Measure A, the revised Measure H that would allow 500
residential units in the downtown, deserves your vote May 19.
Measure H lost by 10 votes
Measure A, the revised Measure H that would allow 500 residential units in the downtown, deserves your vote May 19.
Measure H failed in November by just 10 votes, and those who supported it say they were complacent and took for granted that there would be no opposition. This time they’ve organized a Political Action Committee to support the measure.
Though it is unlikely any units will be built this year, it is better to be proactive and ready when the economy bounces back instead of reacting to economic conditions.
Let’s set the record straight
Passage of Measure A will not circumvent the city’s growth control measure.
Residents may have thought the 500 units were above and beyond the system’s 48,000 population cap by 2020, it’s not; developers thought it would take housing allocations away from them, and it doesn’t; and others thought the 500 units would be low-income, and, while they’ll be smaller units and therefore presumably affordable to first-home buyers and young professionals, they’re not subsidized, according to former mayor and PAC chair Dennis Kennedy said.
“Measure A will help to make the downtown alive and vibrant,” he told reporter Natalie Everett.
What it will do is lessen the number of homes built near the city’s greenbelt between San Jose to the north and San Martin to the south, allowing for sustainable land-use policies. We can have the best of both worlds: a bustling downtown and plenty of open space surrounding the city, unlike our neighbors to the north.
It just makes sense
Adding about 1,000 residents to the downtown makes sense, but only if city, county and state officials keep an eye on the big picture. Those residents will need parking spaces. Caltrain will need to add more trains to accommodate those who want to live downtown but commute north, or south, to work. And, moving housing downtown will help reduce the number of units built on the city’s fringe and preserve open space.
The measure is the linchpin of the city’s Downtown Specific Plan, the vision of which is a bustling downtown that includes mixed-use housing with retail or offices on the ground floor, residences above. It is a model that has been proven successful in many other cities. Downtowns are healthier when diverse.
Economically, it is a good idea. It does not raise taxes, it protects farmland, lowers greenhouse gases and will create a vibrant downtown that residents will look forward to visiting. Vote yes on Measure A.
Dennis Kennedy is a member of the editorial board, but recused himself from discussions regarding this topic.
