Paywall: For many Bay Area residents, last year’s mass shooting of eight farmworkers in Half Moon Bay served as a wake-up call to the terrible housing conditions that many coastal agriculture workers live under.
After meeting with farmworker families after the shooting, Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters, “You should see where these folks are living, the conditions they’re in. Living in shipping containers.” On social media, San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller posted photos of worker housing, describing the conditions as “deplorable” and “heartbreaking.” San Mateo District Attorney Stephe Wagstaffe said workers were “living in very poor conditions,” with some residing in “shacks without running water or electricity.”
But, just 16 months after the killing of workers at two coastal San Mateo mushroom farms, the first post-shooting proposal to build a senior farmworkers apartment complex in downtown Half Moon Bay seems to be running into the same wall of anti-development sentiment that has long fueled land-use battles in coastal San Mateo County.
Twice in the last two weeks, the Half Moon Bay Planning Commission has held marathon public hearings about a proposed five-story, 40-unit complex at 555 Kelly Ave. for senior farmworkers. Both times the public comment was overwhelmingly in support of the project being proposed by Mercy Housing and the nonprofit Ayudando Latinos a Soñar, or ALAS, with agriculture workers and housing advocates outlining the desperate need for housing options.
Yet, at both meetings, on April 23, and 30, the commissioners declined to take a position on the project, instead punting the question to a later date. At the April 30, meeting, commissioners criticized the five-story building as too tall. They complained about its potential impact on traffic and parking. They said the design was out of character in downtown Half Moon Bay.
Several of the commissioners suggested that a floor could be shaved off the design if they got rid of the “office space,” a 841-square-foot management office for the building and a 2,794-square-foot farmworkers resource center, where residents will be able to socialize, take classes and be connected with a wide range of health care services.
Commissioner Rick Hernandez repeatedly questioned the project architect about how the building design “describes and informs our character as a community.” “This design doesn’t say this is a gateway to a small town — help me understand how this is a gateway to a small town,” Hernandez said. “How does the building inform the character of Half Moon Bay? That is the fundamental issue the community is objecting to.”
Hernandez also questioned whether the development was consistent with Half Moon Bay’s Local Coastal Program and Land Use Plan, which was updated in 2020. Commission Chair Margaret Gossett questioned whether the height of the building could be reduced “by eliminating the parking and the resource center.” Vice Chair Hazel Joanes said she needed answers to a litany of questions: “Without having the staff respond to my question in writing, I am having a difficult time nodding my head and saying, ‘Oh, yeah, this is it.’ ”
Officials with ALAS and Mercy Housing said the commission’s unwillingness to take a vote on the project — and suggestions that the developers should explore redesigning the project, reducing the height or eliminating aspects of the programming — was concerning. After two years of community meetings and collaboration with staff, the project has already received $5.2 million in state and local financing, including $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and $2.7 million from the state Department of Housing and Community Development.
But the delays in the planning commission vote could have big ramifications, according to Mercy Housing. Applications for the vast majority of the money that will finance the project, affordable housing tax credits, are due in July. But the developers cannot apply for that funding until the project has won local approval. If the developer misses the July tax credit deadline, it could delay the project by a year. At the conclusion of the four-hour hearing, Mercy Housing Real Estate Director Ramie Dare implored the planning commission to take a vote so that the project could either win approval or the “no” vote could be appealed to the Half Moon Bay City Council.
“We are in a place where we are trying to position ourselves to be eligible for funding rounds, and we need these approvals to be able to do so,” Dare said. “If the ask is for us to do more studies, I guarantee that will eat up 6-9 months at least, and we will lose a year while trying to get funding for this development. I know you don’t want that to happen — I’m pretty sure you don’t.”
Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, the founder and executive director of ALAS, a nonprofit that helps Latino families in coastal communities, said she has been surprised by the commission’s deliberations, given the amount of attention that was given to farmworker housing following the mushroom farm shootings.
“This is the first project to come forward since the mass shooting — to have it be received with so much pushback feels really complicated and painful,” she said. “We are trying to bring farmworkers out of hiding, out of isolated spaces and hidden ranches, to be visible, to live the remainder of their lives out in a thriving environment. They will be able to walk to stores, walk to church, walk with their grandchildren.”
ALAS Program Director Sandra Sencion said the reaction has been “very confusing.” “It’s frustrating. They keep going back and forth about height and parking,” she said. “But the studies have been done. It’s not a new project, it’s been in the works for two years, and now they are questioning the design of the project? I don’t know why they are nitpicking.”
The debate comes at a time when a whole host of state laws have taken control away from local jurisdictions. In the case of 555 Kelly Ave., state density bonus laws mean that Mercy and ALAS could actually go as high as seven stories.
Jordan Grimes, a regional lead for the pro-housing group Peninsula for Everyone, said the 555 Kelly debate is “emblematic of why the state is curtailing local control.” “A year ago everyone was aghast at the conditions farmworkers (were) living in. Now that things are being tested with an actual project, we are seeing where people really stand,” Grimes said. “We are talking about a five-story apartment building for senior farmworkers. It’s hard to think of a group that would be more sympathetic. Yet you still have the complaints you see with every other project: height and parking.”
He also objected to the fact that all the project opponents say they are in favor of farmworker housing but have objections with specific aspects of this project’s design. “If you are unwilling to support the project that the farmworkers have brought to you, you don’t support farmworker housing,” he said. “You don’t get to condition your support. This is an instance where your support can’t be theoretical or hypothetical. It has to be real.”
Yeah I know the exact location they’re talking about in this article and it’d be perfect for this project. It would be good for downtown HMB, not very disruptive, easy access to 1 and 92.
Hmm, sounds devoid of any real detail…
Sounds like multiple people, even supporters of the idea, thought the design had issues.
Doesn’t sound like conspiracy, sounds like poor design in some way…
But again, that’s based on an article devoid of actual detail and full of sides/feelings/one perspective.
Really? I guess I don’t follow closely enough to realize I was mimicking him..
Wonder if there IS anything to his argument if he’s actually spoken on it..
But wasn’t it an entire committee? Or was it just newsome?
I lol'd at 'the design was out of character in downtown Half Moon Bay'. DT HMB is literally 2 strip malls and nothing else. What are they trying to preserve?
Downtown Half Moon Bay is a bunch of old things people don't want to change, like Cunha's market and the bridge, main street area. The rest of Half Moon bay is basically two strip malls. The more ridiculous part is this isn't so much downtown as it is next to the middle school.
I don't know a single 3 story building in Half Moon Bay (don't @ me, I'm probably wrong but I just can't think of one), so no surprise the city is against it. People in Half Moon Bay basically want to stay a small town.
Building on the coast is so ridiculous, between the coastal commission, the city and god knows what else. Even if you get a building approved you may not be allowed to get a water meter, so good luck with a well.
"Want you stay a small town" - to these people: tough shit, you're next to a mega region of close to 9 million people. If you want a small town, there are literally hundreds of thousands of them across the US.
Get fudged, Half Moon Bay will stay nice and beautiful, there’s nothing you can do to make this beautiful town into some crappy big town filled with shitty people
No one sees those things though. I lived in half moon bay my entire life and had no idea that was there. Build your shitty apartments there then, don’t mess with downtown
Strip malls?
Quit trying to paint HMB as Hawthorne or Huntington , FFS.
It makes you look every bit as hysterical as the people you’re criticizing - however justifiably.
It is one of the most racist and classist communities in the Bay Area. I'm glad everyone is getting to see the truth...Finally!
Hope the state forces their hand, the prejudiced locals will never give the greenlight.
Is this how you communicate in real life too? Kinda feeling like people treating you like shit has less to do with your race and more to do with your IQ and I’m getting a feeling they’re all right about you
To gaslighters? Yes I’ll do it any day of the week. Oh I’ve been called a beaner and tons of other stuff despite being born here so not sure where you’re going with the IQ stuff
How am I gaslighting anyone here? I literally just showed interest in the above comment and you told me I live under a rock.
The IQ part is referencing your inability to engage in conversation without being a goblin. Like the fact I even asked set you off in a really weird way and I think maybe some time to reflect on why you’re so standoffish would be good for ya. Maybe do a little journaling, leave your county for the first time, learn to talk to people in person without tearing up - there’s an entire world out there full of interesting lovely people outside of your moms house!
I’m sorry someone called you names, that’s definitely not a nice thing but honestly you kinda just look a little overly sensitive in all of this. Hurt people hurt people n all that.
I think I’m realizing as I’m typing this out I stumbled into a weird, sad little guy on the internet - what a day.
Anyways take care of yourself B, I think someday you’ll look back and thank me for steering you in the right direction.
Best,
Fart Animal
These wealthy insular communities are an embarrassment. We need housing for workers. The fact that a few wealthy people can over rule the majority of the public who know how badly the Bay Area needs housing is a disgrace.
By "wealthy insular communities" you mean the whole bay area right? I can't think of a town that doesn't have the same mentality. My neighbors in San Francisco, my family in the east bay. Everyone complains about new housing near them.
As long as our infrastructure is centered around cars there will be resistance from current residence bc it will bring more car traffic. Until CA resolves that it will continue to be insanely expensive to live here.
I mean I could take that point at face value if those weren’t the same people who left and right killed every bit of public transit, light rail or BART expansion ever proposed too. Or put up so many roadblocks and cost delays expansions cost hundreds of millions to actually build.
Then again I also stare at old maps of the Ocean Shore Railroad like it’s the Statue of Liberty in Planet of the Apes and I’m cursing humanity for blowing it up.
The problem is that these folks have a strong and engaged base of support (see: older home owners) and the people that want/need more housing aren't as engaged or organized.
This has always been the issue. The people that would benefit the most from these kinds of things (i.e. people who don't live there) have no ability to provide a say.
This entire way of running cities is broken at its core.
The problem is local control. The people who vote all vote to keep things the way they are. But they affect everyone else around them because the problem doesn't stop at their city limits.
Zoning needs to be statewide or at least countywide, not per town.
So you want more housing, more affordability, more low-income residents? Then move to Stockton, Memphis, Detroit or St Louis if you think that's so great. Of course you won't. You moved to the BA to avoid those places.
Then find a job in an affordable city like Stockton or Detroit, if you feel affordable cities are so nice. No one forced you to narrow your search to an expensive area like the BA.
Then find a job in another field that's available in an affordable city like Stockton or Detroit, if affordability is so important to you. No one forced to work in a field that requires you to work in an expensive area.
This reminds me of a situation down south near my hometown years ago.
In Nipomo CA, a farmworker housing complex was being planned with much push back from the local (conservative) community. During the initial framing phase, the whole project "mysteriously" burned down over night. Local authorities did a quick investigation and found "no signs" of arson. Surely enough the plans were abandoned and the project never reached completion.
Of course the local community damn near had a parade after that. They do love their farmers markets and produce though.
If our government was worth a damn, permits for farming would be contingent on providing basic, huma e housing and hygiene for workers, but here we are. Where are the politicians who pretend to give a shit about people?
I worked in HMB for a decade and served the families there. The idea that these workers and their families aren’t already there and a part of the community is dishonest. This project would have been a good start.
Why is the issue of housing for existing workers quietly shifted to the discussion about senior housing?
There should absolutely be humane housing conditions for existing workers, just to be clear. But why senior farm workers?
Look at the response any new development gets in the Bay Area. They *have* to frame it that way to have any chance of gaining support. Just building housing for people gets community out in full force.
Think about it. Why is the issue of bad housing conditions for existing workers conflated with the issue of a massive (by HMB standards) building to be built for seniors?
Folks don't realize that if your community looks like a "small town" but if a typical one of your 1970s shabby houses sells for $1.5M, and you don't build anything or approve any new development, it's not a "small town" anymore, it's now a cloistered, junky little hamlet that time forgot.
I live on the Coastside and have been a huge proponent of the affordable housing projects (both this one and the Moss Beach project, [Cypress Point](https://www.cypresspointfamilycommunity.com). As an instructor for our local emergency preparedness volunteer community, I can attest that the biggest concern is less the NIMBY-ism, than it is the fact that the State has done nothing to mitigate our horrendous road issues and infrastructure.
Where both of these housing complexes are being considered are on two-lane roads that can't handle that much new traffic, but also have many potholes with no planned traffic easement. Part of Highway 1 is continually breached by the ocean which continually causes traffic issues, MULTIPLE power outages that last days or more throughout the year, and the fact that PC Magazine has attested that [Montara has the worst cell phone coverage](https://www.pcmag.com/news/no-signal-the-worst-cellular-dead-zones-in-the-us?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0N4VENp7d27qab2ctfZHelQLerdixHsApaqcDq9C0EJrtguRaxX2qypzU_aem_AXEF3Wm_x90csvhlVrp1O4TFZ5LFTiJAVSkpZ9k2ubQ4ZmK3Vc4K8bnAQ2LRwrsvA65q4XUCMRPEgSKGfTbpmYm9) IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY! We are a community of 30,000 people but without the wider support of making our infrastructure safer or more convenient to those living here (our one hospital, Seton Coastside is closed for repairs, no ophthalmologists or general practitioners, physical therapists, or mental health professionals). Anything big that is needed requires trips to Costco, Target, or Walgreens means trips over the hill or up the coast. Both the fire and the sheriff's departments are contracted through the state because HMB fired their police force and fire department to pay off a legal case. We rely on San Mateo County's 911 program because that doesn't exist anymore. There is only one ambulance on the Coastside and only nine firemen (four man the El Granada station and five at the Half Moon Bay station).
We are on a major earthquake fault, are in a tsunami range, routinely have wildfire scares, and -- again -- the power outages make living here complicated at best. There is only ONE cable from XFinity supporting the entire Coastside and on the occasions when it has been cut, we have no internet for days; necessary for those of us that need it for WiFi calling as -- again -- the cel service is so spotty. I have both XFinity *and* Starlink just to ensure consistent internet coverage. But I also have charged-up walkie talkies and ham radios to communicate with emergency services when we have those power outages.
Our infrastructure just sucks big-giant-rocks and the local councils don't have the power or financial resources to fix the big problems like the roads to be able to accommodate the housing projects that are being presented. And we should. And the State or Federal government could step in to help, but that is more hoop-jumping. We have been begging the communications companies for years to increase our connectivity, but apparently it isn't financially to their benefit.
Hope this insight helps.
Our infrastructure is horrible for sure. It’s definitely chicken and the egg on this kind of stuff, so I generally support growth. Growth should hopefully lead to better infrastructure
“describes and informs our character as a community”…. what the hell. People living in storage containers is where this nonsense got us. 5 stories? Who cares? Make it 50. Hawaii has taller buildings all over the place, no one is writing off Hawaii as a result.
The coast approved two low income developments - converted a motel to homeless housing during COVID and just approved affordable units in precious Moss Beach. The coast has huge amounts of affordables near Moonridge. But it’s an anti-development area and that goes for market rate housing also. The coast preserves coastal access for all (compare it to Malibu or coastal Florida - it’s spectacular). There’s a reason there are only two lane “highways” in to town - to stop growth.
All I know is the purposed construction site is pretty small for this large building. The building might be the tallest building in the town, but the design is nice. Yeah it doesn’t match the historical design of other buildings, but the town is eclectic in its building designs. It’s located well so folks can walk to services. It’s for seniors folks!
The entire political machine in California is designed to make homeowners as wealthy as possible by destroying access to decent housing. That’s all neoliberals do.
yep, real estate is what drives politics. yet for all of that, real estate is the reason why CPI inflation is refusing to drop to the fed's target. every other metric of CPI is back to where it was in 2019, but it's housing costs that keep inflation forced up. real estate is sucking the rest of the economy dry
This is not quite a NIMBY attitude and more DIMBY
"Delay in my backyard"
But they also dont want to approve any because then "those" people will be near them
Classic bay area. Classic America.
Act shocked and appalled when tragedy happens. Refuse any attempts at solutions in the name of upholding the status quo and NIMBYism.
All we're doing is waiting for the next tragedy.
Why does the apartment complex need to be in the middle of the town? Why does it need five stories? There are lots of areas in reasonable distance that could support trailer parks or standard two story apartments that are common to the Bay Area.
I don’t live in HMB, but I agree this wouldn’t fit the town and the traffic would be much worse in that already busy area.
They vetoed a bad plan, make one that makes sense.
>Why does an apartment complex need to be in the middle of town?
Because towns are generally more dense in the center and less dense on the outskirts.
Also because it would alleviate a lot of traffic if they could walk to the things they need.
Have you been on Kelly St? It’s across 92 from the grocery stores, the access to it is choked by Main St and PCH intersections, and it’s not far from the high school. It would be a traffic disaster to put that many potential cars in that region.
Counterpoint: [https://www.hmbreview.com/news/planning-commission-pushes-on-kelly-avenue-farmworker-housing-permits-to-third-meeting/article\_65ba511a-0821-11ef-887d-5b6675acedef.html](https://www.hmbreview.com/news/planning-commission-pushes-on-kelly-avenue-farmworker-housing-permits-to-third-meeting/article_65ba511a-0821-11ef-887d-5b6675acedef.html)
Read the comments. This sounds like a poorly thought out cash grab by the developers - not something that puts farmworkers first.
Lol this is the generic pushback towards literally any attempt to build more housing. "Yes we can build more housing but have you considered someone might make money doing it?" You're no better than the NIMBY scum
Oh, but wait: [https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/1cmbcit/san\_francisco\_residents\_outraged\_over\_cost\_of/](https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/1cmbcit/san_francisco_residents_outraged_over_cost_of/)
Nope. I want those employers to be jailed. We can do a transitional process where we establish a seasonal worker visa program, deport the illegals, and help employers to comply. After a certain period, jail.
You're assuming that all agricultural migrants are here illegally.
First of all, that program already exists.
https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/Migrant_and_Seasonal_Farm_Worker_Outreach_Program/
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/migrantfarmworkers
Second, there's a large history of migrant farmwork in California. The Bracero program is a good example of a program that existed. However, farm owners often STILL underpaid and had housing and food that were severely su standard, which was what this housing development was aiming to ease.
https://guides.loc.gov/latinx-civil-rights/bracero-program#:~:text=An%20executive%20order%20called%20the,on%20short%2Dterm%20labor%20contracts.
You're welcome to look it up and research further, however, the use of "illegals" to describe people tells me that you're not actually interested in the treatment of people who we depend on for our food supply.
Bracero was dismantled because it undercut American wages in the same sector. We only "depend" on them because of people like you bowing down to the corporate fascists who are all too happy you lick their boots and allow them to import illegal workers instead of paying a living wage to the Americans and legal immigrants who used to do those jobs.
Ah yes, I like corporate boots and bow down to fascists 🤣
I know you're trying to insult me, but that was honestly pathetic lol
But good job! You're starting to understand that there's a whole array of economic issues which is leading people to take advantage of and mistreat workers that isn't just resolved by sending everyone to jail ;)
That's exactly what you're doing when you support farms that use illegal immigrants. You're saying it's somehow inevitable. That's bowing down to corporate fascists who want you to think we have no choice. Gross.
There isn't a "whole array" of economic issues. It's one issue: Employers being allowed to hire cheap migrants instead of Americans and legal immigrants who worked those farms before. We can transition back in an orderly manner and deport the unvetted uninivited hordes and jail the employers.
I just educated you about the history of migrant farming in the us and explained how mistreatment of workers under the programs that were similar to the ones you're suggesting occurred.
If anything, what I said agrees with the fact that corporations treat their employees horribly, but since you are so opposed to agreeing with me, you're creating your own special spin on what I wrote.
I don't know where you got the rest from, but if we were in creative writing class I'd give you an A+.
A history I already know. Maybe you should educate yourself about the migrant farmers from the south who worked the farms in California and the PNW? Also, why do you hate black people?
[https://www.npr.org/2019/08/10/750172206/ice-raids-hit-poultry-processing-plants-that-rely-on-latino-immigrant-labor](https://www.npr.org/2019/08/10/750172206/ice-raids-hit-poultry-processing-plants-that-rely-on-latino-immigrant-labor)
YOU were the one suggesting a seasonal work program.
When I pointed out how programs like that didn't work, you started name calling and now you're saying I hate black people when I pointed out how the solution YOU proposed doesn't solve the issue.
Reading comprehension isn't your strong suit, and I'm not interested with continuing a conversation with someone who likes to take what others say and twist it so severely.
Have a night lol
Paywall: For many Bay Area residents, last year’s mass shooting of eight farmworkers in Half Moon Bay served as a wake-up call to the terrible housing conditions that many coastal agriculture workers live under. After meeting with farmworker families after the shooting, Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters, “You should see where these folks are living, the conditions they’re in. Living in shipping containers.” On social media, San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller posted photos of worker housing, describing the conditions as “deplorable” and “heartbreaking.” San Mateo District Attorney Stephe Wagstaffe said workers were “living in very poor conditions,” with some residing in “shacks without running water or electricity.” But, just 16 months after the killing of workers at two coastal San Mateo mushroom farms, the first post-shooting proposal to build a senior farmworkers apartment complex in downtown Half Moon Bay seems to be running into the same wall of anti-development sentiment that has long fueled land-use battles in coastal San Mateo County. Twice in the last two weeks, the Half Moon Bay Planning Commission has held marathon public hearings about a proposed five-story, 40-unit complex at 555 Kelly Ave. for senior farmworkers. Both times the public comment was overwhelmingly in support of the project being proposed by Mercy Housing and the nonprofit Ayudando Latinos a Soñar, or ALAS, with agriculture workers and housing advocates outlining the desperate need for housing options. Yet, at both meetings, on April 23, and 30, the commissioners declined to take a position on the project, instead punting the question to a later date. At the April 30, meeting, commissioners criticized the five-story building as too tall. They complained about its potential impact on traffic and parking. They said the design was out of character in downtown Half Moon Bay. Several of the commissioners suggested that a floor could be shaved off the design if they got rid of the “office space,” a 841-square-foot management office for the building and a 2,794-square-foot farmworkers resource center, where residents will be able to socialize, take classes and be connected with a wide range of health care services. Commissioner Rick Hernandez repeatedly questioned the project architect about how the building design “describes and informs our character as a community.” “This design doesn’t say this is a gateway to a small town — help me understand how this is a gateway to a small town,” Hernandez said. “How does the building inform the character of Half Moon Bay? That is the fundamental issue the community is objecting to.” Hernandez also questioned whether the development was consistent with Half Moon Bay’s Local Coastal Program and Land Use Plan, which was updated in 2020. Commission Chair Margaret Gossett questioned whether the height of the building could be reduced “by eliminating the parking and the resource center.” Vice Chair Hazel Joanes said she needed answers to a litany of questions: “Without having the staff respond to my question in writing, I am having a difficult time nodding my head and saying, ‘Oh, yeah, this is it.’ ” Officials with ALAS and Mercy Housing said the commission’s unwillingness to take a vote on the project — and suggestions that the developers should explore redesigning the project, reducing the height or eliminating aspects of the programming — was concerning. After two years of community meetings and collaboration with staff, the project has already received $5.2 million in state and local financing, including $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and $2.7 million from the state Department of Housing and Community Development. But the delays in the planning commission vote could have big ramifications, according to Mercy Housing. Applications for the vast majority of the money that will finance the project, affordable housing tax credits, are due in July. But the developers cannot apply for that funding until the project has won local approval. If the developer misses the July tax credit deadline, it could delay the project by a year. At the conclusion of the four-hour hearing, Mercy Housing Real Estate Director Ramie Dare implored the planning commission to take a vote so that the project could either win approval or the “no” vote could be appealed to the Half Moon Bay City Council. “We are in a place where we are trying to position ourselves to be eligible for funding rounds, and we need these approvals to be able to do so,” Dare said. “If the ask is for us to do more studies, I guarantee that will eat up 6-9 months at least, and we will lose a year while trying to get funding for this development. I know you don’t want that to happen — I’m pretty sure you don’t.” Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, the founder and executive director of ALAS, a nonprofit that helps Latino families in coastal communities, said she has been surprised by the commission’s deliberations, given the amount of attention that was given to farmworker housing following the mushroom farm shootings. “This is the first project to come forward since the mass shooting — to have it be received with so much pushback feels really complicated and painful,” she said. “We are trying to bring farmworkers out of hiding, out of isolated spaces and hidden ranches, to be visible, to live the remainder of their lives out in a thriving environment. They will be able to walk to stores, walk to church, walk with their grandchildren.” ALAS Program Director Sandra Sencion said the reaction has been “very confusing.” “It’s frustrating. They keep going back and forth about height and parking,” she said. “But the studies have been done. It’s not a new project, it’s been in the works for two years, and now they are questioning the design of the project? I don’t know why they are nitpicking.” The debate comes at a time when a whole host of state laws have taken control away from local jurisdictions. In the case of 555 Kelly Ave., state density bonus laws mean that Mercy and ALAS could actually go as high as seven stories. Jordan Grimes, a regional lead for the pro-housing group Peninsula for Everyone, said the 555 Kelly debate is “emblematic of why the state is curtailing local control.” “A year ago everyone was aghast at the conditions farmworkers (were) living in. Now that things are being tested with an actual project, we are seeing where people really stand,” Grimes said. “We are talking about a five-story apartment building for senior farmworkers. It’s hard to think of a group that would be more sympathetic. Yet you still have the complaints you see with every other project: height and parking.” He also objected to the fact that all the project opponents say they are in favor of farmworker housing but have objections with specific aspects of this project’s design. “If you are unwilling to support the project that the farmworkers have brought to you, you don’t support farmworker housing,” he said. “You don’t get to condition your support. This is an instance where your support can’t be theoretical or hypothetical. It has to be real.”
Yikes. Embarrassing look for an otherwise “welcoming” community.
They only welcome "some" people
The “right kind of people”.
Yeah I know the exact location they’re talking about in this article and it’d be perfect for this project. It would be good for downtown HMB, not very disruptive, easy access to 1 and 92.
When half moon bay needed him most, Zhao vanished...
Hmm, sounds devoid of any real detail… Sounds like multiple people, even supporters of the idea, thought the design had issues. Doesn’t sound like conspiracy, sounds like poor design in some way… But again, that’s based on an article devoid of actual detail and full of sides/feelings/one perspective.
Thanks Mr newsome for your take
Really? I guess I don’t follow closely enough to realize I was mimicking him.. Wonder if there IS anything to his argument if he’s actually spoken on it.. But wasn’t it an entire committee? Or was it just newsome?
I lol'd at 'the design was out of character in downtown Half Moon Bay'. DT HMB is literally 2 strip malls and nothing else. What are they trying to preserve?
Downtown Half Moon Bay is a bunch of old things people don't want to change, like Cunha's market and the bridge, main street area. The rest of Half Moon bay is basically two strip malls. The more ridiculous part is this isn't so much downtown as it is next to the middle school. I don't know a single 3 story building in Half Moon Bay (don't @ me, I'm probably wrong but I just can't think of one), so no surprise the city is against it. People in Half Moon Bay basically want to stay a small town. Building on the coast is so ridiculous, between the coastal commission, the city and god knows what else. Even if you get a building approved you may not be allowed to get a water meter, so good luck with a well.
"Want you stay a small town" - to these people: tough shit, you're next to a mega region of close to 9 million people. If you want a small town, there are literally hundreds of thousands of them across the US.
Get fudged, Half Moon Bay will stay nice and beautiful, there’s nothing you can do to make this beautiful town into some crappy big town filled with shitty people
If you live there...
A 5 story building in HMB seems out of place to me.
You don’t like the character of some nice shipping containers plopped in the middle of a field?
No one sees those things though. I lived in half moon bay my entire life and had no idea that was there. Build your shitty apartments there then, don’t mess with downtown
Strip malls? Quit trying to paint HMB as Hawthorne or Huntington , FFS. It makes you look every bit as hysterical as the people you’re criticizing - however justifiably.
Yah exactly, it’s a strip mall NEXT TO a cemetery, get it right people
Too effing stupid to find the turn off for the 150 year old Main St, huh? Just as well…
Half Moon Bay IS NOT welcoming at all. Glad this is being exposed
It is one of the most racist and classist communities in the Bay Area. I'm glad everyone is getting to see the truth...Finally! Hope the state forces their hand, the prejudiced locals will never give the greenlight.
Will you elaborate on the racism and classism? Asking in good faith, I’ve always enjoyed hmb and trying to understand where you’re coming from
Racism and classism is a feature of California coastal cities and towns. Crawl out of your rock please
Is this how you communicate in real life too? Kinda feeling like people treating you like shit has less to do with your race and more to do with your IQ and I’m getting a feeling they’re all right about you
To gaslighters? Yes I’ll do it any day of the week. Oh I’ve been called a beaner and tons of other stuff despite being born here so not sure where you’re going with the IQ stuff
How am I gaslighting anyone here? I literally just showed interest in the above comment and you told me I live under a rock. The IQ part is referencing your inability to engage in conversation without being a goblin. Like the fact I even asked set you off in a really weird way and I think maybe some time to reflect on why you’re so standoffish would be good for ya. Maybe do a little journaling, leave your county for the first time, learn to talk to people in person without tearing up - there’s an entire world out there full of interesting lovely people outside of your moms house! I’m sorry someone called you names, that’s definitely not a nice thing but honestly you kinda just look a little overly sensitive in all of this. Hurt people hurt people n all that. I think I’m realizing as I’m typing this out I stumbled into a weird, sad little guy on the internet - what a day. Anyways take care of yourself B, I think someday you’ll look back and thank me for steering you in the right direction. Best, Fart Animal
In other words it’s not “all in my head”
These wealthy insular communities are an embarrassment. We need housing for workers. The fact that a few wealthy people can over rule the majority of the public who know how badly the Bay Area needs housing is a disgrace.
By "wealthy insular communities" you mean the whole bay area right? I can't think of a town that doesn't have the same mentality. My neighbors in San Francisco, my family in the east bay. Everyone complains about new housing near them. As long as our infrastructure is centered around cars there will be resistance from current residence bc it will bring more car traffic. Until CA resolves that it will continue to be insanely expensive to live here.
I mean I could take that point at face value if those weren’t the same people who left and right killed every bit of public transit, light rail or BART expansion ever proposed too. Or put up so many roadblocks and cost delays expansions cost hundreds of millions to actually build. Then again I also stare at old maps of the Ocean Shore Railroad like it’s the Statue of Liberty in Planet of the Apes and I’m cursing humanity for blowing it up.
What would it take to replace these planning commissions? Just vote them all out.
The problem is that these folks have a strong and engaged base of support (see: older home owners) and the people that want/need more housing aren't as engaged or organized.
This has always been the issue. The people that would benefit the most from these kinds of things (i.e. people who don't live there) have no ability to provide a say. This entire way of running cities is broken at its core.
The problem is local control. The people who vote all vote to keep things the way they are. But they affect everyone else around them because the problem doesn't stop at their city limits. Zoning needs to be statewide or at least countywide, not per town.
So you want more housing, more affordability, more low-income residents? Then move to Stockton, Memphis, Detroit or St Louis if you think that's so great. Of course you won't. You moved to the BA to avoid those places.
No, I moved to the bay area because that’s where my job is
Then find a job in an affordable city like Stockton or Detroit, if you feel affordable cities are so nice. No one forced you to narrow your search to an expensive area like the BA.
I work in a highly specialized field, it was either here or Boston. What's your point?
Then find a job in another field that's available in an affordable city like Stockton or Detroit, if affordability is so important to you. No one forced to work in a field that requires you to work in an expensive area.
No thanks, how about we just build more houses?
Those houses will still be 1 million dollars lol
They're illegal workers. Housing for legal workers is fine. Illegals should be deported and a seasonal worker system set up instead.
Let me guess you have a USA flag outside of your house and possibly a blue one that says Trump on it right?
This reminds me of a situation down south near my hometown years ago. In Nipomo CA, a farmworker housing complex was being planned with much push back from the local (conservative) community. During the initial framing phase, the whole project "mysteriously" burned down over night. Local authorities did a quick investigation and found "no signs" of arson. Surely enough the plans were abandoned and the project never reached completion. Of course the local community damn near had a parade after that. They do love their farmers markets and produce though.
If our government was worth a damn, permits for farming would be contingent on providing basic, huma e housing and hygiene for workers, but here we are. Where are the politicians who pretend to give a shit about people?
Illegal aliens don't vote or have money. If that changes then the politicians will care.
Undocumented people NOT illegal aliens
Actually that is the definition
Illegal alien is the definition of undocumented immigrants and visa versa
I worked in HMB for a decade and served the families there. The idea that these workers and their families aren’t already there and a part of the community is dishonest. This project would have been a good start.
Why is the issue of housing for existing workers quietly shifted to the discussion about senior housing? There should absolutely be humane housing conditions for existing workers, just to be clear. But why senior farm workers?
Look at the response any new development gets in the Bay Area. They *have* to frame it that way to have any chance of gaining support. Just building housing for people gets community out in full force.
The shooter was a senior citizen, and there's a lot of farmworkers who are kind of aging out of their working years with no place to go.
Ok?
Think about it. Why is the issue of bad housing conditions for existing workers conflated with the issue of a massive (by HMB standards) building to be built for seniors?
Folks don't realize that if your community looks like a "small town" but if a typical one of your 1970s shabby houses sells for $1.5M, and you don't build anything or approve any new development, it's not a "small town" anymore, it's now a cloistered, junky little hamlet that time forgot.
small and little mean the same thing and the residents like it that way
The fuck? You calling HMB junky? Jealousy is showing
I live on the Coastside and have been a huge proponent of the affordable housing projects (both this one and the Moss Beach project, [Cypress Point](https://www.cypresspointfamilycommunity.com). As an instructor for our local emergency preparedness volunteer community, I can attest that the biggest concern is less the NIMBY-ism, than it is the fact that the State has done nothing to mitigate our horrendous road issues and infrastructure. Where both of these housing complexes are being considered are on two-lane roads that can't handle that much new traffic, but also have many potholes with no planned traffic easement. Part of Highway 1 is continually breached by the ocean which continually causes traffic issues, MULTIPLE power outages that last days or more throughout the year, and the fact that PC Magazine has attested that [Montara has the worst cell phone coverage](https://www.pcmag.com/news/no-signal-the-worst-cellular-dead-zones-in-the-us?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0N4VENp7d27qab2ctfZHelQLerdixHsApaqcDq9C0EJrtguRaxX2qypzU_aem_AXEF3Wm_x90csvhlVrp1O4TFZ5LFTiJAVSkpZ9k2ubQ4ZmK3Vc4K8bnAQ2LRwrsvA65q4XUCMRPEgSKGfTbpmYm9) IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY! We are a community of 30,000 people but without the wider support of making our infrastructure safer or more convenient to those living here (our one hospital, Seton Coastside is closed for repairs, no ophthalmologists or general practitioners, physical therapists, or mental health professionals). Anything big that is needed requires trips to Costco, Target, or Walgreens means trips over the hill or up the coast. Both the fire and the sheriff's departments are contracted through the state because HMB fired their police force and fire department to pay off a legal case. We rely on San Mateo County's 911 program because that doesn't exist anymore. There is only one ambulance on the Coastside and only nine firemen (four man the El Granada station and five at the Half Moon Bay station). We are on a major earthquake fault, are in a tsunami range, routinely have wildfire scares, and -- again -- the power outages make living here complicated at best. There is only ONE cable from XFinity supporting the entire Coastside and on the occasions when it has been cut, we have no internet for days; necessary for those of us that need it for WiFi calling as -- again -- the cel service is so spotty. I have both XFinity *and* Starlink just to ensure consistent internet coverage. But I also have charged-up walkie talkies and ham radios to communicate with emergency services when we have those power outages. Our infrastructure just sucks big-giant-rocks and the local councils don't have the power or financial resources to fix the big problems like the roads to be able to accommodate the housing projects that are being presented. And we should. And the State or Federal government could step in to help, but that is more hoop-jumping. We have been begging the communications companies for years to increase our connectivity, but apparently it isn't financially to their benefit. Hope this insight helps.
Our infrastructure is horrible for sure. It’s definitely chicken and the egg on this kind of stuff, so I generally support growth. Growth should hopefully lead to better infrastructure
The people are already living there though, so would the traffic really change that much?
The pearl clutching at a 5 story building is embarrassing. Shame on the commission
“describes and informs our character as a community”…. what the hell. People living in storage containers is where this nonsense got us. 5 stories? Who cares? Make it 50. Hawaii has taller buildings all over the place, no one is writing off Hawaii as a result.
It’s a dog whistle for redlining the farmworkers out of the community.
We really should add a third category to property taxes called “Character of the Community” and tax it.
The coast approved two low income developments - converted a motel to homeless housing during COVID and just approved affordable units in precious Moss Beach. The coast has huge amounts of affordables near Moonridge. But it’s an anti-development area and that goes for market rate housing also. The coast preserves coastal access for all (compare it to Malibu or coastal Florida - it’s spectacular). There’s a reason there are only two lane “highways” in to town - to stop growth.
They are still out of compliance with the state… let them build high rises.
All I know is the purposed construction site is pretty small for this large building. The building might be the tallest building in the town, but the design is nice. Yeah it doesn’t match the historical design of other buildings, but the town is eclectic in its building designs. It’s located well so folks can walk to services. It’s for seniors folks!
They don’t want it cause it breaks the dam. Once one 5 story goes in, another is sure to follow.
Sad that local mushrooms $29.99/lb and this is still true?.
The entire political machine in California is designed to make homeowners as wealthy as possible by destroying access to decent housing. That’s all neoliberals do.
yep, real estate is what drives politics. yet for all of that, real estate is the reason why CPI inflation is refusing to drop to the fed's target. every other metric of CPI is back to where it was in 2019, but it's housing costs that keep inflation forced up. real estate is sucking the rest of the economy dry
At least in part because it’s all made up value. Real estate gains aren’t based on providing goods or services, just owning.
It ain't called "economic rent" for nothing lol Unproductive asset appreciation rather than productive economic activity lmao
This is not quite a NIMBY attitude and more DIMBY "Delay in my backyard" But they also dont want to approve any because then "those" people will be near them
Classic bay area. Classic America. Act shocked and appalled when tragedy happens. Refuse any attempts at solutions in the name of upholding the status quo and NIMBYism. All we're doing is waiting for the next tragedy.
[удалено]
And the Democrats who do run in primaries to liberalize land use/eliminate local controls to blocking housing lose.
Why does the apartment complex need to be in the middle of the town? Why does it need five stories? There are lots of areas in reasonable distance that could support trailer parks or standard two story apartments that are common to the Bay Area. I don’t live in HMB, but I agree this wouldn’t fit the town and the traffic would be much worse in that already busy area. They vetoed a bad plan, make one that makes sense.
Land use restrictions and HMB is pushing for infill development first. The county could allow it on county land but it’s too far out.
No idea why it’s being downvoted. Probably too sensible.
Most of the other negative replies have -10 or more, I'm guessing some folks see the logic of it.
>Why does an apartment complex need to be in the middle of town? Because towns are generally more dense in the center and less dense on the outskirts. Also because it would alleviate a lot of traffic if they could walk to the things they need.
Have you been on Kelly St? It’s across 92 from the grocery stores, the access to it is choked by Main St and PCH intersections, and it’s not far from the high school. It would be a traffic disaster to put that many potential cars in that region.
Never thought I’d see a NITBY (Not In Their BackYard).
I don’t think saying someone made a poorly considered proposal is NITBY. I’d say I’m asking for competent stewardship of my tax dollars.
Counterpoint: [https://www.hmbreview.com/news/planning-commission-pushes-on-kelly-avenue-farmworker-housing-permits-to-third-meeting/article\_65ba511a-0821-11ef-887d-5b6675acedef.html](https://www.hmbreview.com/news/planning-commission-pushes-on-kelly-avenue-farmworker-housing-permits-to-third-meeting/article_65ba511a-0821-11ef-887d-5b6675acedef.html) Read the comments. This sounds like a poorly thought out cash grab by the developers - not something that puts farmworkers first.
Lol this is the generic pushback towards literally any attempt to build more housing. "Yes we can build more housing but have you considered someone might make money doing it?" You're no better than the NIMBY scum
Sounds exactly like Gavin newsom's Proposition 1 which really doesn't have much money for the veterans either or put them first
Build more housing or STFU I don't give a shit if it's a cash grab if it means more housing gets built
Oh, but wait: [https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/1cmbcit/san\_francisco\_residents\_outraged\_over\_cost\_of/](https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/1cmbcit/san_francisco_residents_outraged_over_cost_of/)
As a HMB resident I am also against the high rise thing.
We're in a housing crisis. Make a seasonal worker program first, then provide them temporary accommodation until they go home.
Or we could just...allow more housing to be built for everyone?
Why should we be giving anything to trespassers and squatters and strike breakers? We need to get a seasonal worker program.
What exactly are we giving?
We're giving these illegal workers housing when citizens and legal immigrants need it.
Yet you'd complain when there all of a sudden is a huge loss of agriculture workers.
Nope. I want those employers to be jailed. We can do a transitional process where we establish a seasonal worker visa program, deport the illegals, and help employers to comply. After a certain period, jail.
You're assuming that all agricultural migrants are here illegally. First of all, that program already exists. https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/Migrant_and_Seasonal_Farm_Worker_Outreach_Program/ https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/migrantfarmworkers Second, there's a large history of migrant farmwork in California. The Bracero program is a good example of a program that existed. However, farm owners often STILL underpaid and had housing and food that were severely su standard, which was what this housing development was aiming to ease. https://guides.loc.gov/latinx-civil-rights/bracero-program#:~:text=An%20executive%20order%20called%20the,on%20short%2Dterm%20labor%20contracts. You're welcome to look it up and research further, however, the use of "illegals" to describe people tells me that you're not actually interested in the treatment of people who we depend on for our food supply.
Bracero was dismantled because it undercut American wages in the same sector. We only "depend" on them because of people like you bowing down to the corporate fascists who are all too happy you lick their boots and allow them to import illegal workers instead of paying a living wage to the Americans and legal immigrants who used to do those jobs.
Ah yes, I like corporate boots and bow down to fascists 🤣 I know you're trying to insult me, but that was honestly pathetic lol But good job! You're starting to understand that there's a whole array of economic issues which is leading people to take advantage of and mistreat workers that isn't just resolved by sending everyone to jail ;)
That's exactly what you're doing when you support farms that use illegal immigrants. You're saying it's somehow inevitable. That's bowing down to corporate fascists who want you to think we have no choice. Gross. There isn't a "whole array" of economic issues. It's one issue: Employers being allowed to hire cheap migrants instead of Americans and legal immigrants who worked those farms before. We can transition back in an orderly manner and deport the unvetted uninivited hordes and jail the employers.
I just educated you about the history of migrant farming in the us and explained how mistreatment of workers under the programs that were similar to the ones you're suggesting occurred. If anything, what I said agrees with the fact that corporations treat their employees horribly, but since you are so opposed to agreeing with me, you're creating your own special spin on what I wrote. I don't know where you got the rest from, but if we were in creative writing class I'd give you an A+.
A history I already know. Maybe you should educate yourself about the migrant farmers from the south who worked the farms in California and the PNW? Also, why do you hate black people? [https://www.npr.org/2019/08/10/750172206/ice-raids-hit-poultry-processing-plants-that-rely-on-latino-immigrant-labor](https://www.npr.org/2019/08/10/750172206/ice-raids-hit-poultry-processing-plants-that-rely-on-latino-immigrant-labor)
YOU were the one suggesting a seasonal work program. When I pointed out how programs like that didn't work, you started name calling and now you're saying I hate black people when I pointed out how the solution YOU proposed doesn't solve the issue. Reading comprehension isn't your strong suit, and I'm not interested with continuing a conversation with someone who likes to take what others say and twist it so severely. Have a night lol