Measure P and Helsinki

Now it is 2018 and much has changed. An entire new era of mobility is upon us since the original Measure H was passed in 1991. We can’t say for sure what the immediate impact of autonomous vehicles will be for downtown and the need for parking but it will be very different from today. That is why I was disappointed that the Measure P proponents didn’t wait until 2020 to refine the measure to meet the needs of the next decade. Probably they wanted to move ahead early to seek some controls over an updated general plan now in process. But there is time for the council and proponents to reach a compromise: with the council putting the measure on the ballot and alleviating any judicial review; and with the agreement of the proponents to make a few changes so that dueling initiatives will not be necessary. The council is considering a counter measure to boost height and density near the transit stations beyond what Measure P allows.

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Let’s keep the Measure P height limits near the train stations but allow increased density. Here are some things to consider: Many young professionals and workers today use transit and don’t own cars. It’s cheaper. When they need a ride they use Lyft or Uber, services which may become much cheaper when the cars are self-driving. Many including teachers, especially potential new hires, who cannot afford rents here, would not mind exchanging a more affordable rent for less space, especially if they don’t have large families. Providing parking is a big cost for any developer. The money saved by limiting the amount of parking could make units more affordable because an increase in allowable density would mean more units could be built.

Also consider that in the new world of self-driving vehicles (you may not use one but the younger generation will) the need for parking will substantially decrease. That may make more land available for development but the council needs to make sure that new space is well used, in fact maybe adding some additional open space downtown. A growing trend is to separate the cost of a unit and the cost of a parking place. Again, that would save money for some renters who either don’t own a car or are willing to give up a parking spot in the building’s garage.

Hopefully, the council and the community will take the long view, be flexible about some of the restrictions set up almost 30 years ago, and agree on a common initiative. After Measure H passed, there was much bitterness in the community between those who supported it and those who opposed it. It took a while to heal those wounds, for the neighborhood associations and the Chamber of Commerce to work together on common goals. It would be sad to see a repeat of those days. Let’s have one initiative which continues the good work of Measure H while at the same time allowing an increase in growth adjacent to transit centers.

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Pundits are trying to figure out why Trump submitted to Putin’s dominance at their meeting in Helsinki. Putin arrived an hour late, even though it’s just a ferry ride from Russia to Finland. Almost all agree on both sides of the aisle that it was an embarrassing display and made the United States look weak. My take on Trump’s behavior, and he is no fool, is that he acted deliberately despite admonitions from his advisors, because he wants Putin to help him win another election in 2020. Some say what he did was treasonous. I say it was clever. He will need all the help he can get.

Sue Lempert is the former mayor of San Mateo. Her column runs every Monday. She can be reached at sue@smdailyjournal.com.