To demolish or not?

Are there so many businesses in need of space? What about all of the offices already sitting vacant in San Mateo?

Affordable housing is definitely needed, but to be affordable to low-income people, the rent needs to be no higher than $700. The so-called affordable housing built in Phase I runs $1,600 for a one-bedroom. Hmm. Perhaps the City Council doesn't really want low-income people living in San Mateo.

What will happen to the more than 700 people who will be unemployed when Bay Meadows is demolished? Can they afford to continue living in San Mateo? Unlikely. Now there's progress.

The council has been using scare tactics to gain support for the project. Tactics such as leading citizens to believe that Bay Meadows will turn into a gaming establishment of slot machines. If you're a voter in San Mateo, you already know that the push for slot machines was nixed by voters. Citizens don't want slot machines, so it won't happen.

And let's look at traffic congestion. With the additional retail shops, businesses and residents in that area, traffic will increase. Commute time will be a nightmare with parents driving kids to school, and employees arriving or departing from work. Not to mention the anticipated numbers of people shopping. The racetrack, however, is not open every day, and the people who go there tend to stay most of the day rather than driving in and out.

And let's not forget the environmental impact of developing a property. I can't fault the developers. That's what they do - develop. And they will keep on developing until there's no place left on earth to develop.

If citizens don't voice their opinions to the city council to stop this development project, Bay Meadows will be gone forever. Save the city's history, the environment, and the space from further development and write to your congresspeople before it's too late.

Diane Holcomb

Los Altos