How great to hear about new and expanded gardening options in Mountain View. I look forward to seeing added locations come online!

So the City is telling me to cut back on water, limit my watering to 2 days per week, and potentially force my lawn to go brown. OK.

But then I disagree with the City spending $500K+ to create a brand new (and completely discretionary) location where incremental water will be used. That does not feel OK.

I'd also like to know how much the City (beyond start-up costs) is spending to subsidize these gardens. That would not be my choice of how to spend public funds. (Unless perhaps if 100% of planting is for vegetables donated to CSA?)

I am told to cut back on water for my own raised bed gardens in my back yard only to find out that my tax dollars are going to support something I cannot do on my own anymore? Local government gone mad! I guess the drought restrictions don't count for governments.

As a renter of an upstairs apartment with all shade, I can't even grow vegetables in containers. I have NO access to a yard or garden, and I would love ANY kind of opportunity to grow my own food, however modest. I am excited about this move to offer renters some of the same advantages as homeowners, however modest. But it would be good to teach plot gardeners how to water! I've observed some of them spraying the plants from on high, rather than near the roots, and half the water used merely goes into the air. So please educate the new gardeners on watering efficiency!

@Phil and drought
There is nothing wrong with keeping your vegetable garden watered. You might even want to install a drip system as that waters well and uses far less water.
We need more vegetable gardens to help us live away from a grocery store.

If you live in an HOA there must be some area on the property that you could use. Campaign the Board. I did and got permission to remove a 40' x 10' strip of ivy that was being watered. Together with five other owners we are now growing tomatoes, zucchini, rhubarb, green beans peppers, basil, cilantro etc. etc. and using the same amount of water that was watering the patch of ivy. Our HOA understands how valuable it is to be able to grow your own food and have since planted a Washington Navel Orange tree, four Meyer Lemon trees, a Eureka Lemon Tree, a Bearrs Lime tree, a Kefir Lime tree, a Persimmon tree, two Cherry trees, and a Plum tree. Free fruit picking for our 28 condo owners is a nice treat.
Even if you live in an apartment building there must be at least a tiny plot that you could make into a garden. Renters and those living in HOA's should campaign the owners and Board of Directors to allow you to have your own Community Garden to tend, instead of being on a waiting list for 10 years waiting for a City plot!
Good Luck!

Caltrain should allow for planting along side the tracks as they do in Germany where every bit of land is used.