Smart Growth Ratings

June 28, 2006

Dana Yates reviewed a recent progress report on smart growth in the SM Daily Journal. Here's an excerpt. The full piece is on http://www.smdailyjournal.com.

San Mateo County cities are getting a failing grade when it comes to smart growth development in the Bay Area, according to a report to be released today by Greenbelt Alliance.

The study examines planning policies that protect open space and prevent urban sprawl in the 101 cities in the nine Bay Area counties. Only one city San Mateo ranked in the top 20. Millbrae, San Carlos and Half Moon Bay all scored between 49 percent and 37 percent. The rest of the San Mateo County cities ranked in the bottom third of the report.

Regardless, the report shows that cities need to do more to solidify their plans to focus growth near transit centers.

It shows the region isn't really prepared for growth,? said Michele Beasley, South Bay field representative for Greenbelt Alliance.

The study evaluated questionnaires sent to all 101 cities late last year. Each city was awarded points in seven different categories: Growth boundaries, park proximity, affordable housing, mixed-use development, development density, reduced parking requirements and development standards. Many San Mateo county cities received no score in the area of park proximity because the well-established areas already have parks and don't anticipate adding too many more if any.

San Mateo County was also evaluated and its policies ranked among the weakest, according to the report.

Government officials have yet to view the report, but some warn there is more to smart growth than the policies on the books.

The questions to ask are:

Does the Greenbelt Alliance take into account when a county is already well-developed? It doesn't appear so based on the park rating process.

Does the Greenbelt Alliance double back and check whether projects that appeared to meet smart growth objectives really do? It doesn't appear so from the positive ratings for Bay Meadows Phase 1.

Does the Greenbelt Alliance rate local rail service? Since a high percentage of Burlingame residents and workers live and work in walking distance of the Broadway station, what how does the Alliance account for its drastically reduced service?

Inquiring minds want to know. Perhaps Dana will do a follow-up piece.

– Written by admin

Posted in Design Review

5 responses to “Smart Growth Ratings”

fred

June 28, 2006

I believe we have more affordable housing units than other cities in the county,? said Redwood City Manager Ed Everett. Some people have a lot of policies and don’t build it. We don’t have a lot of policies, but we build it.?

******

What is so different between Bay Meadows phase one and the multi-use renditions of the Safeway project? Outside of the townhouses they look the same to me.
Anonymous

June 28, 2006

The Safeway project(s) would/could be considered infill, right? I am not that familiar with the Bay Meadows phases, but I wouldn’t call phase I (the Whole Foods area) “infill” as it isn’t abutting much at all. The big issue with Safeway has been it’s relationship and orientation to what already exists, with or without the addition of condos.

Personally, I think the Whole Foods complex is mainly pretty good, though I don’t care for the style of townhomes. I do like the look of the Franklin structure, though for some, I suppose it looks very severe. I imagine that it will still look pretty classy in 50 years because of the clean lines. The homes, however, may not fare as well.
Anonymous

June 29, 2006

It’s odd that San Mateo County rates so low in the preservation of open space when more than 75 percent of the county has been retained as open space already. What more can we do? Banish people altogether? Punish women for having children? Forbid all new housing throughout the Peninsula from now on?
just looking

June 29, 2006

It’s even odder that Fred can see the difference between Colma and San Mateo’s crime rates but can’t see the difference between the Whole Foods complex and 30 condos on top of a Safeway in Burlingame.
fred

June 29, 2006

I see the difference. One is actually built and the other…uhhhh….let me get back to you in another ten years.

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