Local political leaders back repeal of SB9
Earlier this month, SJ Councilwoman Dev Davis kicked off an initiative campaign to reverse SB9, Sacramento's heavy-handed takeover of residential zoning authority. Davis, in a SJ Merc op-ed, argues that SB9 stifles local control and won't even guarantee an increase in affordable housing. Councilmember Matt Mahan provides additional perspective, as do council hopefuls Bien Doan, Irene Smith, and Ramona Snyder. Both Davis and Mahan are SJ mayoral hopefuls.
Dev Davis:
Senate Bill 9, which was recently passed by the state Legislature, is the ultimate override of local land-use control. This new state mandate means a developer can demolish the house right next door to you and build a multi-unit and multi-story complex — and you have no say in the matter. Your local city officials have no say in the matter. These laws are blank checks to developers. Taking away our neighborhood’s voices is not the way to build a community. It’s the way to tell a community, “Sit down and be quiet” because Sacramento politicians know better than you do about what your community needs.
I was honored to be the first in the state to sign the initiative to restore what Sacramento politicians have taken away.
SB 9 does not require new projects to contribute to the local infrastructure they will stress — such as storm water and sewer capacity, water and power lines, streets, parks and schools. Developers and speculators will benefit the most from these policies. Our neighborhoods will bear the biggest brunt of state control.
We should be building density where San Jose has planned for it — in urban villages. These designated growth areas around the city are located near transit and allow for larger developments that are required to make infrastructure upgrades as part of their projects.--Councilwoman Dev Davis
Matt Mahan:
SB 9 should be repealed because it forces cities into a one-size-fits-all policy without recognizing the unique circumstances of each community. It’s one thing for the State to set housing targets, but it is quite another to usurp our local control and tell individual communities how to reach them.
San Jose has been a good actor on housing—better than nearly any other city in the state—and we already suffer from suburban sprawl and some of the worst traffic gridlock in the country. The future of housing in San Jose must be a smart growth future that puts housing where it belongs, near transit and retail, and not where it will worsen traffic, air pollution, displacement and our fiscal health.
SB 9, like the City's Fourplex Plan, oversimplifies our housing problem and should be rejected. As long as it is state law, I will fight to limit its impact on our neighborhoods by capping the number of new units and enforcing strict design standards.--Councilmember Matt Mahan
Bien Doan:
SB-9 was shoved into law without input from residents and it would allow investors to prey on lower-priced neighborhoods in our communities. It would put a strain on our infrastructure and services. And, it would make it more difficult for local residents to become homeowners.
I believe that our residents, neighborhood, community and City should have a voice towards where, and how we support any changes in our zoning laws. Our residents have a right to be heard and participate in local matters.
The state of California should not dictate zoning laws at the city level. We live in a country that is built on freedom and democracy. If we allow the government to dictate what we can do or not do then we are slowly allowing the chipping away of our freedoms.
--Candidate, District 7 councilmember Bien Doan
Irene Smith:
In our downtown D3, we already celebrate the greatest diversity of housing in the city: we have rooming houses, transitional housing, and group homes. We have halfway houses, fourplexes, duplexes, triplexes, and highrises. We have sororities and fraternities. We have women's shelters and stately old mansions. We have affordable housing, the largest number of rent control apartments, Homekey motels, YMCA, Sobrato, Bill Wilson and permanent supportive housing. And the largest Housing Authority SB35 project. We embrace diversity at all levels including housing. In my neighborhood, downtown D3, we hear people get called NIMBYs when they question a zoning change. It's inaccurate, because we embrace it all, already.
We love our great mix of housing in downtown D3 and it works because we have had thoughtful local planning for development and zoning. The unpredictable scattershot approach of SB9 would take that voice away from us.
And it would be especially challenging for renters in downtown D3 as it would likely increase the risk of displacement from current homes or apartments during construction. As well as put an unanticipated uncontrolled strain on local city services like streets, sewers, police and fire, placing safety in further jeopardy.
I'm in favor of diverse, affordable housing developed and planned at the local level and that is why I'm opposed to SB9. Let's put it to a vote! --Candidate, District 3 councilmember, Irene Smith
Ramona Arellano Snyder
As a candidate for San Jose City Council District 1, a homeowner and resident I am in opposition of the passing of SB9. The residents of California should have a voice regarding changes to their cities land use and zoning policies at the local level. The city of San Jose’s Envision 2040 plan is the city's guiding document as to how and where San Jose builds new housing. It has identified growth areas that help curtail urban sprawl and reduce vehicle miles traveled. Each city within the state has its own general plan and there is not a one size fits all method to adding additional housing. SB9 will allow infill growth wherever and without any input from the residents or the councilmembers who represent them. I support the “Our Neighborhood Voices” initiative measure to bring this to the ballot for the voters to decide in November 2022.
--Candidate, District 1 councilmember, Ramona Arellano Snyder
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