Category: Blog

The other deportation

Dear friends and allies,
In recent months the community has risen up in a deeply felt reaction to the nearly unimaginable cruelty that has taken place at our southern borders. The sheer extremity of the things we have witnessed—families being separated, children being warehoused, asylum seekers being denied any prospect of hope—has laid glaringly bare the nature of the conditions our immigrant neighbors wake up to every day.

One San Mateo’s position on the ballot measure [Measure Y] to extend Measure P

One San Mateo is a local community group whose overarching mission is to increase fairness and inclusion in San Mateo. As part of our efforts to craft affordable housing solutions, One San Mateo has recently completed a months-long deliberative process addressing the proposed extension of Measure P. This involved presentations from both sides, numerous conversations, and a structured discussion that culminated in a blind vote. The outcome of this process is that One San Mateo has decided against supporting the extension of Measure P. Below is a statement of our rationale.

San Mateo’s current height and density limits have been in effect for nearly 30 years.  They were first introduced in 1991 as Measure H and were re-authorized in 2004 as Measure P. Much has changed since they were first adopted. Our city and region have experienced extraordinary economic growth, adding jobs at a rapid rate. In comparison, the production of housing has been minimal, and the resulting imbalance has caused rents and home prices to soar.

One San Mateo and the Community Conversation Around Whether to Extend Measure P

The City of San Mateo is regularly re-examining its policies, and One San Mateo is committed to playing its part in that process, steadfastly advocating for fairness and inclusion, with a particular focus on housing.

One issue that is coming up for increased discussion is the extension Measure P (you can read Measure P in its entirety here). One San Mateo is presently undertaking a rigorous process of deliberation on Measure P, including as it relates to San Mateo’s upcoming development of a new General Plan. We hope everyone will do the same in properly informing themselves and thinking deeply about these issues. 

In due course, we will arrive at an assessment as an organization and publicly add our voice to this important discussion.  We thank you for patiently and attentively walking alongside us in this process.

The Steering Committee of One San Mateo

Reflection #4: Real Estate

We often begin our meetings with a reflection which helps put our work in context and maybe even provides us with some hope and inspiration. 

The following reflection was read at our Secretary of Communications, Justin Alley, at our November 5th meeting.

Real Estate

by Amy Clampitt

Something there is that doesn’t
love a Third Avenue tenement,