The San Mateo Daily Journal Endorsement for Measure T!

This article was originally posted here. We are grateful to see this endorsement for Measure T, and are excited to continue engaging with the community and talking to more and more voters and business owners every day until the election.

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Yes on Measure T

The latest iteration of the city of San Mateo’s height limits passed in 2020 by less than 100 votes, revealing a split in the city on the measure that has been in place since 1991.

The original intent of the measure was to take back control from the city government and create new opportunities for affordable housing inside new developments through new inclusionary zoning requirements. That inclusionary zoning requirement is now both current law and current policy. It will not be reduced. The original Measure H was progressive in creating that inclusionary zoning but times have changed.

The city has gone through an extensive general plan process with hours upon hours of public meetings to come up with new zoning that would allow the city to grow and also meet new and aggressive state requirements for new housing. It is through that plan that Measure T was born. While it has a similar footprint to the failed Measure R, which would have carved out higher heights near transit, this measure was city-led but community born.

By raising heights and densities near transit, San Mateo will meet state requirements rather than have to open up its zoning once again to find new places for housing. There is no way to avoid this if the measure does not pass.

The city has engaged in a robust general plan and housing element process that includes perspectives from all stakeholders. The result of that exhaustive and extremely public effort is before us today, Measure T. This measure will raise heights up to eight stories from the five allowed today in several core areas near the city’s three train stations and on El Camino Real. This is a modest amount to meet the needs for tomorrow, and it has already been vetted by the community and by a council with very diverse perspectives. This is a good deal.

Vote yes on Measure T.

Read Next: 10 Reasons to Vote Yes on Measure T