Letter to the Editor: The Facts on Measure KK

The Masonic Home recently sent out a mailer with the title “The Facts about Measure KK”. I think the title should have been “Misleading Facts”, as what is stated in the flyer is misleading, at best.

The core of Measure KK are the changes that the measure proposes for the General Plan and Hillside Area Plan. The Masonic Home is saying a lot in the flyer, but the only wording of the changes is what the voters are voting on.

The flyer says that the Measure is about “strengthening protections against hillside development.” There is nothing in the changes that will add any additional protections to what is already in place. The Masonic Home is trying to sell the Union City Residents something that they already have.

The flyer says that the “measure sets strict limits on the hight of buildings and the housing density.” The only wording in the changes in regards to housing density is “low density.” What defines low density is set by the City and not the measure. The only limits on building heights is “the City’s height limits as set forth in the City’s Zoning Ordinance.” Again, this is set by the City and not the measure.

The flyer says that the measure “provides land for additional public park space, opens public access to the Dry Creek...” There is absolutely no working in the changes that address any additional park space or public access to land.

The voters really needs to read the key wording of the measure and read the exact changes that it makes to the General Plan. The Masonic Home does not serve Union City residents by sending out misleading flyers that have misleading facts about the measure.

Timothy Swenson
Union City, CA 94587