Editor,
Families can be displaced by Measure T, but no one is talking about that. Look at the STRIVE San Mateo General Plan 2040 Study Areas map (https://strivesanmateo.org/general-plan-2040) then walk those areas and see who lives/works there. These are not empty lots. Developers/special interests, having poured in over $200,000 to pass Measure T, can raze homes and businesses and build commercial and mixed-use buildings in their place, which do not require residential units.
Measure Y provides for measured, sensible development right where it’s needed, downtown and along transit corridors. Unlike Measure T, Measure Y requires a minimum of 10% affordable units and with state density bonus laws, 11-story residential buildings can be built. Under Measure T, residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings could be built anywhere the City Council decides they should be, despite the claim that 75% of the city will remain under Measure Y protections. There will be no Measure Y protections as Measure T deliberately strikes out every single word of Measure Y.
Some have stated that only Measure T can create a “vibrant” San Mateo, as if there aren’t already enough people visiting businesses/restaurants/bars in the city. Vibrancy results from sensible development, livable and affordable neighborhoods, a diversity of businesses and balanced growth. When Measure Y sunsets in 2030, there will be new development opportunities in sites that won’t displace people, such as sprawling, outdated office complexes.
Don’t vote to displace families. Vote no on T.
Robin Gage
San Mateo
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(3) comments
When land is developed under any zoning policy, folks that were in that space before will experiene change, and change is hard. To say that Measure T displaces families is ridiculous when under Measure T, more housing will
be built than previously on 10% of the developable land in San Mateo (Measure Y governs 90%). San Mateo requires 15% of units in buildings 10+ units to be affordable, this has nothing to do with Measure Y. Measure Y caps height at 55 feet (about 5 stories) and it is the most restrictive zoning policy of major cities on the San Mateo peninsula.
Sorry, Macqueena, but Measure T is a flawed bait and switch measure. The most important fact is Measure T repeals Measure Y so whatever “protections” you cite under Measure Y are now taken away. If folks have voter remorse, they can change their vote in the future as I expect there will be future Measure T “clones” in the near and far future. Meanwhile, I’d recommend folks start voting out the folks who decided to put Measure T on the ballot. Measure T may create places to live at exactly where they want, wherever they want, and not the most convenient. Vote NO on Measure T.
Zoning exercises like Measure T do not mean all lots will be developed. That is why cities always zone for more than targeted numbers - because not every lot gets developed due to existing structures not having met their usable life, existing contractual agreements preventing development, land owners not wanting to sell or redevelop the land, and more. It is at this time speculation that residents will be displaced. As well, there are plenty of empty lots all around the city that would make for fine mixed use or residential projects. One of the benefits of Measure T is that it reasoned some of that empty and unused commercial space that we all see as eyesores everyday so they can be transformed into livable and usable space for residents.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
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.