Dear Mayor & Council -
You will always be bombarded by organized groups to BUILD, regardless if that growth irresponsibly fails to consider our
infrastructure.
I have been a student of Plan Bay Area development for years and its failure to address the empty promises of truly affordable
housing. When a plan fails, it is time for responsible planners to reassess, not move forward as various HAAC groups (Housing at
All Costs) whip you from behind.
IT IS TIME FOR CITIES TO PUSH BACK for so many reasons. Here are just a few:
- Removal of local control - forcing each city to reach a build number, regardless of fit(thanks to the on-going efforts of Sen.
Scott Wiener/SB828)https://nine-county-coalition.squarespace.com/ [https://nine-county-coalition.squarespace.com/]
- Removal of true community input - thereby diluting the Democratic process
https://nine-county-coalition.squarespace.com/plan-bay-area/ [https://nine-county-coalition.squarespace.com/plan-bay-area/]
- Exponential population growth will force us very soon to drink 'recycled' water - whichis a nice way to say RECYCLED WATER FROM
YOUR TOILET.
https://www.pe.com/2018/08/17/toilet-to-tap-water-nearly-matches-bottled-h20-in-taste-test-university-researchers-discover/
[https://www.pe.com/2018/08/17/toilet-to-tap-water-nearly-matches-bottled-h20-in-taste-test-university-researchers-discover/]
- Insurmountable infrastructure deficits- How do we fund even a portion of it at the same time cities are struggling with their
pension debt?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasdelbeccaro/2018/04/19/the-top-four-reasons-california-is-unsustainable/#183fbb4e3a23
[https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasdelbeccaro/2018/04/19/the-top-four-reasons-california-is-unsustainable/#183fbb4e3a23]
The Housing Leadership Council has asked council folks OUTSIDE your city to push you to build. I feel this is WRONG on so many
levels. You know your city best.
What you may not know is the depth and breadth of the 'new normal' being forced upon you. The Nine County Coalition links above
are packed full of startling information.
WHY IS OUR STATE FORCING OUR HAND? WHY DOES THE HLC AND ITS ILK CONTINUE TO BEAT A DRUM THAT FAILS TO DELIVER? WHY ARE THE
TAXPAYERS (your constituents) PAYING BOTH IN TERMS OF $$ AND THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE?
Our region is a PENINSULA. I liken it to a lifeboat. How many bodies can you stuff in it before it sinks?
Finally, I leave you with this thought I shared with my own Council and Planning Commission: "I know the fear cities live in with
regard to being sued. At some point, we need to take back our power - and perhaps find out from residents if they would prefer
their tax dollars pay for all the infrastructure to support immense growth they may not want, OR to defend their city's own local
control. My vote is for the latter."I thank you all for your work during this very difficult period of time in our history, and
urge you to push back against the pressure to plow forward at a cost none of us can afford in the end.
Gratefully,
Lisa Taner
San Mateo Resident
4th Generation SF Bay Area Native
