San Mateo County supervisors are getting cold feet over a ballot measure that, if approved by voters, would fast-track government-funded housing projects but reduce public scrutiny of those development proposals.
Two of the five supervisors — Ray Mueller and David Canepa — have come out against putting the question on the November ballot. And a number of cities either oppose the idea or say they need more time to study it before offering an opinion.
Supervisor were scheduled today to vote to put the measure on the ballot. But now County Manager Mike Callegy has changed the agenda of today’s meeting. Instead of voting to put the measure on the ballot, the supervisors are merely planning to discuss the idea.
Article 34 of the California constitution says that government-funded housing projects need to be approved at the polls. The county wants voters in November to waive their right to approve each project.
Proponents say it will allow for more low-income housing projects, but opponents fear it will make it easier for the county to put housing in residential neighborhoods over the objections of homeowners.
The proposed ballot question has moved through the county process at unusually fast pace, and a number of cities say they need more time to study it.
“I’m very concerned at how little time there has been for cities to understand this proposed measure,”Diaz said. “The measure does not propose to distribute units across the county and, since a city has no control over another agency developing or converting housing within their borders, there is nothing to prevent some communities from ultimately being required to host much more affordable housing than others.”
The cities of Half Moon Bay and Millbrae have come out against putting the question to voters.
