Logo with green background, white and yellow text saying "Yes! on D" and "Downtown Los Altos" with a red heart icon

Welcome!

Measure D: The Los Altos Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance

Measure D establishes a local ordinance that requires voter approval before the City can sell, give away, repurpose, or make permanent changes to the ten city-owned Parking Plazas in Downtown Los Altos.

A parking lot with several parked cars under trees with vibrant red and green foliage, and a clear blue sky overhead.
Learn more

About Yes! on Measure D

The Goal

  • To ensure that irreversible decisions on irreplaceable public land have voter approval.

  • To protect downtown plazas in the same way we already vote on parks, open space and the civic center.

The Ordinance

  • Requires voter approval before parking plazas are sold, repurposed, or reduced

  • Prioritizes convenient public parking for shoppers and visitors

  • Safeguards protected trees, the tree canopy and open space

  • Provides a check on third party development deals

  • Allows for affordable housing on two parking plazas per the current Housing Element commitment.

Map of a neighborhood block with labeled areas including North Triangle, South Triangle, North Parking Plazas, South Parking Plazas, Retail Core, and numbered sections 1 to 10, with streets such as West Edith Avenue, San Amorio Road, and Foothill Expressway visible.
To Read The Ordinance CLICK HERE

What’s at Stake

900 Convenient, safe & shaded surface parking spots

200 Heritage trees providing village character & climate benefit

$$$ Local business vibrancy

Intentionally-designed village character

Vote by Tuesday, Nov 3

Protect Downtown
Los Altos

Measure D lets Los Altos residents vote on what happens to their downtown.

YES on Measure D means Transparency, Equality and Democracy.

I'm voting Yes How it works Donate
Yes! on Measure D yard sign: Love your downtown. Save your downtown.
Your town Your vote Your choice
Picture it

Same street. Your choice.

Today
Downtown today (illustration)
Shade trees, local shops and easy parking.
Could be
Downtown with 4-story garages (illustration) PP
Four-story parking garages and NO TREES.

With Yes on Measure D, a change like this needs a vote of Los Altos residents. Illustration only. Not a real photo or an approved plan.

Don't let this happen here.

Yes on Measure D stops this
Before A tree-lined street with bright fall colors and cars parked under the trees
After Workers cutting down trees in front of a large concrete parking garage under construction

Vote YES on Measure D

Images show what could happen. Not photos of an approved Los Altos plan.

Simple answers

Know the FACTS.

Tap a question to see the answer.

Read Measure DThe full text · 6-page PDF City of Los Altos Measure D page →

NO, this will NOT create builder’s remedy.

City Manager Gabe Engeland has confirmed:

  • The state will NOT decertify our housing element
  • Builder’s Remedy (builder’s bypass) will NOT kick in with Measure D’s passing

Will this put new apartments on my street?

No. Los Altos already has plans for more homes than the state asks for — over 500 extra, even without the parking plazas.

Does D stop affordable homes?

No. Two plazas are saved for affordable homes, and they can still be built.

Is it normal to vote on city land?

Yes. Los Altos already lets voters decide about other city land. D does the same for downtown.

Does D freeze downtown forever?

No. Downtown can still change. D just means you get a say.

Los Altos Measure D is simply The Right To Vote on our Downtown Parking Plazas

A “Yes” Vote on Measure D

  • Gives residents a vote regarding permanent changes or the sale of the $110M downtown parking plazas
  • Prioritizes preserving our 900+ convenient, free parking spaces and 200+ heritage trees to retain our vibrant village character
  • Sets aside Plazas 7 & 8 to meet State housing per the City’s adopted plan
  • Puts projects like a park, parking garage and performing arts center to a community vote. Residents decide!

When Measure D Passes, City Manager Gabe Engeland has confirmed:

  • The state will not decertify our housing element
  • Builder’s Remedy (builder’s bypass) will not kick in with Measure D’s passing
  • Downtown parking will not be lost or reduced
  • Due to surplus sites, only 16 total housing units required for downtown, but can also be located elsewhere.
  • Residential neighborhoods will not need to be rezoned.

D Stands for Democracy. Let’s Vote!

Today

Big changes to our downtown happen without a vote of residents.

With Yes on Measure D

Everyone gets a vote. The majority decides.

Imagine Downtown Los Altos like this. 

Aerial view of a downtown with large multi-story parking garages filling the blocks
Big parking garages filling the blocks where trees and open plazas are today. With Yes on Measure D, residents vote first. Image shows what could happen. Not a photo of an approved Los Altos plan.
Downtown Los Altos parking plaza today, with shade trees and surface parking
This is what's at stake. Today these downtown plazas have heritage trees and easy surface parking. Plans could turn them into parking garages or other projects. With Yes on Measure D, residents choose.
What Yes on Measure D does

Residents choose. Not just a few.

1

You vote on big changes.

The city can't sell, rent out or build on the downtown parking plazas unless residents vote yes. You get a voice.

2

Heritage trees stay in place.

The big old shade trees downtown are protected. No cutting them down without asking residents first.

3

Los Altos keeps its charm.

Walkable streets, local shops and easy parking. No big changes to our downtown without residents saying OK.

Good to know: Two plazas already set aside for affordable homes can still be built. No vote needed.

10
downtown plazas where residents vote
3,000+
neighbors signed to put D on the ballot
2
plazas saved for affordable homes
Heritage shade trees in a downtown Los Altos parking plaza
These heritage trees could come down if the plazas are redeveloped. Yes on Measure D keeps them in place unless residents vote otherwise.
Why it matters

Protect our charm.

Heritage trees. Easy walks. Local shops. A place to park. It's where we have the Pet Parade and the Festival of Lights.

This is what makes Los Altos feel like home. Residents should choose what happens to it.

Help

Help us win.

Say you're voting Yes

  • Get a free yard sign
  • Help talk to neighbors
  • Add your name as a supporter
Count me in

Or email us at YesLosAltos@gmail.com

Time left to vote

Los Altos votes Tuesday, Nov 3. Polls close at 8 PM.

--Days
--Hours
--Minutes
--Seconds
On Instagram

See the latest.

New videos and photos from the campaign, straight from our Instagram.

Follow @yesondlosaltos

Support 

Yes! on Measure D

Make a donation today!

Help spread the good word on D.

And get a yard sign.

Donate online or mail a check to:

For Downtown Los Altos

171 Main Street, #171

Los Altos, CA 94022

TO DONATE, CLICK HERE
Graphic promoting 'Yelp on D' with a green background, large white cursive text, a large yellow letter 'D', and a red heart symbol, with white text below saying 'Downtown Los Altos'.
Comparison chart with two columns. The left column titled "WHAT THE MEASURE DOES" with checkmark icons and text about voter approval requirements for downtown parking plazas and other community benefits. The right column titled "WHAT THE MEASURE DOES NOT DO" with red cross icons and text clarifying what the measure does not do, such as prohibiting housing or requiring a vote for improvements.
LEARN MORE