In preparation for submitting an updated housing plan to the state on Oct. 31, Menlo Park has released a draft of its proposal.

The draft supports legalizing second units, otherwise known as "granny units," and identifying appropriate locations for infill development on existing housing sites. Still, that's not enough to provide sites for the estimated 650 units required by state law.

Reaction from some portions of the community to proposed sites has been decidedly negative. Residents living near Sharon Park successfully campaigned against having two acres of the park rezoned for housing. Those living in Linfield Oaks are trying to follow in those footsteps, but without the politically valuable platform of open space defense to buttress their arguments, the movement hasn't gained as much traction. Fifteen sites remain on the list, distributed around the perimeter of the city's boundaries and off Willow Road.

The update is part of a lawsuit settlement with three housing advocacy groups that sued the city in May, alleging that Menlo Park has failed to comply with state housing laws. The city must add housing zones as well as provide incentives for developers to build below-market-rate units as part of the agreement.

Click here to review the draft plan and other housing documents. The Planning Commission will review the document during its Oct. 15 meeting; the council is expected to follow suit on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23.

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