The irony of the YIMBY movement is that for the most part YIMBY's don't actually have backyards--they're just jealous of other people's backyards. Couple financial jealousy with a tinge of misplaced racism--what I have termed neo-racism--and you get political pressure to destroy single-family zoning as noted here. A letter to the Comicle today decries this "home shaming". I'll add it to the comment section. But people are waking up to the threat posed by Senate Bill 9 and the YIMBY carpetbaggers. Regular Voice reader Laura has crafted a call to action for us and asked me to share it:
Please be aware of what Sacramento is doing and how it affects our town. Burlingame is under siege by Sacramento, large Construction Developers, and affordable housing advocates that seek to disrupt the successful balance of single family and multi-family housing that we have in our town today! They are showing up in numbers for the Zoom City Council meetings and they are advocating for SB-9.
SB-9 has the potential to change our town forever. In a nutshell, SB-9 rezones all parcels within single-family residential zones, to allow for the creation of up to 10 units on one residential lot, no matter how small the lot size, with NO parking requirement. That means that your neighbor's home, could become a 10 unit building and neither you, nor your local Council could do anything about it. SB-9 is one of dozens of similar bills, all designed to erode local control over land-use.
Our Burlingame Community supported a General Plan revision in 2019 that allows for reasonable growth that our schools, roads, and water infrastructure can accommodate. This plan meets our State mandated housing goals. Burlingame presently has more multi-family residential units as a percentage of housing (53% compared to 47% for single family) than any other city in San Mateo County except East Palo Alto. We are doing our part and have accomplished this with local control and balance! Don’t let the outsiders say otherwise. It is just not true.
Please let your representatives know that you support your Council's local control over our city’s zoning and do not want interference from Large developers and outside housing advocates that care nothing for your quality of life, or your town.
Please voice your concern to Burlingame City Council at Council@Burlingame.org
Assembly member Kevin Mullin Senator Josh Becker
assemblymember.mullin@assembly.ca.gov
https://sd13.senate.ca.gov/contact
916-319-2022 (916) 651-4013
650-349-2200 (650) 212-3313
State Senior Scott Weiner
916-651-4013
650-212-3313
Millbrae is hoping to enact some rules around SB9-driven development as reported in the DJ:
Councilmembers expressed hope that a city ordinance would ensure potential new construction would mesh with existing homes. Agreed on provisions were a limit on the maximum unit size to 800 square feet, capping building heights at 16 feet and requiring front yards of at least 20 feet in depth. The affordability rule to be carried over requires that if the maximum of four units are developed, at least one be made affordable to residents who earn 80% or less of the county’s median income.
The council agreed also to prohibit roof decks, require at least 60% of front yards be landscaped, and require at least one covered parking space be added per unit where state law permits (SB 9 bars cities from mandating parking on projects within a half mile of public transit).
As possible additions to the ordinance, Councilmember Ann Schneider requested that new units be constructed with material saved during deconstruction if existing buildings are removed. She said neighbors should also be notified if an SB 9 project is planned near their homes.
The city’s rules will sit aside SB 9’s own requirements, among them that parcels not already in urban areas do not qualify, neither do those within historic and environmentally sensitive districts. Those who redevelop a lot must also live in one of the new units for at least three years from the time of submitting an application.
https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/millbrae-advances-restrictions-to-california-duplex-ordinance/article_789e7cac-c6ab-11ec-a97d-63768bccf05e.html?utm_source=smdailyjournal.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Fheadlines%2F%3F-dc%3D1651154401&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline
Posted by: Joe | April 28, 2022 at 01:50 PM