Editorial: Yes on Measure N

As the city is also enjoying the recent completion of its new downtown Caltrain station and grade separation project, there is interest in development that would bring new customers downtown and provide a more solid business base for the city and its current merchants. For many of these proposals to pencil out, however, there needs to be changes to ordinance 1284, and Measure N, on the November ballot, would do just that.

While there is much talk about transit-oriented development as the cure-all for cities’ traffic and housing woes, the proof is in the development itself. It can be done well, and it can be done poorly. Measure N would not immediately give the green light to untrammeled development in the city’s downtown area, but rather provide an ability for the city to consider, the key word here being consider, developments with above-ground parking and at heights that would allow for the property owner and developer to make them work financially.

One specific area right next to the new Caltrain station will be allowed to have heights of up to 90 feet, but other areas are more modest — with heights of 70 feet on stretches of El Camino Real south of Interstate 380 and portions of San Bruno Avenue west of El Camino, while much of San Bruno Avenue east of El Camino Real could have heights of up to 65 feet. The Central Business District of San Mateo Avenue would be limited to heights of 55 feet, just 5 feet higher than current limits.

There is always concern about the impact of new development on the current environment, whether it be traffic or business owners. All will be studied thoroughly in any specific new proposal and, in fact, there will be an opportunity for the public to weigh in before an application is even submitted. San Mateo Avenue itself has long needed some aesthetic assistance though it is diverse and interesting as a neighborhood and city-serving retail area. If there is more interest in the area, that can only increase foot traffic and take care of some of the vacancies that line the street. Successful businesses will have the opportunity to become more successful. Change can be difficult for some, but there is also a great opportunity in this area to provide housing, jobs and city revenue while also improving the area for the city and its future.