San Mateo Office-to-Housing Plan Triggers Lawsuits
Overview of the Housing Element Lawsuit The legal drama in San Mateo highlights a conflict between ambitious urban planning and the stark realities of regional housing needs. The Housing Action Coalition, with Farella Braun + Martel, has filed a lawsuit against the city's Housing Element. This legal action claims that San Mateo did not provide concrete evidence that designated sites are suitable and feasible for development. Contentious sites include a shopping center, office buildings, and vital parking lots, threatening over 50% of the required low-income housing units. The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of substantial evidence over speculation in ensuring the city's proposals meet housing needs authentically. Although the proposal includes over 200 potential sites, surpassing state requirements, the lawsuit challenges the city's reliance on assumptions rather than facts. Ensuring compliance with California's housing laws becomes crucial amid the severe regional h...