Thank you for your excellent 4/28/26 editorial exposing the dangerous flaws in San Mateo’s proposed historic ordinance. However, none of your recommended actions are included in the latest draft ordinance to go in front of the City Council on Monday, May 4. Despite what city staff might have you believe, the structures listed in the 1989 survey will not be included in the Historic Resources Inventory (HRI). While they have been added to the definition of Historic Resources, they will be treated no differently than any other property. A careful reading of Section 27.66.090 (a) reveals that only a regular planning application review will be required for a major alteration/addition to eligible historic resources, such as 1989 survey properties. So while city staff asserts that review will be required for properties included on the 1989 historic survey, this review is no different than the process required for major alteration/additions to any home in San Mateo, and not subject to the Certificate of Appropriateness process required for properties on the HRI. So while on its face it looks like historic structures identified in the 1989 survey are included; in reality, they will not be afforded any additional protection. Don’t be fooled.
I urge residents to e-mail the City Council immediately. Ask them to implement the recommendations outlined in the editorial. “May the 4th” be with the almost 200 historic properties that give character to our neighborhoods and make our city so special.
Folks, don’t be fooled by the rhetoric around historic structures and the attempts to change the proposed historic ordinance. These folks want to create more red tape and make it more expensive for homeowners to make changes to their (yes, their) homes. Do you want someone else dictating what you can do to your home? Just because “they” think it is historic? Remember, just because something is old doesn’t make it historic.
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Folks, don’t be fooled by the rhetoric around historic structures and the attempts to change the proposed historic ordinance. These folks want to create more red tape and make it more expensive for homeowners to make changes to their (yes, their) homes. Do you want someone else dictating what you can do to your home? Just because “they” think it is historic? Remember, just because something is old doesn’t make it historic.
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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.