Editor,
There is a movement afoot in San Mateo to have Baywood designated an historic district. While this sounds prestigious on its face, there are many adverse hidden consequences. An alliance has been formed to push this designation on homeowners. Individual property owners do not get a vote and this agenda is being pushed by an organization of eight people, six of whom reside outside of Baywood. At its core it’s an overreach and adds more restrictions to an already highly regulated area.
Homes in historic districts can be harder to sell, and can cause a drop in property values due to the limitations posed. Trying to get permission to upgrade or improve any property with this designation would require many additional steps and may be denied based on the personal preferences of an oversight committee.
I lived in a very nice and highly desirable area of Sacramento (like Baywood) with older homes. Over time, some of those have been completely rebuilt or remodeled. Sure, this has changed the original look of the neighborhood somewhat, but the newer homes look nice too and have actually increased the value of all of the homes in the area. If people remodel their homes in Baywood to suit their personal needs, it’s not going to drag the area down. However, forcing a historic district designation might.
Trying to take away choice from an entire neighborhood is not only wrong, but it’s also causing friction, anxiety and anger in the community.
Tracy Volponi
San Mateo
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(5) comments
I really dont know where to start here - because I get this sinking feeling that your LTE is all selective outrage - and you do not keep this energy when it comes to all things regarding your fellow citizens freedom of choice. I would venture to guess you were somebody yelling for everyone to get COVID vaccines and wear masks. If you want to stand on this soapbox - I hope you keep that same freedom of choice energy when it comes to all facets of our shared reality.
"An alliance has been formed to push this designation on homeowners. Individual property owners do not get a vote and this agenda is being pushed by an organization of eight people, six of whom reside outside of Baywood."
This kinda sounds like how our cities - our state- and our country is being run - bureaucratically - without the vested interest and input of the people. Folks we have not even elected are making decisions that trump the decisions of our elected officials. No pun intended of course. This is what we are seeing in Maui right now. The fact that Lahaina was declared a historic district was the only thing that was saving the native Hawaiians from predatory land grabs and restricting their access to water and other utilities. TBH you sound like you work in real estate or at least being a marketing shill for real estate agents - because you dont sound all that intelligent. Which would explain your bait and switch techniques.
Your note makes no sense to me so I can't reply to it intelligently, but I can reply to things you "think you know about me." I was never in real estate and I was never a fan of forcing COVID vaccines, masks and the shut downs. If you truly read my LTE you should have been able to glean that I don't believe in telling other people what to do or how to think. Thank you for taking the time to read it though. Glad someone did.
And your LTE makes no sense to anybody else. So good talk.
Tracy, Thank you for your thoughtful and informative letter. I share your concerns regarding what looks like bureaucratically condoned overreach for control of other peoples homes. The fact that this is being driven by a few individuals in the city and would potentially impact thousands is outrageous. Regarding the unintelligible attempt at manipulative and discouraging comments that came from LittleFoot, I believe it may be possible that it is afflicted with LittleBrain!
Rick - Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I am glad that a person of your stature really understands the issues and ramifications.
Welcome to the discussion.
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