San Mateo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Mateo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Five-Year Housing Fund Strategy
The council holds a public hearing on adopting a five-year plan and applying for state PLHA housing funds — money that can flow into local affordable housing activities.
Pro Housing Designation and state grant funding
State law now requires certain environmental and tribal cultural resource conditions on qualifying housing projects, including archaeological records searches and a Phase I environmental assessment before permits are issued.
Bay Meadows Phase II buildout and annual compliance review
The last two Bay Meadows blocks — two office buildings leased to Roblox and a 67-unit apartment building — are under construction, with completion expected in 2028-2029. The commission found the owner complied in good faith with the development agreement. About 3,300 people already work at Bay Meadows, expected to grow to roughly 5,000.
Bay Meadows visitor parking shortage
Villa Terrace-area residents say street parking is already nearly impossible, with working-class households shuffling multiple cars. The project provides 180 spaces but no dedicated visitor parking, and state law bars the city from requiring more.
1700 S. El Camino Real affordable senior housing
Commissioners asked whether senior housing is being prioritized. Staff pointed to a senior affordable complex planned at 1700 South El Camino Real and said senior housing policies will be examined in the inclusionary housing update coming back to the commission in December.
616 South B Street Housing Development
An eight-story building with 94 apartments — ten very-low-income — plus ground-floor commercial would replace the Kelly-Moore Paint and Tap Plastics buildings near downtown. It rides Measure T's higher density limits and heads to City Council for final approval.
Community Development Block Grant annual report (CAPER)
The annual report on how federal CDBG money was spent in the 2025-26 program year was up for a public hearing. If adopted by the City Council, it goes to HUD — and the report shapes how federal community-development dollars flow locally.
Self-storage facility and historic buildings at 922-980 S. Claremont Street
A new self-storage facility will preserve and rehabilitate three 1930s PG&E buildings, a rare large-scale historic rehabilitation in San Mateo. Speakers asked for a commemorative plaque, which staff said may become part of a future Historic Resources Commission plaque program.
222-unit housing development at 3000 Clearview Way
The old 380,000-square-foot office campus near Highway 92 will become 222 for-sale townhomes and single-family homes, including 33 below-market-rate units. Commissioners welcomed the for-sale housing but noted the density is well below what the zoning allows, and debated a density-bonus concession that puts all BMR units in three-bedroom townhomes.
Planning Commission Appointment Ethics Controversy
James Horsman resigned days after being appointed, reopening the question of who fills the seat. The council split 3-2 in favor of appointing first alternate Seema Patel rather than restarting interviews, amid resident concerns about transparency and commissioner conduct.
2026 BMR Housing Rates and Larger-Unit Priority
The council set 2026 maximum rents and sales prices for below-market-rate units and created a new priority letting developers provide fewer but larger (3+ bedroom) BMR units, addressing the shortage of family-sized affordable homes.
Concar Passage — 847 homes at former Concar Shopping Center
Brookfield's project replaces most of the aging Concar Shopping Center with 847 homes — 186 of them affordable — a relocated 7-Eleven, and keeps Trader Joe's. About $17 million in park in-lieu fees and other major fees come with it. The map approval was the project's last discretionary entitlement step.
232-Unit Housing Development at 220 W. 20th Avenue
A seven-story apartment project next to Asiya Shriners, Little Bloom Child Care, and Partners for Independence sparked intense debate over traffic, parking, and safety on Elkhorn Court. State housing law gave the council almost no room to deny it, so the focus shifted to safety conditions and ongoing collaboration between the developer and neighbors.
County Services and Housing
San Mateo County is considering a big spending spree, potentially dropping $13 million on a new treatment facility and the Pride Center. They're also eyeing e-bikes and a sales tax hike, all while the housing market continues its crazy rollercoaster ride.