KNOW YOUR OPTIONS THIS NOVEMBER

We all know this November’s election has a lot riding on it, from the top of the ballot on down. One item in particular, Measure T, promises to have a huge impact on the future of our city. It’s important for residents to know their options, and as your future representative on the San Mateo City Council, I want to make sure eastside residents have the fact-based information they need to make informed decisions.  Below, you’ll find an overview of what voting FOR or AGAINST Measure T does to our community.

What a vote FOR Measure T means for our community:

• If Measure T passes, height and density allowances for residential buildings in ten (10) specific zones across the City of San Mateo will be increased to accelerate the development of low- and medium-income housing to meet State of California mandates.

• Together, these ten (10) zones cover approximately 20% of the City of San Mateo and are concentrated in downtown San Mateo, along the El Camino corridor, at train stations, and areas that are already zoned for higher density housing or commercial use. 

• Per the maps (below), only one (1) of these zones is located entirely on the eastside of San Mateo, and small portions of three (3) zones are partially located on the eastside of San Mateo. Areas on the eastside of San Mateo that are potentially impacted by Measure T include: Bridgepoint, Chavez Market, Marina Plaza and Parkside Plaza.

• Existing height and density allowances for residential buildings outside of the ten (10) zones (i.e., the remainder of the City of San Mateo) are NOT changed, including zoning for “R1” residential neighborhoods that are primarily composed of single-family homes.

What a vote AGAINST Measure T means for our community:

• If Measure T does not pass, existing height and density allowances for residential buildings across the City of San Mateo will remain unchanged. Existing rules went into effect under Measure Y, which was passed by residents in 2020.

• If Measure T does not pass,  the San Mateo City Council could be required by the State of California to identify and/or develop 1,700 additional housing units within six months across the entire City of San Mateo.

• The need to implement a “back-up” development plan means the San Mateo City Council may need to approve rezoning “R1” residential neighborhoods that are primarily composed of single-family homes. These neighborhoods may include eastside communities like Lakeshore, Los Prados, North Shoreview, Parkside, and Shoreview, among others. 

Personally, Measure T strikes me as a balanced approach that brings much needed low- and medium-income housing to the City of San Mateo while protecting the overall integrity of how our city is structured today.  

I want to make sure I understand how residents on the eastside of San Mateo feel. Please reach out to me at danielleforsanmateo@gmail.com to share your perspective so I can champion your views.