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Board approves purchase of Spring Street home for youth housing after heated neighborhood debate
Summary
The county voted unanimously to buy 3335 Spring Street for a transitional‑age youth housing program, authorizing a $2.0 million purchase and an initial limit of 4–6 residents; neighbors raised concerns about proximity to Taft Elementary, parking, transit and permitting.
San Mateo County supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 9 to authorize the county president to execute a purchase agreement for 3335 Spring Street and to proceed with preparation of the property to host the county's Youth Housing program. Supervisor Liza Gauthier, the item sponsor, said the site would restore a program that previously operated on Douglas Avenue and emphasized the county would start small: "I would like to recommend that we start smaller, maybe with 4 to 6 in the beginning," she told the board.
Opponents in the Spring Street neighborhood urged the board to delay and hold more community meetings, citing traffic, parking and the home's short distance from Taft Elementary. One resident told the board: "This house is literally within probably 500 feet from an elementary school" (speaker recorded in the public comment roster). Supporters and program advocates, including providers and service‑sector volunteers, urged the board to move quickly so the county does not lose the property to the market. The board recorded the motion to purchase at $2,000,000 and authorized the county executive to accept the deed; the roll call showed unanimous approval.
The item will now move to staff for contract execution and property preparation, including an agreed phased occupancy cap for the first six months and additional community outreach. Supervisors and staff said they will supply additional information on permitting, programming, and transit/parking plans before residents move in.
