From: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce <info@losaltoschamber.org>
Date: September 11, 2026
Subject: A Message from the Los Altos Chamber Board

From the Chamber Board     Dear Chamber Members, On August 27, 2026 the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to oppose Measure D on the November 2026 General Election ballot. Before voting, the Board heard directly from representatives of both the Yes on Measure D and No on Measure D campaigns, and we are grateful to both for making their case to us in good faith. This was a difficult decision. We fully recognize and respect that some Chamber members support Measure D because they see it as the only available mechanism to stop the City from moving forward with development plans on our Downtown Parking Plazas. That concern is legitimate, and we take it seriously. In reaching our position, the Board was informed by the City's Elections Code Section 9212 impact analysis, prepared by City staff with Metropolitan Planning Group and Bay Area Economics, and committees on Measure D. The findings most directly relevant to our members concern the downtown business environment. The report cites a 2024 parking study finding that existing public parking supply substantially exceeds demand under current conditions, and concludes that trading some parking supply for additional downtown residents, who tend to shop and spend near where they live, would likely benefit the downtown business environment. It finds that by making residential development more difficult, Measure D would negatively affect local businesses. The report further concludes that passage is likely to have a negative net fiscal impact on the City's General Fund, which supports the public works, safety, and downtown maintenance our members rely on. It also finds that the measure could delay or prevent the City from developing additional parking in the plazas by constraining its ability to evaluate configurations such as structured parking that would increase total spaces on the same footprint. The report identifies further risks beyond the business impacts. It finds that Measure D could potentially limit new downtown development by adding constraints on the City-owned plazas, and that it could complicate the City's ability to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation obligations, with reduced planning flexibility particularly in the upcoming 7th Cycle beginning in 2031. It notes that key terms in the measure, including the availability, access, and convenience of parking, are left undefined, creating ambiguity about when a public vote is triggered and increasing the likelihood of conflicting interpretations and legal disputes. It notes that if the measure passes and is subsequently challenged in court, the City would bear the cost of defending it and could be required to indemnify the proponents, with a challenge possible from the State, from residents, or from an advocacy group. Because regulations adopted by ballot can generally be changed only by another ballot measure, these constraints would be difficult to revisit. In fairness to members who support Measure D, the report does not find that the measure blocks the City's housing programs outright. It notes the measure permits affordable housing on Parking Plazas 7 and 8 without a vote, and preserves maintenance, repair, and community uses such as the Farmers' Market. Our concern is with the cumulative constraints and procedural uncertainty the measure would introduce. For additional details, please consult the City of Los Altos Measure D information portal, read the full Elections Code Section 9212 impact analysis, watch the City Manager's Q&A presentation with the Los Altos Community Coalition, review the Yes on Measure D campaign at For Los Altos, or review the No on Measure D Coalition. We encourage you to attend the 2026 Measure D Forum organized by the Los Altos Community Coalition and sponsored by twelve local civic groups, including the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. Both proponents and opponents have been invited. The forum will take place from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, at the Los Altos Community Center Grand Oak Room, with livestream available at YOUTUBE LIVE. The Chamber's co-sponsorship of this forum is independent of the Board's position, and the Chamber will not use the forum to advocate. The Chamber will also host a LET'S TALK gathering for Measure D discussion on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:00 p.m. at Linden Tree Books, 265 State Street. Members are encouraged to attend.  This position represents the Board acting on behalf of the organization. It does not bind any member. Members remain free to advocate for or against Measure D in their own names and businesses. If you have questions, please contact Kim Mosley, President & CEO, at kim@losaltoschamber.org. As your business advocate, the Chamber remains committed to fostering a vibrant, adaptable, and prosperous downtown core. We encourage all members to review the available facts and make an informed decision for the future of Los Altos. Sincerely, The Board of Directors, Los Altos Chamber of Commerce board@losaltoschamber.org Dr. Jeannice Fairrer Samani, Co-Chair of the Board; Pranav Jyoti, Co-Chair of the Board Alicia Nuzzo, Treasurer, Steve Chu, Amrit Dhillon, Lisa Fields, Flo Grosskurth, Sandra McGonagle Maria Sanchez, Jaron Ship, Marc Sidel, Pavel Sirotin, Lars Smith, Nick T. Tinch, Tom Vertin, Kim Wilson-Heintzen Kim Mosley President & CEO  Los Altos Chamber of Commerce  Los Altos Chamber of Commerce | 321 University Avenue | Los Altos, CA 94022 US