John Ebneter in his guest perspective, “Measure Y means new zoning opportunities” in the Dec. 17 edition of the Daily Journal, presents a two-edge sword. He tells us that the citizens who voted yes on “Y” are akin to promoting housing inequality and an unjust system of oppression, by maintaining height limits in our community. Mr. Ebneter seems to very disingenuous, by promoting construction of more high rises, he may have an ulterior motive being an executive project manager of a 4,000-person construction company.
San Mateo in the past few years has been plagued with increased traffic congestion and it can only get worse with additional high rises. The deceptive campaign for “No” on Measure Y suggested more housing for our “Heroes,” first responders, teachers etc., sounded great, but there’s no evidence that ever occurred since their previous advertising campaign. The new high-rise construction at the Kmart location, as an example, has rentals that range from $3,000 to $5,000 per month, hardly available to low-income families
The state’s growth rate is at a record low as more people are leaving the state. They are concerned about the high rate of taxation, regulations that damper economic growth and the high cost of living. Large corporations like Oracle and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise are moving, taking thousands of jobs and their high wages to Texas. Our City Council should be sensitive to our community who wanted to retain the feeling and atmosphere of a small city. They wanted to push their large high-rise agenda, dotting our skyline like Redwood City, allowing for increased growth and placing a larger burden on community services. They may want to ask the 51% that voted for yes on Measure Y if they would be OK with that.
Step back and look at the timing and why there is increased automotive congestion...
Notice that, that congestion is worse during ‘commute’ hours. Morning and evening.
Then consider why mainly during those hours?
‘They’ are leaving their bedroom communities (mostly in the East Bay side and driving over the 92 bridge) to go to work ‘here’. Reverse that during the evening...leaving their jobs ‘here’ to go back “home” to their bedroom communities
Many asked me to stick up for that thought by demanding these corporations move over there...
First, wonder how in the world they think one person could convince multi-billion buck per year in revenue corporations to do that...one two were founders of P & Y...
These corporations are on the West Bay because of ‘Silicon Valley’ and now social media & Bio-Tech HQ’s being here on the Peninsula. Ask why these people think they would move over there?
Yes, the ability to work from home has many not commuting and before the Pandemic, there were satellite offices all over the SF BayArea...country...world...but they are NOT HQ’s...though some legacy corporations have recently announced their move out of the area.
The center of innovation has been and will continue to centered here on the West Bay. Not an absolute, but the vast majority.
Good luck convincing Google, Facebook, Genentech, Gilead, etc to move their HQ’s over to the East Bay...
Excellent letter Juan. Look for the regular culprits to attack you personally instead of the well thought out argument you made against Mr. Ebneter and his ilk.
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(4) comments
Step back and look at the timing and why there is increased automotive congestion...
Notice that, that congestion is worse during ‘commute’ hours. Morning and evening.
Then consider why mainly during those hours?
‘They’ are leaving their bedroom communities (mostly in the East Bay side and driving over the 92 bridge) to go to work ‘here’. Reverse that during the evening...leaving their jobs ‘here’ to go back “home” to their bedroom communities
What if their ‘bedrooms’ were over here?
What if their “work” is where their “bedrooms” are? Win-win?
Many asked me to stick up for that thought by demanding these corporations move over there...
First, wonder how in the world they think one person could convince multi-billion buck per year in revenue corporations to do that...one two were founders of P & Y...
These corporations are on the West Bay because of ‘Silicon Valley’ and now social media & Bio-Tech HQ’s being here on the Peninsula. Ask why these people think they would move over there?
Yes, the ability to work from home has many not commuting and before the Pandemic, there were satellite offices all over the SF BayArea...country...world...but they are NOT HQ’s...though some legacy corporations have recently announced their move out of the area.
The center of innovation has been and will continue to centered here on the West Bay. Not an absolute, but the vast majority.
Good luck convincing Google, Facebook, Genentech, Gilead, etc to move their HQ’s over to the East Bay...
Excellent letter Juan. Look for the regular culprits to attack you personally instead of the well thought out argument you made against Mr. Ebneter and his ilk.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.