It's Time to Thank Measure Y for Slowing Housing Development in San Mateo and Focus on Smart Growth with Measure T
Measure Y has done its job. It slowed development, gave us a moment to breathe, and protected San Mateo’s character. It addressed a very real concern at the time: overdevelopment that could fundamentally change the fabric of our community. But now, we face a different challenge - a housing crisis that’s pricing out the very people who make San Mateo thrive. It’s time to recognize the role Measure Y played and move forward with Measure T.
We can’t ignore the growing gap between housing demand and affordability. It’s not just about families struggling to stay here, but about essential workers - teachers, healthcare providers, service employees - being forced to commute long distances just to work in our city. San Mateo is losing its people, and with them, the vibrancy that makes this city special.
Measure T is the solution we need to ensure smart growth while maintaining our community’s core values. By focusing new housing development near transit corridors, Measure T helps alleviate traffic and environmental stress while creating the affordable housing our workforce desperately needs. This isn’t unchecked growth - it’s thoughtful, targeted, and sustainable.
Measure T also embodies the principles of responsive government. It takes the concerns of residents seriously and offers a balanced solution that considers our infrastructure, environment, and economy. We’re not sacrificing our neighborhoods - we’re strengthening them.
Affordable housing near transit reduces commutes, keeps our workforce close, and ensures that local businesses continue to thrive.
San Mateo has always been about more than just buildings and streets. It’s about people - people who work hard, raise their families here, and contribute to the community. If we don’t address the housing crisis, we risk losing the diversity and energy that make San Mateo so special. Measure T offers a clear path forward, providing housing options for all income levels while preserving the city’s character.
Now is the time to thank Measure Y for protecting our community when we needed it and embrace Measure T to help us grow responsibly. We need to move forward in a way that balances growth with sustainability and inclusivity. Measure T is about ensuring that San Mateo remains a place where everyone has a chance to live, work, and build a future.
Let’s be proactive. Let’s be thoughtful. Let’s support Measure T.
Read Next: 10 Reasons to Vote Yes on Measure T
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