Committee forging ahead on vision for San Mateo’s future

In December, the subcommittee reviewed a draft vision statement outlining goals such as the provision of a range of housing types, safe and efficient transportation options and support of parks, public art and sustainability initiatives. But after residents and officials voiced concerns about how well the previous draft captured residents’ thoughts about the city’s future growth and how its desirable qualities would be maintained, city staff worked with PlaceWorks, the firm contracted to guide the planning process, to revise the draft statement with the goal of writing a more succinct vision statement and outline a set of city values stemming from community feedback.

The subcommittee’s meeting also came after the City Council in January opted to extend the timeline for the yearslong planning process in response to concerns residents raised about the process feeling rushed, which many felt would prevent the process from fostering an inclusive conversation. Comprised of two councilmembers, two planning commissioners, two members of the city’s Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission and one member of the Park and Recreation Commission, the subcommittee was formed to provide input and assist in engaging community members as they form a vision for what the city could look like in 20 years.

Councilman Eric Rodriguez joined other subcommittee members in welcoming the new draft statement, noting the vision and values — which included diversity, balance, inclusivity, prosperity and resiliency — resonated with much of the feedback offered previously. Though he acknowledged the challenge of getting a draft vision statement right the first time, he said it’s even harder to admit the need to change course after the first attempt.

“It hit the mark,” he said. “I think we’re definitely on the right course now.”

Vision statement

In offering feedback and possible edits to the draft vision statement set to go before the Planning Commission March 12 for review and then to the City Council April 1, subcommittee members and residents weighed whether references to the community’s health, education or recreation as well as its commitment to the preservation of history, cultural arts and open space should be included in the vision statement and city values.

The subcommittee largely agreed preservation of history and open space and the city’s challenge with the jobs/housing imbalance could be addressed in future discussions about the more specific goals the General Plan could address through policies. But subcommittee members opted to add recreation to the city’s prosperity value, which outlined the cultivation of a diverse and thriving economy with different types of homes, jobs and services.

They also asked Joanna Jansen, a principal with PlaceWorks, to work with city staff to explore how education could be incorporated into the statement. Though some felt education or learning could be considered a city value, others wondered whether the concept should be included in the city vision or would better fit in another part of the General Plan since elected school boards are responsible for local education.

Growth

Several residents stepped forward with concerns about past, current and future growth of housing and office developments in the city, with some urging for officials to consider how new developments affect infrastructure and traffic congestion in the city and others urging for more housing to address the shortage of homes available to those who work in the city.

Lifelong San Mateo resident Rick Karr underscored the challenge of increased traffic congestion during commute hours, which he attributed in part to large developments that have taken shape in the city recently. He pegged the transportation options available to residents and city workers as a focus as officials and residents shape an updated General Plan, noting trains stopping more frequently at the city’s train stations and the extension of boat and public transportation travel across the Bay could be among the strategies for addressing the problem.

“We have a problem with too many people in the city now,” he said. “There is only one solution, which is transportation in and out of the community.”

Sustainability

Adam Nugent, president of the Home Association of North Central San Mateo, was among those who hoped the General Plan update would offer an opportunity for the city to take on sustainable initiatives allowing residents to cut down on their use of fossil fuels. He looked to the process to include conversations about the future lifestyles of residents and how the city could build on its current infrastructure to be more sustainable.

“You can have a very, very good lifestyle while also accommodating a lot more people in a very sustainable fashion,” he said.

Feedback, community engagement

City planner Julia Klein noted the vision statement won’t be final until the General Plan is adopted and added residents will have several other opportunities to offer feedback on the statement through public meetings or by email, among other options. Subcommittee members also discussed expanding outreach about the General Plan update process to organizations offering services to the community, school communities as well as community organizations and nonprofits that can reach different age groups and interests, among others. They also discussed putting up posters spreading the word about future meetings, holding subcommittee meetings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to give people more time to attend them after work and strategies for helping residents understand the importance of the planning process.

Though she acknowledged the General Plan subcommittee, the Planning Commission and the City Council will be weighing in on different phases of the process, Klein emphasized the importance of community engagement in the General Plan update.

“It really necessitates community members being involved and participating in this process,” she said.

Submit comments on the city’s General Plan update at generalplan@cityofsanmateo.org and visit strivesanmateo.org for more information.

anna@smdailyjournal.com

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