Measure Y has been a defining force in curbing development in San Mateo, providing the kind of slow growth our community fought for when faced with the threat of rapid urbanization. But as with anything, the needs of our city have evolved, and now, it’s time to build on what Measure Y accomplished and move forward with smart growth and Measure T.
Let’s acknowledge what Measure Y did for us: it protected our neighborhoods, kept heights and density in check, and allowed San Mateo to grow very slightly without altering the city's character. For those reasons, Measure Y was a success in the eyes of it's supporters. But what Measure Y didn’t fully address was the deepening housing crisis that we have no choice but to face today. While San Mateo was curbing growth, housing costs skyrocketed and commute times extended. Today, many families, teachers, healthcare workers, and service employees can no longer afford to live in this community that we all love. This is a problem we can’t ignore any longer.
Now, we’re faced with a choice: continue with limitations that are no longer solving today’s problems or take the next step forward with Measure T. Measure T leverages the principles of smart growth by focusing on development in specific zones in San Mateo that makes sense and planning responsibly while still protecting the neighborhoods that Measure Y sought to. The key difference is that Measure T adds in what we desperately need: more affordable housing.
By promoting development along transit corridors, Measure T addresses housing needs while also helping to reduce traffic and pollution. This isn’t just about adding more housing - it’s about smart growth that integrates housing, sustainability, and economic vitality in a way that works for everyone. The solution lies in thoughtful planning that balances the need for affordable housing with the character of the community we cherish.
What’s important to remember is that Measure T doesn’t undo what Measure Y achieved - it complements it and even retains land use and zoning for 75% of the buildable land throughout the City of San Mateo. Measure T is the proof that we can still protect our neighborhoods, ensure that development is focused in the right areas, and uphold our values as a city. But now, we have the opportunity to add real inventory of affordable housing into that framework, making sure that the people who work here can also live here. It’s about maintaining the character of San Mateo while making it more inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant.
San Mateo has long been known as a desirable place to live and work, but if we don’t address the affordability crisis, we risk losing the very people who make this city what it is. We need smart growth, but we also need growth that includes everyone. That’s what Measure T is about—keeping our community intact while preparing for a future that serves everyone.
It’s time to thank Measure Y for doing its job and embrace Measure T as the next phase of smart growth for San Mateo. We’ve paused and reflected - now let’s take action and move forward in a way that benefits all residents. Vote Yes on Measure T.
Read Next: 10 Reasons to Vote Yes on Measure T
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