Showers this morning becoming a steady light rain during the afternoon hours. High around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..
Tonight
A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Most leading social scientists have determined that housing inequality in the United States, based on racial lines, has led to a host of social and economic disparities that must be addressed to solve our centuries-old segregation problems. The scientists maintain that until we promote and learn to live together, with our shared experiences and differences, our country will habitually be burdened with the tremendous waste of resources and lives required to facilitate, expand and promote an unjust system of oppression.
Starting with slavery and the elimination of native people, through the 20th century exclusionary housing practices, with today’s mass incarceration, the ruling class has devised an ever-damning view of and policies toward those of color to ensure wealth and status are kept in the dominant race’s hands.
As is the norm in all societies, change must start at the local level. In San Mateo, the status quo has been played out politically once again at the ballot box. The passage of another exclusionary ballot measure, in this case Y, to restrict building heights and densities is a clear message we are not willing to accept the fact that our area boasts the highest rate of wage and wealth inequalities in the country, and that thousands of our city’s residents suffer daily because of this through overpriced and inadequate housing options. Measure Y not only exasperates these disparities, it also legitimizes them through the cloak of voter approval.
Typically, the more we resist change, the faster it will come whether we are prepared for it or not. The passage of Measure Y has restricted the ability to build new homes in areas that are within walking distance of essential services and recreation.
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The state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment, known as RHNA, is a mechanism that requires each city in California to zone enough usable land to meet its fair share of housing. The new RHNA number for San Mateo is 6,700 units.
To avoid having the state sue and take over all land use decisions, the city must zone enough land to build those 6,700 units. With very little available land, coupled with the restrictive height and density provisions of Measure Y, the most viable option is to rezone R-1 neighborhoods to allow multi-family developments there.
The R-1 neighborhoods will most likely first experience the introduction of duplex and four-plex units, that will need to meet strict architectural guidelines, to seamlessly fit the existing architecture styles. Accessory Dwelling Units may fill some to the housing needs yet will only meet a small portion of the requirements. Depending on the success of these programs, it will be determined if more robust changes such as multifamily units will need to be built in the R-1 areas to meet the RHNA allotments.
Measure Y has substantially moved the needle in opening the whole city to a wide range of zoning adjustments that will alter our community in ways that advocates have lobbied for years. With the passage of Measure Y, the city is now one step closer to meeting its General Plan Vision Statement of a more just and equitable city for all.
John Ebneter is a lifelong Peninsula resident involved in local nonprofit entities primarily focused on social equity and environmental stewardship. He is a member of the San Mateo Planning Commission.
City of San Mateo Planning Commissioner John Ebneter is attempting to divide the community with fear and virtue signaling for profits of developers and builders. BTW he is part of the latter.
Spot on and is more than likely to happen, as that is the only recourse the city has.
Maybe another and that is with the state, which already has the ability to allow developments over the existing Measure P restrictions...and will also have the power to allow developments over Measure Y restrictions.,
Other changes that will most likely come because of Y, will be Tiny Apartments (Micro Apartments to east coast folks)
This will start when a developer purchases several adjacent R1 properties and potion planning to spot zone to higher density.
"...the ruling class has devised an ever-damning view of and policies toward those of color to ensure wealth and status are kept in the dominant race’s hands."
Who comprises the "ruling class"? My guess is whoever controls mass media. Usual suspects include Ivy League graduates, mainly WASPs. They keep everyone else fighting for leftovers. People of color and no color have more in common than they think.
One misconception about Y that I heard from a few people is that if it had failed, all height limits of all kinds in all parts of the city would have ceased to exist. That is incorrect. If Y had failed, height limits would have continued to exist as part of the zoning ordinance. Those limits would have been set by the planning commission and city council with much input through a public comment process. One of the main problems with Y is that there are no possible variances or exceptions, since the limits were adopted by ballot measure. For example, if a worthwhile project needs a height variance of let's say 2 feet, and the builder offers many worthwhile offsetting public benefits in exchange for that (very small) height variance, the city cannot grant that variance. The only possible "variance" from the Y height limits would need to come in the form of another city-wide ballot measure just for one specific project.
Great article John! I agree with everything you wrote! I'm not sure how Patrick thinks he's contributing by writing such a mean-spirited comment. He obviously does not understand how desperately we need more housing in San Mateo.
Mr. Ebneter, let me guess, you opposed Measure Y. I honestly believe you don't really understand why Measure Y was placed on the ballot and why it won. The success of Measure Y is that we don't have to take the advice of people like you. The people of San Mateo, not the city council, not the people in the planning commission will be making the decisions from here on. Your side lost Mr. Ebneter, so it is time for you to take this equitable housing nonsense and all the other racist diatribe you speak of and bring it to a city with gullible citizens. Measure Y means we certainly don't take our orders from either you or our city council, Elections have consequences, deal with it.
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(9) comments
City of San Mateo Planning Commissioner John Ebneter is attempting to divide the community with fear and virtue signaling for profits of developers and builders. BTW he is part of the latter.
Spot on and is more than likely to happen, as that is the only recourse the city has.
Maybe another and that is with the state, which already has the ability to allow developments over the existing Measure P restrictions...and will also have the power to allow developments over Measure Y restrictions.,
Other changes that will most likely come because of Y, will be Tiny Apartments (Micro Apartments to east coast folks)
This will start when a developer purchases several adjacent R1 properties and potion planning to spot zone to higher density.
Forced by Measure Y...
"...the ruling class has devised an ever-damning view of and policies toward those of color to ensure wealth and status are kept in the dominant race’s hands."
Who comprises the "ruling class"? My guess is whoever controls mass media. Usual suspects include Ivy League graduates, mainly WASPs. They keep everyone else fighting for leftovers. People of color and no color have more in common than they think.
One misconception about Y that I heard from a few people is that if it had failed, all height limits of all kinds in all parts of the city would have ceased to exist. That is incorrect. If Y had failed, height limits would have continued to exist as part of the zoning ordinance. Those limits would have been set by the planning commission and city council with much input through a public comment process. One of the main problems with Y is that there are no possible variances or exceptions, since the limits were adopted by ballot measure. For example, if a worthwhile project needs a height variance of let's say 2 feet, and the builder offers many worthwhile offsetting public benefits in exchange for that (very small) height variance, the city cannot grant that variance. The only possible "variance" from the Y height limits would need to come in the form of another city-wide ballot measure just for one specific project.
Great article John! I agree with everything you wrote! I'm not sure how Patrick thinks he's contributing by writing such a mean-spirited comment. He obviously does not understand how desperately we need more housing in San Mateo.
Great illuminating article explaining what has to be done to reduce inequity and increase inclusion.
Mr. Ebneter, let me guess, you opposed Measure Y. I honestly believe you don't really understand why Measure Y was placed on the ballot and why it won. The success of Measure Y is that we don't have to take the advice of people like you. The people of San Mateo, not the city council, not the people in the planning commission will be making the decisions from here on. Your side lost Mr. Ebneter, so it is time for you to take this equitable housing nonsense and all the other racist diatribe you speak of and bring it to a city with gullible citizens. Measure Y means we certainly don't take our orders from either you or our city council, Elections have consequences, deal with it.
Conway Chris, your venom reeks of you needing some physiological intervention. You are crying out in earnest for help.
JustMike--I thought CC was moving. And does he think he's fooling people by changing his name?
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