There has been huge controversy over the possibility of Bay Meadows Race Track closing.  The announcement came down yesterday that the track will close in November.  What does that mean for San Mateo and the surrounding communities?  More housing.  To me, it’s great news!  The plan in place by the City of San Mateo, for the 83 acres of land is well thought out.  It’s going to be mixed use:  Businesses, Shopping and, drum roll….housing.  The thing we so need the most around here.  Housing! Single family homes and townhouse.  Housing! This is what San Mateo County has a shortage of and what the county needs. The Bay Meadows Land Development Company has a well thought out plan.

People should be delighted. but there’s a group, The Friends of Bay Meadows, who has fought against this proposed development for a couple of years. This group has wanted to keep the track up and running, or to  declare it an historical place. A noble idea but now that the State of California Racetrack authority has mandated a special kind of track material must be used on all tracks by November of 2007 the Bay Meadows Racetrack doesn’t want to invest the $10+ million needed to put it in place. Therefore, they’re closing the track. End subject.

So here’s what we can expect to see in the next couple of years. 1250 housing units, 1.4 million square feet of office and retail space, 15 acres of parks and the CalTrain station that serves Hillsdale and Bay Meadows combined into one large station serving the needs of southern San Mateo and the Bullet Train. Height limits of no more than 4 stories in the residential area and 5 stories near the train. Look for some new things in the development with parks behind homes rather than backyards and perhaps a village feel.

The City of San Mateo finalized a plan for Bay Meadows back in 2005. The first part of this development was completed as Park Place Bay Meadows with the headquarters of Franklin-Templeton occupying the land where the practice track once stood.  And, Whole Food market, Left Bank, Pasta Pomodoro, as well as other shops now sits.  Over 500 apartments were built.  It’s a lively and vibrant area.

Both the Sierra Club and the Leage of Women Voters have said that the Bay Meadows development is one of the best new communities in the country.  We have the opportunity to develop a vibrant community for our area.  We should be rejoicing at this occasion.  I am.  You should, too.