More height does not equal more housing. Ask any of the endorsers or councilmembers to cite the affordable housing requirement in Measure T. I did and the councilmember was not able to substantiate the claim. Their assumption is that developers will provide more affordable housing with more height allowance. It’s a flawed assumption to make proponents appear favorable towards housing. In a neighborhood association presentation, the city confirmed it’s more costly to build taller buildings. This does not translate to more affordable housing. In Bohannon’s Reimagine Hillsdale presentation, the preferred plan is to build commercial offices all along El Camino Real, not housing.
In promotional mailers and online, the city and proponents claim “it is felt” that seniors “are being pushed out of the city because they can’t afford to stay.” Ask any of the endorsers or Council Members to substantiate the claim with data and cite how Measure T will directly address the issue. I did and the councilmember was unable to substantiate both claims.
Clearly, the existing voter approved Measure Y is the real proponent of mandated affordable housing. Measure T is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that strips away protections in Measure Y while appearing to support housing. More height will mean more profit for developers, not more affordable housing for the community. Vote no on T.
State funding to ensure creation of affordable housing would be the Carrot that is needed, to accompany the State's Stick mandating any type of mass housing.
Until that occurs, San Mateo residents need to maintain the continued affordable housing requirements included in our existing Measure Y.
Hello! I am one of the endorsers and signatories on Measure T and I am happy to explain San Mateo's existing affordable housing requirements (again).
San Mateo already has an affordable mandate, in place since the mid-90s and defined in the Below Market Rate Program. It requires at least 15% the units in projects with more than 10 units to be affordable.
More height = more units built = more affordable units built, since the city requires that 15% of units be affordable. Make sense?
I'm curious if the LTE author attended any of the Reimagine Hillsdale workshops? Every option presented included housing. This presentation linked on Reimagine Hilldale's website demonstrates how the current options all propose ~1,200,000 sqft of residential (900-1,200 homes). Start watching at 14:40
Seema, too bad you failed to closely read Doug North's LTE... Mr. North said "In a neighborhood association presentation, the city confirmed it’s more costly to build taller buildings." If it costs 10-20% more to build taller buildings, then that would add 10-20% cost to the buyer. Consequently there is NO additional affordable housing no matter how things are spun. Any high-rise building will have huge HOA dues and maintenance costs. Best to vote NO NO NO on Measure T
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(4) comments
2 NO votes on Measure T can be expected here.
State funding to ensure creation of affordable housing would be the Carrot that is needed, to accompany the State's Stick mandating any type of mass housing.
Until that occurs, San Mateo residents need to maintain the continued affordable housing requirements included in our existing Measure Y.
Measure T would eliminate Measure Y.
Hello! I am one of the endorsers and signatories on Measure T and I am happy to explain San Mateo's existing affordable housing requirements (again).
San Mateo already has an affordable mandate, in place since the mid-90s and defined in the Below Market Rate Program. It requires at least 15% the units in projects with more than 10 units to be affordable.
https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/3896/Developer-Resources
https://law.cityofsanmateo.org/us/ca/cities/san-mateo/code/27.16.050
More height = more units built = more affordable units built, since the city requires that 15% of units be affordable. Make sense?
I'm curious if the LTE author attended any of the Reimagine Hillsdale workshops? Every option presented included housing. This presentation linked on Reimagine Hilldale's website demonstrates how the current options all propose ~1,200,000 sqft of residential (900-1,200 homes). Start watching at 14:40
https://vimeo.com/806539434/5bbfc4a1a9
Seema, too bad you failed to closely read Doug North's LTE... Mr. North said "In a neighborhood association presentation, the city confirmed it’s more costly to build taller buildings." If it costs 10-20% more to build taller buildings, then that would add 10-20% cost to the buyer. Consequently there is NO additional affordable housing no matter how things are spun. Any high-rise building will have huge HOA dues and maintenance costs. Best to vote NO NO NO on Measure T
Thanks, Ms. Tam, for the insight into your actions for clarification of Measure T. Count me in as voting NO on T.
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