Of course, there is room for urban planning. But it's quite telling that none of these projects are starting even in the "downtown" areas adjacent to caltrain

Of course, there is room for urban planning. But it's quite telling that none of these projects are starting even in the "downtown" areas adjacent to caltrain stops, which is exactly where you want growth to happen. If a peninsula city actually wanted to prevent sprawl, they'd build up the urban core rather than force people to commute from more permissive cities in the east bay.