Menlo Park Voters Will Decide City Council Future
Residents head to the polls this November to fill three council seats and vote on the future of downtown parking.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Menlo Park residents will cast ballots in the November 2026 election to fill three open city council seats. The outcome will shape local land-use policies and determine the fate of Measure P regarding city-owned downtown parking lots.
Why it matters
The election centers on competing visions for development, specifically regarding high-rise projects and infrastructure management. Decisions made at the ballot box will directly impact how the city balances future growth with current public space usage.
There are three city council seats currently up for election, with candidates ranging in age from 32 to 59. This follows an official filing period for candidates in the Districts 1, 2, and 4 races.
The players
Drew Combs
He is the incumbent candidate for the Menlo Park City Council District 2 seat.
Meta
This technology company is the primary developer behind the 59-acre Willow Village neighborhood project.
Cecilia Taylor
She currently serves on the city council but is not seeking reelection in District 1.
Betsy Nash
She is a sitting council member who is not running for another term in District 4.
The details
Candidates Drew Combs and Vamsi Velagapudi are competing for the District 2 seat, while Wonman Lee and James Rohr face off in District 1. Charlotte Reed and Laura Melahn are running for the District 4 seat, with incumbents Cecilia Taylor and Betsy Nash not seeking reelection.
Timeline
Meta paused the Willow Village development project in May 2026.
The election for city council seats and Measure P takes place in November 2026.
Political Context
Opposing groups in Menlo Park remain divided over the scale of the Willow Village development project and the potential for increased traffic near the Palo Alto border. Critics of the current development trajectory argue that high-density projects strain existing infrastructure and downtown parking availability.
The passage of Measure P will determine whether the city maintains its current authority over downtown parking lots or if new policies for leasing and sales will be enacted. Residents will see direct effects on local development density and neighborhood traffic patterns depending on which candidates secure seats.
The takeaway
Voters face a choice between candidates who prioritize different approaches to high-rise development and land use. Engaging with specific district platforms is essential for residents wanting to understand how their vote affects the local skyline and downtown accessibility.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership shifts on the Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by East Bay Times.
Live Poll
Should voters in your community have to approve the sale of city-owned property?
