Menlo Park Council Requested Traffic Study for Parkline
Councilmember Jeff Schmidt urged for more transportation oversight as Lane Partners expanded the SRI campus project.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Remote Work
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Should city councils pause individual development projects until comprehensive traffic and infrastructure studies are completed?
Menlo Park City Council reviewed a revised proposal from Lane Partners that increased the number of housing units to 1,082 at the SRI International campus. Councilmember Jeff Schmidt insisted on a citywide traffic study to address infrastructure concerns before the project moves forward.
Why it matters
Residents and officials remain concerned about how large-scale developments impact local neighborhood traffic and infrastructure capacity. A formal study aims to provide the necessary data to evaluate these risks before final approvals are granted.
The plan for the 64-acre site now includes 1,082 total housing units and a 40,000 square foot retail village, while reducing office and research space by 25,000 square feet to a total of 900,000 square feet.
The players
Jeff Schmidt
He is a Menlo Park Councilmember who has prioritized comprehensive transportation planning for city development.
Lane Partners
They are a commercial real estate firm based in the Bay Area that focuses on complex redevelopment projects.
SRI International
It is a research institute that operates the 64-acre campus currently targeted for the Parkline redevelopment.
The details
The updated proposal features 754 rental apartments, 108 townhouses, and 220 single-family homes, with a maximum building height of 150 feet. Lane Partners also designated 15 percent of these homes as below market rate, with the potential for 154 additional affordable housing units.
Timeline
Lane Partners began work on the Parkline project in 2018.
The Menlo Park City Council held a study session for the revised proposal on September 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
Large-scale mixed-use developments like Parkline represent a broader trend of converting underutilized research campuses into high-density residential and retail hubs. This shift intensifies competition for city infrastructure resources and often forces developers to negotiate community benefits against mounting traffic concerns.
Area residents may face long-term construction impacts and shifts in local traffic patterns if the project is approved. The inclusion of 15 percent below-market-rate housing and potential for additional affordable units could also change the affordability landscape for local renters.
The takeaway
Large urban redevelopment projects often require a delicate balance between increasing housing supply and maintaining the quality of life in existing neighborhoods. Engaging early with city-led infrastructure studies can help ensure that growth does not overwhelm local traffic capacity.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of neighborhood infrastructure, visit the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Almanac.
Live Poll
Should city councils pause individual development projects until comprehensive traffic and infrastructure studies are completed?
