Measure F will allow up to 100 additional residential units
above ground-level stores in downtown’s core
Morgan Hill – Voters were divided, but the majority rallied around their downtown Tuesday as Measure F, an amendment to Morgan Hill’s growth control law, just barely passed.
With all 24 precincts reporting at 12:49am, the measure headed for victory gathering 4,143 “yes” votes or 52 percent, compared to 3,804 “no” votes or 48 percent.
Final election results will be certified in December.
Measure F will allow the Morgan Hill City Council to add up to 100 new housing units within the downtown core – the area north of Dunne Avenue, south of Main Avenue, east of Del Monte Avenue and west of the railroad tracks.
According to city officials, the 100 housing units would move from outlying areas of the city, expanding the number that could be built under the growth control law.
Measure F will amend the city’s slow growth plan, which was originally adopted in 1977. The plan specifies that 250 housing units may be built each year, reaching a population ceiling of 48,000 in 2020. Currently, the city’s population is approximately 36,000.
Supporters of the measure include businesses and the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and City Councilmembers Larry Carr and Greg Sellers.
Some voters standing in line at the precincts said they did not know much about the measure, and would make their decision as they voted.
Jill and Aaron, a Morgan Hill couple who declined to give their last name, have only lived in the city for “a few years,” and both work in other cities. “I’m really not sure how important it is to the city,” Jill said.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at
md****@mo*************.com.
