San Mateo council adopts zoning code changes to implement Measure T; sets administrative approval threshold at 99 units for projects that meet objective design

San Mateo — On March 17 the City Council adopted two ordinances to implement key provisions of the housing element and Measure T and set an interim administrative threshold that allows projects meeting the city’s Objective Design Standards (ODS) to be approved administratively up to 99 units.

Lede: The council voted 5‑0 to adopt (1) a zoning code ordinance that implements housing element policies (including changes for ADUs, SROs, farmworker housing, emergency shelters, supportive housing, and permissions for residential uses in some commercial and office districts) and (2) a Measure T implementation ordinance to align the zoning code with the general plan’s updated uses, densities and heights. Council also set an administrative approval threshold of up to 99 units for residential projects that fully comply with the ODS; mixed‑use projects with more than 10,000 square feet of commercial remain excluded from the administrative path.

Nut graf: The measures are meant to reduce discretionary review where projects meet objective standards, help accelerate housing…