Menlo Park Voters to Decide Measure P in 2026
The November 3, 2026, election will feature a ballot measure regarding the potential repurposing of downtown parking lots.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Should residents be required to vote on local plans to repurpose public land for housing?
Menlo Park residents and businesses have qualified Measure P for the November 3, 2026, ballot to require a city-wide vote before downtown parking lots can be repurposed for housing. The initiative coincides with a competitive City Council District 2 race between incumbent Drew Combs and challenger Vamsi Velagapudi.
Why it matters
The measure seeks to give the public greater control over downtown land use after the city faced challenges meeting state housing mandates and utilized loopholes like the builder's remedy. This decision reflects broader concerns regarding how the city balances family-friendly growth and urban development.
Menlo Park limits business license taxes for offices at $1,250 for entities with over 200 employees, while other businesses cap out at $8,000 for those with gross sales exceeding $30 million.
The players
Vamsi Velagapudi
He is a member of the Menlo Park Finance and Audit Commission and a candidate for the District 2 City Council seat.
Drew Combs
He is the incumbent Menlo Park City Council member for District 2 and an employee at Meta.
The details
Challenger Vamsi Velagapudi, who serves on the city Finance and Audit Commission, is running on a platform of managed growth against incumbent Drew Combs, a Meta employee. The debate follows a period in 2024 when the city lacked an approved housing element, leading to controversial project applications like 80 Willow filed under the builder's remedy.
Timeline
Vamsi Velagapudi moved to Menlo Park in 2018.
The city functioned without an approved housing element throughout 2024.
The election for Measure P is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Market Landscape
Measure P acts as a legislative pushback against the state builder's remedy, which recently allowed developers to bypass local zoning restrictions in Menlo Park. This shift positions local voters against the current trajectory of state-mandated housing development in suburban commercial zones.
Residents and local business owners should prepare for potential changes in downtown land availability and associated city tax structures following the 2026 vote. The election will directly influence how office-heavy businesses and local developers manage property in the coming years.
The takeaway
Voters face a significant decision in 2026 regarding the balance between city-wide planning authority and state-level development mandates. Residents should review the current tax structures and council candidate platforms to understand how upcoming changes may alter the character of their local neighborhoods.
What happens next
Measure P will appear on the ballot for the November 3, 2026, general election.
Further reading
Learn more about the local economic landscape in Menlo Park Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Almanac.
Live Poll
Should residents be required to vote on local plans to repurpose public land for housing?
