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Writer's pictureLisa Nash

Important Land Use Measure On Nov. 5th Ballot

Your City Council voted 5-0 to place a measure on our November ballot asking voters to approve changes to existing height, density and building intensity limits for residential and mixed-use buildings along El Camino Real, near our train stations, and Hillsdale and Bridgepointe Shopping Centers.  The goal is to provide affordable housing for all income levels, support a thriving downtown and meet state-mandated housing requirements. The measure would maintain existing heights, densities and building intensities in all other parts of the city, including single family neighborhoods.


Community outreach shows that San Mateans prefer potential growth near where people already live, as well as near transit, to make our downtown areas more vibrant, enable more affordable housing, protect our environment and preserve open space.  City Council and City staff used this feedback to develop our recently approved General Plan 2040.  Voter approval of the November 5th ballot initiative is needed to implement the land use aspects of the General Plan.  


Voter approval also would help meet a California State mandate that San Mateo zone for 7,015 new housing units of various levels of affordability (plus a large buffer) by 2031.  While the City could accommodate the 7,015 units under existing Measure Y heights and density limits, modifying these limits would help with the additional required buffer units at various affordability levels.  


If the ballot measure is approved, the City will be able to update its zoning code in these “transit-oriented corridor” areas and meet State requirements.  Existing Measure Y limits will be maintained in all other parts of San Mateo.  If the measure does not pass, the City may be required to rezone single family neighborhoods in many parts of San Mateo to enable up to 1,700 additional housing units to accommodate the State-mandated levels of potential housing at various affordability levels.


It is important that you educate yourself about this critical ballot initiative as the outcome will decide how our city grows and prospers over the next 20 years.  Please reach out to me with your thoughts on this important issue.  I also am available to meet with neighborhood and other groups and individuals.  


There will be many important items on the ballot this November 5th.  Nevertheless, I hope San Mateo’s land use ballot measure remains top-of-mind for you so we can, together, build a better San Mateo!

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You mention that if the measure does not pass that the city may be required to rezone single family neighborhoods, however if this measure does not pass Measure Y governs the height (32’) and density (~1du/5,000sf) in single family home neighborhoods. Measure Y would essentially prohibit rezoning in nearly all neighborhoods. Secondly, any contribution to RHNA requirements would be minimal and at market rate, where we don’t need a buffer. I believe voters need know this.

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