gas water heaters at City Hall and the Burgess Pool were replaced with efficient heat pump water heaters through PG&E's Government, K-12 Energy Efficiency Program. Staff also scoped work to replace the final gas water heater at the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, planned for early 2026. On fleet electrification, the City secured $2.2 million in grant funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure for fleet and community vehicles and brought on project management support, with construction planned to begin in 2026.
CAP implementation also includes education and outreach, prioritizing bilingual engagement through workshops, door-to-door canvassing, mailers, and community events in Belle Haven and the Bayfront. The City hosted the Love Our Earth Festival at BHCC alongside partners including 350 Silicon Valley, Acterra, the City of East Palo Alto, Menlo Spark, and Peninsula Clean Energy, offering bike fix-it clinics, information about available incentives and programs, free food, and more. The City also continued implementation of its zero emission landscaping equipment ordinance, which took effect for leaf blowers and string trimmers in July 2024, with remaining equipment — chain saws, lawnmowers, and hedge trimmers — phasing in by January 2029.
|
| EJ2.C |
Air Quality Education and Outreach. Conduct proactive education and outreach about indoor and outdoor air quality and protective actions that can be taken to both improve air quality inside one's home and to minimize exposure to poor air quality index days.
|
Specifically, 21 homes in Belle Haven have received electrification upgrades as of Jan. 2026 and in partnership with the Belle Haven Community Development Fund a new program to support renters was launched. Gas water heaters at City Hall and the Burgess Pool were replaced with efficient heat pump water heaters through PG&E's Government, K-12 Energy Efficiency Program. Staff also scoped work to replace the final gas water heater at the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, planned for early 2026. On fleet electrification, the City secured $2.2 million in grant funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure for fleet and community vehicles and brought on project management support, with construction planned to begin in 2026. |
| EJ2.C.1 |
Action Item: Identify and implement methods and avenues for public education and outreach about air quality issues in the community.
|
In 2024, the City supported Acterra's, community based organization, application to the California Air Resource Board to fund the installation of air quality monitoring devices in Belle Haven. Funding awards have not yet been determined.
City staff continuously provide information encouraging sign-up for Spare the Air alerts. City staff help educate the community on the impacts of using gas-powered landscaping equipment through methods including, but not limited to, citywide mailing, banners, Weekly Digest and social media posts, outreach to landscapers, and posting information at the Belle Haven Community Campus.
Sustainability staff attend Belle Haven Community Climate Change Team meetings to help identify community priorities and solutions for addressing air quality issues in Menlo Park.
|
| EJ2.C.2 |
Action Item: Support the distribution of air purifiers and/or other air cleaning devices within underserved communities, especially for sensitive populations. |
CAP implementation also includes education and outreach, prioritizing bilingual engagement through workshops, door-to-door canvassing, mailers, and community events in Belle Haven and the Bayfront. The City hosted the Love Our Earth Festival at BHCC alongside partners including 350 Silicon Valley, Acterra, the City of East Palo Alto, Menlo Spark, and Peninsula Clean Energy, offering bike fix-it clinics, information about available incentives and programs, free food, and more. The City also continued implementation of its zero emission landscaping equipment ordinance, which took effect for leaf blowers and string trimmers in July 2024, with remaining equipment — chain saws, lawnmowers, and hedge trimmers — phasing in by January 2029. |
| EJ2.D |
Illegal Waste Dumping. Minimize and mitigate illegal solid waste dumping (as defined in 7.04.030 of the Municipal Code), potentially through minimizing fees for disposal at landfills in collaboration with South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA).
|
The City has several ongoing partnerships to help minimize illegal dumping:
- Recology offers two free bulky item pick up services that residents can use to dispose of large items (e.g., mattresses and sofas).
- The City organizes free electronic waste and document shredding events with RethinkWaste.
- The City hosts free household hazardous waste collection events with the San Mateo County Health Department.
- Public Works staff receive illegal dumping reports from ACT Menlo Park and staff or Recology responds/collects the item(s) within the next business day.
|
| EJ2.D.1 |
Action Item: Conduct proactive outreach in underserved communities to inform households of free trash pickup days and solid waste disposal opportunities and programs, including the ACT Menlo Park reporting app. Outreach can include signage about ACT Menlo Park along Pierce Road. |
The City creates quarterly Recology bill inserts to provide information about free sustainable community related-events (e.g., household hazardous waste collection, document shredding, electronic waste collection, bulky item pick-up services, and compost and mulch giveaways) and to encourage multifamily and commercial properties to contact Recology for free compost pails. The bill inserts also include information about the City’s rate assistance program which provides eligible users discounts on their Recology and Menlo Park Municipal Water bills. Additionally, the bill inserts encourage use of the City’s online and mobile application called ACT Menlo Park, which makes it easy to report non-emergency issues from a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer. Public Works staff have QR codes on their business cards to encourage the public to utilize ACT Menlo Park. The City partners with RethinkWaste to produce and distribute spring/summer and fall/winter Rethinker newsletters through direct mailing. Newsletters are also available electronically on the RethinkWaste website. Public Works staffed debris collection monthly events are being planned for Belle Haven begining in spring 2026 as a pilot program.
|
| EJ2.D.2 |
Action item: Explore ways to subsidize or eliminate fees for disposal at landfills and implement for underserved communities. |
The City offers a rate assistance program for solid waste services to help income-eligible residents facing financial hardship. |
| EJ2.E |
Green Infrastructure Plan. Review the City's Green Infrastructure Plan and update, as necessary, to incorporate environmental justice. Focus on underserved communities and implement programs in this Element, in coordination with related regional efforts.
|
Ongoing implementation of the 2019 Green Infrastructure Plan through development reviews through conditions for green infrastructure/LID and complete-streets frontage elements on applicable projects, with attention to Belle Haven/Bayfront areas where relevant. Continued evaluation of green infrastructure requirements on public projects for stormwater permit compliance. |
| EJ2.E.1 |
Action Item: Support efforts by other agencies to abate hazardous, polluted, or toxic sites. Align with community members and collaborate with regulatory and regional agencies to clean up hazardous, polluted, or toxic sites and incorporate sea-level rise and groundwater rise in remediation decisions. |
In 2025, the City advanced efforts for the Strategy to Advance Flood protection, Ecosystems Restoration and Recreation along San Francisco Bay (SAFER Bay) project, a multi-jurisdictional and public-private collaboration to protect communities and critical infrastructure from sea level rise and tidal flooding in the cities of Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. In Menlo Park, the project will use levees, floodwalls, and natural solutions to protect 3.7 miles of shoreline – safeguarding homes, schools, business, and roads from coastal flooding. Aspects of sea level rise include, but are not limited to: structure and contaminant risk, roads and other structures weaken, stream flooding and rising groundwater, loss of shoreline habitat, rising waters, and seawater intrusion. |
| EJ2.E.2 |
Action Item: Prioritize comprehensive undergrounding of utilities in underserved communities on private and public property to promote resilience. Consider the impact of shallow groundwater rise on underground utilities. |
Ongoing implementation of Menlo Park Municipal Code Chapter 15.16 requirements for undergrounding electric and communication service connections on private property under applicable circumstances.For qualifying private development in O, LS, and R-MU zoning districts, projects were reviewed/conditioned to underground eligible overhead electric distribution (<60 kV) and communication lines along the project frontage where required by code; these districts are adjacent to and serve underserved communities. |
| EJ2.E.3 |
Action Item: Focus green stormwater improvements for areas at risk of flooding with an emphasis on underserved communities. |
Ongoing evaluation of applicable private development projects for stormwater retention and treatment consistent with the stormwater permit requirements and the City’s Green Infrastructure Plan, including requiring onsite capture of increases in runoff and installation of stormwater treatment measures to retain and treat runoff prior to discharge to the public storm drain. Where feasible and applicable, staff also continue to evaluate green infrastructure in the public right-of-way/frontage for large developments and qualifying projects consistent with City standards. The City's capital improvement program includes upgrades to its stormwater facilities to mitigate flooding. |
| EJ2.E.4 |
Action Item: Support West Bay Sanitary District, the respective responsible agency, in their efforts to prevent sewage discharges during large stormwater events. In the event of occurrence, coordinate with the responsible agency in conducting proactive, extensive, and prolonged community outreach and education to inform underserved communities of protective actions and risks. The City can coordinate with agencies to promptly share their information with the City Council and community after storms. |
City staff host regular coordination meetings with West Bay Sanitary District (WBSD) to review upcoming projects including sewer main upgrades to address capacity and leakage isuses. Staff also reviews development projects with WBSD to condition upgrades to the sewer main as a condition of the project's frontage improvement where applicable. The City issues notices to impacted residents, prior to resurfacing any given street, for owners to repair their sanitary sewer lateral in advance. In the event that emergency repairs are required due to large storm events, Public Works coordinates with WBSD to expedite corrective measures. For example, staff will issue an emergency encroachment permit, and assist with public outreach and traffic control as required. |
| EJ2.E.5 |
Action Item: Collaborate with landowners to decrease the risk of flooding by advancing watershed management projects that reduce and/or store runoff during rainfall events, including the installation of green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) practices, and improve the condition in the floodplain, for example through floodplain restoration or improvement. |
Through development reviews, Engineering/Land Development required feasible LID/green infrastructure measures and stormwater detention/treatment consistent with the City's stormwater permit, GI Plan, and City grading/drainage guidelines. Regulated projects were conditioned to manage increases in runoff onsite and provide treatment prior to discharge to the public storm drain.
|
| EJ2.E.6 |
Action Item: Encourage green infrastructure in future developments, including using green infrastructure as preferred alternative. |
Applied the City’s Green Infrastructure (GI) Plan and during development review to avoid “missed opportunities,” including conditioning feasible GI in public ROW/frontage through frontage improvement requirements.
|
| EJ2.E.7 |
Action Item: Establish requirements for major development and redevelopment projects to construct and maintain urban greening projects in the adjacent public right of way. Community benefits for such projects could include shade trees for pedestrian and biking routes. |
The existing heritage tree and street tree ordinances have requirements for tree preservation during development and re-planting on private property and in the public right-of-way, with a focus on diversity and large canopy species where site conditions allow. The City is currently updating administrative guidelines to increase the amount of mitigation required for development-related tree removals. City staff review qualifying development projects for frontage improvements which can include the addition of street trees, landscaping, planters, and green infrastructure, within the public right-of-way where feasible. Staff are in the process of developing a request of proposals for the development of the City's urban forest management plan. The plan will provide updated guidelines for tree replanting for development projects.
|
| EJ2.E.8 |
Action Item: Restore and enhance parks, natural lands and large open spaces and explore expansion of the City’s natural areas preservation system through land transfers and acquisitions of undeveloped/unprotected private and public lands. |
This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues.
|
| EJ2.F |
National Flood Insurance Program. Increase community outreach and awareness of the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, including the Community Rating System, and the potential benefits to homeowners (e.g., reduced insurance premiums). |
This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues. |
| EJ2.G |
Transportation to City Events. Develop incentives to encourage shared commute programs and alternative methods of travel for city events, meetings, and official business. |
In 2025, the City provided transportation from the Belle Haven neighborhood for two City Council meetings including the annual priority setting workshop and budget public hearing.
The City's ongoing free shuttle program includes two community shuttles (M1-Crosstown and Shoppers’ shuttles) and two commuter shuttles (M3-Marsh Road and M4-Willow Road shuttles) that encourage individuals to take transit instead of driving. The shuttle service complements existing transit services in San Mateo County provided by SamTrans, Caltrain, and the Dumbarton Express. A Comprehensive Shuttle Study was conducted to analyze how to improve the shuttle service to connect the community to transit, jobs, shopping, and other destinations while maximizing ridership and cost-efficiencies. The study was accepted by the City Council on December 17, 2024. The study was accepted by the City Council on December 17, 2024. An update on the study and potential next steps was provided to the City Council in January 2026. SamTrans began piloting the RidePlus microtransit (public transit, on demand) service in the Belle Haven neighborhood in 2024. Caltrain offers the Pass Forward program, where local community-serving organizations partner with Caltrain to provide unused transit passes to residents in underserved communities. The Community Transportation Benefits Program offered by the US 101 Express Lanes provides a $200 toll or transit credit to qualifying individuals.
|
| EJ2.H |
Collaboration for Electrification. Collaborate with SamTrans and Ravenswood City School District, as well as Meta and other large employers to leverage transportation electrification initiatives to prioritize bus electrification in underserved communities.
|
SamTrans anticipates being fully electric by 2034, in compliance with State law requiring transit fleets be all electric by 2040. |
| EJ2.I |
Regulations Revisions. Consider revisions to applicable City regulations that will reduce pollution exposure, eliminate environmental inequities, and improve quality of life in underserved communities.
|
In 2025, City Council adopted local building code amendments that require enhanced energy efficiency, pre-wiring and electrification for existing buildings ahead of the 2025 code cycle. Electrification eliminates the combustion of fuel gases and improves community air quality and indoor air quality for residents. |
| EJ2.I.1 |
Action Item: Review truck routes and/or identify and pursue measures for reductions to diesel emissions in underserved communities. |
Coordination with Caltrans on noise mitigation efforts is ongoing. For streets, the City incorporates rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) as a bid alternate on street resurfacing projects impacting arterials and collectors. RAC is composed of recycled tires and is a considered a more environmentally friendly material compared to traditional asphalt. RAC can also reduce vehicular noise for speeds at 45 miles per hour or greater. |
| EJ2.I.2 |
Action Item: Identify, evaluate and implement potential mitigation measures that support Caltrans mitigation efforts to reduce noise and air quality impacts from adjacent freeways and highways, particularly those impacting underserved communities. |
Coordination with Caltrans on noise mitigation efforts is ongoing. For local streets, the City incorporates rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) as a bid alternate on street resurfacing projects impacting arterials and collectors. RAC is composed of recycled tires and is a considered a more environmentally friendly material compared to traditional asphalt. RAC can also reduce vehicular noise for speeds at 45 miles per hour or greater. |
| EJ2.I.3 |
Action Item: Install improved vegetative buffers between freeways and highways and adjacent land uses to reduce noise and air quality impacts, upon identification of the roadway segments for such installations. |
The U.S. 101/ Willow landscaping plans reached 95% with planned construction in summer 2026. The City continued to respond to resident requests for street tree plantings to serve as vegetative buffers from freeways. Over the past year, three trees have been planted for this purpose. |
| EJ2.I.4 |
Action Item: Review and update the Transportation Toolkit (Appendix I to the Transportation Master Plan) and the City's standard design details to incorporate Universal Design principles to enhance access for all people. |
This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues. |
| EJ2.I.5 |
Action Item: Support roadway design that integrates green stormwater infrastructure into traffic calming (where appropriate) and includes trees, landscape buffer areas, public art, public space, and other visual enhancement. |
The City has a Green Infrastructure (GI) Plan to guide the implementation of GI and ensure "no missed opportunities" across projects. Staff evaluates all qualifying development and street resurfacing projects for implementation of complete streets and GI features. Contingent upon factors such as right-of-way width and funding, traffic calming, landscaping, and GI are assessed when planning roadway projects or leveraged as part of frontage improvements for development projects.
|
| EJ2.I.6 |
Action Item: Consider rezoning and limiting the intensity and usage of industrially zoned properties and/or other means such as landscaping to ensure a healthier and safer separation between residential and industrial uses. |
This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues. |
| EJ2.I.7 |
Action Item: Explore reductions to parking requirements with the intent to encourage balanced live, work, and play environments. |
In November and December 2023, the City approved a variety of zoning amendments to provide residential development opportunities throughout the community in the spirit of affirmatively furthering fair housing, promoting a range of housing options at all affordability levels through new residential and mixed use developments (which allow for shared parking), enhancing vibrancy and promoting activity in the downtown and along major corridors through the city, and implementing the zoning programs in the Housing Element. Reduction/elimination of parking requirements were applied to sites around the downtown as well. |
| EJ2.I.8 |
Action Item: Inform residents and organizations in underserved communities of the permit application process for temporary street closures for temporary events such as farmers’ markets, arts and craft fairs, bicycle and pedestrian events, and other public events. Consider easing the permitting process for temporary street closures in the city. |
In 2025, there were eight major events at Bedwell Bayfront Park with only parking spaces impacted and not full, temporary street closures.
|
| EJ2.J |
Urban Forest Management Plan. Develop Urban Forest: Developing the Management Plan for Menlo Park within four years of the adoption of the Environmental Justice Element. |
Staff are in the process of developing a request of proposals for the development of the City's urban forest management plan. A request for proposals for early action tree planting plan was released in December. Tree planting is planned for 2026. |
| EJ2.J.1
|
Action Item: Urban canopy expansion prioritizing underserved communities and areas vulnerable to urban heat effects, using tools such as the Tree Equity Score and Bay Area Greenprint. |
Staff are in the process of developing a request of proposals for the development of the City's urban forest management plan. A request for proposals for early action tree planting plan in Belle Haven was released in December. Tree planting is planned for 2026. |
| EJ2.J.2 |
Action Item: Implement equitable canopy expansion procedures and promote and maintain healthy and vibrant trees that may require dedicating additional resources within the City Arborist Division, Public Works. |
The City replaces each street tree and park tree that is removed, as long as there is space. Staff are in the process of developing a request of proposals for the developmet of the City's urban forest management plan. A request for proposals for early action tree planting plan in Belle Haven was released in December. Tree planting is planned for 2026. |
| EJ2.J.3 |
Action Item: Include trees, landscape buffer areas, public art, public space, and other visual enhancements in roadway projects, emphasizing tree planting and landscaping along all streets. |
Contingent upon factors such as right-of-way width and funding, traffic calming, and landscaping, green infrastructure is assessed when planning roadway projects and leveraged as part of frontage improvements for development projects. Routine maintenance is conducted every five years for street and park trees. Residents may request evaluation of work needs outside of routine maintenance and request new tree planting as needed. All removed public trees are replaced as long as there is space.
|
| EJ2.J.4 |
Action Item: Use Urban Forest: Developing the Management Plan for Menlo Park to prioritize the retention of mature street trees in public rights of way or City-owned parcels during infrastructure modifications. (e.g., using solutions such as bulb-outs, basin expansion, and sidewalk re-routing). |
The City has preservation requirements for heritage and street trees. Staff are in the process of developing a request of proposals for the development of the City's urban forest management plan. A request for proposals for early action tree planting plan in Belle Haven was released in December. Tree planting is planned for 2026.
|
| EJ2.J.5 |
Action Item: Coordinate with property owners to help preserve mature trees by replacing any that require removal in any redevelopment process. Explore opportunities to transplant trees and vegetation that require removal during construction to other places within underserved communities. Consider requiring multiple new trees be planted for each mature tree removed. |
The City is updating administrative guidelines to require increased mitigation for development-related removals. The City Arborist reviews each proposed heritage and street tree removal and ensures there is "good cause" for removal after exhausting all other alternatives. The City Arborist also ensures sufficient mitigation (e.g., multiple replacement trees or a large tree replacement) is provided for each approved heritage tree removal.
|
| EJ2.K |
Extreme Heat Relief. Prioritize relief from extreme heat (Safety Element Program S1.T) in underserved communities. Information on these resources shall be provided at community facilities (e.g., BHCC). |
The City operates three cooling centers at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, Belle Haven Community Campus, and the Menlo Park Library. The facilities are air-conditioned and open to the public everyday. A-frames are placed on extreme weather days inviting community members to seek relief in the facility. Signage improvements for facilities continue to be considered (e.g., branded, informational/directional signage for A-frames). Additionally, the Home Upgrade Services program provides air conditioning through the installation of heat pumps and has installed 24 at no-cost to Menlo Park homeowners since program launch in Sept. 2024.
|