Planning Commission to consider Specific Plan amendments May 18

Published on May 11, 2026

Downtown Menlo Park

Monday, May 18, beginning at 7 p.m., the Planning Commission is scheduled to consider a recommendation that the City Council approve amendments to the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan.

The proposed amendments are focused on the following updates:

  • Expanding allowed land uses along Santa Cruz Avenue to encourage more types of businesses between the Caltrain station and University Drive within the Downtown/Station Area "Main Street" Overlay;
  • Updating and clarifying definitions for four land use types: business services, personal improvement services, personal services – general, and personal services – restricted, across the entire Specific Plan area;
  • Revising the plan's public benefit requirements to allow existing buildings within the Main Street Overlay to satisfy their public benefit obligations through an in-lieu payment, where a building is requesting bonus level floor area ratio for office uses.

Please attend the hearing to learn more about the proposed Specific Plan amendments and to share your feedback.

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