EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 4, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Menlo Balance Ballot Measure (Measure V)
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution to take a formal position against the 2022 Menlo Balance Ballot Measure Proposition (Measure V).
Background
The Ravenswood City School District (RCSD) owns the property located at 320 Sheridan Drive (Property) in Menlo Park. The Property was once known as James Flood Elementary.
Since 2020, RCSD leadership has worked diligently to identify solutions for effectively recruiting and retaining quality educators and other district employees to ensure that the youth of East Palo Alto are receiving a quality education.
Like many school districts, RCSD identified the Bay Area’s housing affordability crisis as a key barrier to recruiting and retaining quality staff. To help address this issue, RCSD attempted to develop the Property as potential housing for teachers and other district employees. This has been done by other school districts across the state and has tremendous advantages, since the school district may ensure that those residing in the income restricted apartments are paying an affordable rent.
RCSD sought to develop 80-90 apartments, offering a preference for RCSD teachers and staff, followed by qualifying members of the general public.
In response to RCSD’s proposal to develop much-needed affordable housing for educators and staff, a coalition of residents is pursuing a Citizen-Sponsored Initiative known as Measure V. If approved, the measure would prohibit the Menlo Park City Council from changing the General Plan designation of properties that were designated Very Low Density Residential or Low Density Residential as of April 15, 2022, or re-zoning other low-density properties to encourage more density. As such, Measure V would essentially eliminate RCSD’s options for utilizing school district land for affordable housing.
Analysis
While Measure V is proposed in a jurisdiction outside of East Palo Alto, the RCSD is a significant City partner, charged with educating, mentoring, and helping to foster the futures of East Palo Alto’s youth. Major policy initiatives that impact the RCSD are of importance to the City.
Measure V would negatively impact RCSD, impeding their worthwhile goals, and also effecting the households that would have been served by a 100% affordable housing development. In addition, a voter measure of this nature would set a precedent that could be duplicated elsewhere, resulting in a major barrier to affordable housing development and, ultimately, the perpetuation of community segregation.
As Interim City Manager, I recommend that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution, officially stating the City’s position on Measure V. Every community in the State of California should participate in developing creative solutions and housing options for those who live here. The concern is that, if Measure V is approved, our communities will lag further behind in our efforts to achieve our housing goals.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice by making the agenda and report available on the City’s website and on a bulletin board located at City Hall: 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
The action being considered does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 (b)(5), in that it is a government administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
The process of establishing a subsidiary district is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Guideline Section 15320(b), Class 20 because establishment of the EPASD of a subsidiary district would not alter the geographic area in which sanitary sewer services are provided.
Attachments
A. Resolution