The LWV of South San Mateo County opposes
Menlo Park Measure V
The mission of the League of Women Voters is to make democracy work and to support effective representative democracy. In eliminating a function of elected City Council representatives to make zoning changes and instead put zoning changes to a public vote, Measure V reduces the effectiveness of city government.
Our League has adopted a full range of housing positions which are attached to this letter. We oppose Measure “V” for the following specific reasons, which are based on those positions.
- Election requirements are a barrier to new housing and thereby can increase the cost and uncertainty of housing proposals. Our League believes Menlo Park needs new housing and, therefore, needs to avoid barriers and added costs to housing production.
- The Measure does nothing to moderate or otherwise affect the demand for housing. Our League believes there needs to be a balance between job generating land uses and housing supply. This Measure does not provide any means or measures that result in a balance. Our League believes the City of Menlo Park can do better to balance both and believes that there are options to minimize potential negative impacts while meeting housing demand throughout the city.
- The State and pro-housing groups have acted to not only eliminate barriers to housing construction but also to limit local discretionary decision making. The proposed Measure risks such future nullification.
We understand that Measure “V” came to be out of frustration with the consideration of one housing project. We believe Measure “V” is not the solution to this frustration. We support higher densities along major transportation routes and believe development should be guided by an adopted General Plan and supporting zoning rules that are regularly reviewed for consistency. We believe Menlo Park could do better with its General Plan and Zoning regulations.
We encourage robust public engagement regarding potential zoning changes as well as related development regulations and design standards that minimize impacts on adjacent uses.
Our League would welcome forums to examine the entire city job production capacity and housing options to create a balance as well as to identify development regulations and design standards that minimize impacts. We would join with the City, other community organizations and neighborhood groups in support of such forums.
Sincerely,
Connie Guerrero, President
League of Women Voters, South San Mateo County
Liga de Mujeres Votantes del sur del Condado de San Mateo
Your Vote is Your Voice! -- ¡Tu Voto es tu Voz!
