Oct 15

Builders Remedy: What is it and why should you care as it relates to Measure T?

The Builder’s Remedy, while offering a way to circumvent local zoning laws, is often seen as a heavy-handed solution that leaves cities with little say over how development occurs. In contrast, Measure T provides a more balanced, community-driven approach to addressing housing needs in San Mateo without the disruption that could come from invoking the Builder’s Remedy.

Benefits of Voting Yes on Measure T to Prevent Builders Remedy

Measure T allows San Mateo to retain Local Control over Development and not trigger Builders Remedy

Voting yes on Measure T ensures that the City of San Mateo maintains control over housing development rather than ceding it to the state or developers. The Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass local zoning regulations, which could lead to projects that are not aligned with the community’s long-term vision for growth, infrastructure, or sustainability. By passing Measure T, the city can maintain a plan that accounts for local conditions and ensures responsible, community-centered development.

Guaranteed Affordable Housing

One of the key components of Measure T is the continuation of San Mateo’s affordable housing requirement. Under this measure, 15% of new housing developments must include affordable units, ensuring that working families, teachers, healthcare workers, and others who contribute to the local economy can afford to live in the city. The Builder’s Remedy does encourage affordable housing by requiring at least 20% of units to be affordable in certain projects, but it lacks the comprehensive planning that a city-led measure like Measure T offers. Measure T provides a more consistent, long-term strategy for incorporating affordable housing into San Mateo’s development pipeline.

Thoughtful Growth Aligned with Infrastructure

One of the risks of the Builder’s Remedy is that it can lead to developments that outstrip local infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and watersystems, because local zoning requirements are set aside. Measure T, on the other hand, allows the city to plan for growth in a way that aligns with existing and future infrastructure capacity. This means that new developments under Measure T will consider how best to integrate housing with transportation, schools, and other community resources.

Preventing Overdevelopment and Preserving Community Character

Invoking the Builder’s Remedy can result in large, dense developments that clash with the character of local neighborhoods. Measure T, in contrast, gives the city the ability to manage density, building height, and other factors that influence the look and feel of the community. A vote for Measure T is a vote to maintain San Mateo’s identity while still making room for growth and housing diversity.

Avoiding Costly Legal Battles and Unplanned Projects

Cities that resist the Builder’s Remedy often find themselves embroiled in legal disputes with developers, which can be expensive and time-consuming. By ensuring that San Mateo’s housing element is in compliance with state law through Measure T, the city can avoid these legal confrontations and focus on approving projects that benefit the community. Measure T offers a proactive solution to housing development, reducing the likelihood of developers forcing unplanned projects onto the city under the Builder’s Remedy.

Responsive Government and Community Engagement

Measure T reflects a process where local government and residents have had a say in shaping the future of the city. Voting yes ensures that the city remains responsive to the needs of its residents, rather than ceding control to state mandates or external developers. The planning and policies behind Measure T have been crafted with input from the community, ensuring that the housing solutions it offers are fair, balanced, and suited to San Mateo’s unique needs.

While the Builder’s Remedy provides an avenue for housing development, it often bypasses the thoughtful planning that communities need to grow sustainably. Voting yes on Measure T allows San Mateo to meet its housing requirements while preserving local control, ensuring affordable housing, and preventing overdevelopment. It offers a balanced solution that prioritizes the needs of the community, avoids legal battles, and ensures that new developments are integrated thoughtfully into the city’s infrastructure and character. Measure T is a proactive approach to housing that benefits everyone in the city, without the risks associated with the Builder’s Remedy.