Editor,
With the election behind us and the choice of 78% of San Mateo County voters, Joe Biden, now occupying the White House, many of us concerned about the last four years of chaotic, incompetent governance at the federal level can turn our attention back to local matters.
On two of the most crucial issues facing our state — climate change and housing — two Northern California cities took decisive action in the last week to build a more equitable, sustainable future.
First, Sacramento became the first city in the state to eliminate single-family-only zoning, by an 8-0 vote. By eliminating density-based restrictions in their city code, they will soon allow duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes by-right everywhere, enabling these more affordable “missing middle” housing types to flourish without drastically altering the feel of existing neighborhoods.
Second, Berkeley voted on Tuesday night to eliminate parking minimums in virtually all of the city, laying the groundwork for new housing development to promote walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented lifestyles.
Eliminating exclusionary, low-density zoning and parking minimums are crucial steps for improving affordability and reducing carbon emissions here on the Peninsula. The inclusive, sustainable cities of the future will make it easy for residents to get out of their cars and live healthy, active lifestyles, while allowing a greater diversity of people to live in them. Progressive city councils on the Peninsula, like those in Redwood City, San Mateo, and now South San Francisco, would do well to study these examples to our north.
Mike Dunham
Burlingame
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(5) comments
Great piece Mike!
This is a sure-to-fail case of social engineering. What Mike does not understand is that folks in affordable housing, which are usually cramped, long for an opportunity to get out and about. They don't use public transportation if they can but buy a car. In my native Netherlands, where affordable housing is common, the streets are clogged with cars, all owned by the very folks who Mike wants to shove into such housing. Cars provide an opportunity to get out and provides for personal freedom, a concept that Henri Ford understood already and capitalized on in the early 1900s.
So basically, owners of single-family homes in Sacramento will see their home values increase and Berkeley streets will be filled with more parked cars. Nice… Now I’m going outside to enjoy climate change – I sure wish we’d get some global warming to heat up the area. It’s a bit cold and I don’t have enough natural insulation.
Mike, good luck with your push in Burlingame for more housing and climate change. Do us a favor and stay out of San Mateo, we don't want you here. We will not interfere with Burlingame and you stay out of San Mateo's decision making, it is none of your business. deal?
... business, deal?
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