Measure T - who funds it, who benefits?
FOLLOW THE MONEY
You voted for Measure Y in 2020, and now the City of San Mateo and their deep pocketed developer friends are attempting to overturn Measure Y and replace it with Measure T.
Why? Because it's in their best interests, not yours.
$250,000 - City Hall using your taxpayer dollars
$175,000+ - Real estate, development and construction interests.
(Contributions as of 10/9/24)
VOTE NO on measure T.
costly. misleading. unnecessary.
Vote NO on Measure T:
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Bankrolled by real estate development interests.
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Envisions increasing population by 50% - equivalent of Burlingame & Millbrae combined.
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Requires NO affordable housing and does not reduce housing costs.
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Increases vehicle trips, traffic gridlock, and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Raises your taxes to pay for new infrastructure and city services.
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Displaces small businesses with higher rents required with new construction.
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Requires new fire staff & specialized equipment for taller buildings.
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Promotes 11+ story high-rises (w/ state density bonus).
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Overturns voter-approved Measure Y and removes its protections.
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Increases demand for open space/recreation but provides none.
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Permits any 3 Councilmembers to modify development policies to please developers.
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State housing requirements have already been met without Measure T.
Read the full text of the NO on T Ballot Arguments here.
Vote NO on T for a more vibrant future.
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Measure T is Misleading
San Mateo Daily Journal
October 2, 2024
Editor,
More height does not equal more housing. Ask any of the endorsers or councilmembers to cite the affordable housing requirement in Measure T. I did and the councilmember was not able to substantiate the claim. Their assumption is that developers will provide more affordable housing with more height allowance. It’s a flawed assumption to make proponents appear favorable towards housing. In a neighborhood association presentation, the city confirmed it’s more costly to build taller buildings. This does not translate to more affordable housing. In Bohannon’s Reimagine Hillsdale presentation, the preferred plan is to build commercial offices all along El Camino Real, not housing.
In promotional mailers and online, the city and proponents claim “it is felt” that seniors “are being pushed out of the city because they can’t afford to stay.” Ask any of the endorsers or Council Members to substantiate the claim with data and cite how Measure T will directly address the issue. I did and the councilmember was unable to substantiate both claims.
Clearly, the existing voter approved Measure Y is the real proponent of mandated affordable housing. Measure T is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that strips away protections in Measure Y while appearing to support housing. More height will mean more profit for developers, not more affordable housing for the community. Vote no on T.
Marlene Tam
San Mateo
"Measure T is not a solution. It negates Measure Y. Measure T boils down to residents' interests vs. developer and big business interests. Local politics works as long as there is a balance. But Measure T is extreme. Join me and VOTE NO on Measure T."
-Former Mayor Claire Mack
Achieving
Balance
There are many reasons for the Bay Area’s sky high housing costs, but Measure Y is not one of them. Abolishing building height and affordable housing protections that have served San Mateo well for more than a quarter of a century will do nothing to stem the tide of rising rents, displaced residents or excessively long commutes. Rather, the effort to eliminate these protections is divisive and destructive.
Lately, there has been a growing recognition that residents who live here should have a say in their future, not just real estate interests and global tech corporations. When external forces cause a city’s growth to become so out of balance that the community can no longer absorb it, and representative democracy fails its citizens, California voters are lucky to have an initiative process to give power back to the people.
San Mateans understand their true power lies in the vote. Only through the ballot can we counter the vast sums of money that distort our government at every level. Residents and voters are increasingly standing up and fighting back against those who view our community as nothing more than an economic opportunity - a resource to be exploited.
For generations, San Mateo has grown responsibly and changed with the times. It is a desirable small city with a diversity of residents and a wide range of housing choices. San Mateans have invested in building a better tomorrow by protecting the best of yesterday and integrating it with what works for the community today. It is what old timers and new faces alike find attractive about San Mateo. Rejection of Measure T and the continuation of Measure Y continues this tradition.
Vote NO on Measure T.
"I support affordable housing and higher buildings. I am disappointed that our Council put [Measure T] on the ballot even though voters already weighed in. It adds to the sense of distrust that makes residents place things on the ballot instead of putting faith in their elected officials."
-Dana Sahae, San Mateo resident
"Two key issues warrant attention: the mayor’s ongoing advocacy for this development agenda [Measure T] and the financial contributions the city has received from developers...This raises serious ethical concerns and suggests our leaders may not be prioritizing the community’s best interests."
-Michael Ross, San Mateo resident
Balanced Growth is Smarter Growth
Building heights of 55-75 feet (5-7 stories) allows significant, but balanced growth...
Housing Affordability
SMRG's long commitment to affordable housing...
The Abundance of Measure Y
Gallery of Bay Area development that fits within these standards...
Join us today! Vote NO on T.
San Mateo is a wonderful city. Its charming neighborhoods, vibrant downtown and diverse population create an unmistakable sense of place. But we believe San Mateo can grow to be even better. For 30 years we've believed in protecting our neighborhood character and irreplaceable historic resources. We believe that balanced growth is a smarter path to more affordable housing and a better life for all -- without compromising the qualities that make San Mateo special.