When our sample ballots arrive later this month, San Mateo city voters will find Measure P at the very end. Why should voters want to vote yes on P? What is it, anyway?
Measure P is the extension of Measure H. If you lived in San Mateo in 1991, you probably still remember that hard-fought election. Newer residents need a little history to appreciate why a 1991 measure is so important this November.
Measure H grew out of a grass-roots effort to protect San Mateo's suburban character and to define its future. After a successful petition drive, Measure H was overwhelmingly passed in November 1991.
Measure H language became a central part of our General Plan, the development "rules" for our city. The best known of Measure H's protections are a reasonable height limit (55 feet) and a generous density limit (50 units per acre). Another provision allows flexible development intensity in designated parts of town, when it meets our community's needs. Measure H encourages preservation of key areas of our historic downtown. And it requires the predictable creation of affordable housing in new multi-family developments.
Most important, Measure H keeps control over its protections in our hands. Its wording in the General Plan can be changed only by the vote of the people.
Development allowed by Measure H is generous for a suburban community. Even with all the redevelopment of the '90s, we are still not close to "buildout." Many opportunities for continued economic growth remain.
Measure H has been very positive for San Mateo. It balances reasonable growth, economic vitality and protection of our desirable suburban character. That balancing act has worked so well that even opponents of the original Measure H now support Measure P!
As passed in 1991, Measure H expires in 2005. After extensive public input, the City Council acknowledged strong public support for continuing its benefits through the year 2020. It voted to put a renewing measure on the November ballot so that we can all help decide San Mateo's future.
Measure P extends all of Measure H's key protections. It continues the height and density limits, requires affordable housing, allows the same flexible "public benefit" areas and keeps the requirement that the people vote on any changes.
Measure P updates language and clarifies rezoning issues, not originally spelled out. It adds five feet to the height limit for the retail core of Hillsdale Shopping Center, to match the existing 60-foot height at Nordstrom. Recognizing that affordable housing continues to be a pressing need, Measure P adds wording to support future City Council action to expand and improve San Mateo's programs.
All five members of the City Council say "Vote Yes on P." Neighborhood groups, including Baywood, Beresford/Hillsdale, Central, Home Association of North Central, 19th Avenue Park, Shoreview Parkside and United Homeowners all endorse Measure P. And support grows day by day.
Remember, old Measure H is new Measure P. Continue the legacy by voting Yes on P. You'll be helping to protect San Mateo's future and keeping our city the place we all want to live.
Karen Herrel is a member of San Mateans for Responsive Government, the original proponents of Measure H, and a former planning commissioner for the city of San Mateo.
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