City propaganda and Measure Y

Under Measure Y, we meet our current housing requirements to 2031 (7,015 units). Our housing element says, “However, even within the confines of Measure Y, this housing element clearly demonstrates that the city’s existing zoning has capacity for over 10,000 housing units, which achieves its RHNA targets in each category with buffers.”

Measure Y expires in 2030 allowing the city to meet the state mandated housing requirements to 2040 (an additional 15,000 units). It will cost $250,000 to put this measure on the ballot.

Other major issues that were omitted or misstated in the flyer are: Developers are using state law to circumvent Measure Y, so the city does not have local control as claimed, the new measure will increase the height and densities of commercial buildings too, the flyer is subtitled as a “potential” measure, yet, recently the City Council committed to placing a measure to eliminate Measure Y on the November 2024 ballot. The City Council plans to adopt the ballot language on July 15, 2024. Lastly, the promise of no new taxes is debatable and other funding sources may be needed to accommodate the increase in housing development.

The lack of transparency and the selective focus of this flyer has served to undermine the trust of residents in our community. It is beyond discouraging, especially considering the importance of policy decisions at hand.

Lisa Maley

San Mateo