Questionnaire:

1. Historically, the club considers your past record as the best indicator of your future concern for the environment. What have you done to protect natural resources and the environment?

Response:
a) As a member of the Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission for the past 4 years, I have focused on several aspects of environmental responsibility and compatibility.

b) Baylands and foothills projects: I have advocated for ways to ensure and further maximum permeable area of parcels, tree retention, compatible and appropriate plantings and designs that minimize lighting, reflection, and other incompatible visual impacts with the setting.

c) Based on my prior accepted amendments for a project, the standard conditions of approval for foothills projects have now been revised to include these conditions which address, for example, staging of construction in sensitive areas, transport of oak tree debris, and leach field construction which minimizes root disturbance.

d) In reviewing projects in the urban area, I try to address automobile trip reduction, including alternate transportation means such as bicycle and shuttle. For example, I added to a recent project the dedication of a pedestrian/bicycle path that will connect the east side of Bayshore Freeway with the Baylands as a condition of approval.

e) I emphasized the need to focus on waste reduction rather than on recycling in the recent discussion of an Environment Services Center which led to Acterra's formation of the Zero Waste Task Force of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties of which I am a member. Acterra's initiative led to the City of Palo Alto adopting a Zero Waste Policy. I am also a member of Palo Alto's Zero Waste Task Force.

f) I was a long time proponent of Palo Alto's adopting a construction and demolition ordinance.

g) In my home environment, I practice minimum energy usage and maximum waste reduction measures.

2. What do you regard as the major environmental and conservation issues facing Palo Alto and the Bay Area as a whole?

Response (in no precise order):

a) Water conservation

b) Retention of and construction of smaller, more affordable housing units rather than larger, market rate housing units to the extent feasible. Affordability of housing is necessary for a sustainable community to house a working force and to minimize and eliminate automobile trips.

c) Waste reduction

d) Retention of open space in the face of development pressures

e) Air quality, especially related to automobile emissions

What will you do about these if you are elected?

Response:
a) Move toward a phased-in "green" permitting system which would require inclusion of conservation measures in development projects

b) Require better enforcement of Comprehensive Plan policies and programs that retain smaller housing units, especially rental units. I will also forward the idea of affordable housing overlays in appropriate locations so proposals will have predictable outcomes for the community as well as the affordable housing developer without the need for lengthy and expensive exception processes.

c) Assure that Palo Alto completes a Zero Waste implementation plan

d) Maintain urban growth boundaries. Prioritize the need for the completion of the Baylands Master Plan and revision of the hillside zoning code.

e) Continue to encourage alternative forms of transportation such as described in 1 d)

3. What is your plan to help Palo Alto reduce its greenhouse gas emissions? Does Palo Alto have a baseline measurement of the CO2 emissions?

a) Plan for reduction of vehicle dependence by creation of and improvement of pedestrian/bicycle paths, encourage use of transportation demand management programs, locate the more denser housing near true transit corridors and stations

b) Palo Alto does not have a baseline measurement of CO2 emissions to the best of my knowledge.

4. Tell us about your philosophy of land use planning. How should Palo Alto guide development to meet future needs of new job opportunities, market rate and affordable housing, shopping, and parks and public spaces?

Response: My basic rule is "zone for what you want." While this may seem obvious, all too often zoning assumes market trends will not change in ways that will negatively impact the unprotected. In Palo Alto, such gaps in zoning have allowed the construction of larger than intended homes with only minimal granny units in the SOFA area near downtown. Gaps have allowed the removal of numerous small homes and cottages on single lots that were replaced with one large more expensive home, thus making our community less sustainable and less affordable. Several years ago, the City added ground floor protections for retail because it was being lost to office use due to no previous exclusions of office in the zoning laws. More recently, such protections were necessarily added in Midtown and the Charleston Shopping Center.

I support New Urbanist approaches of locating and encouraging housing and services close by with easy access to parks and pubic facilities. Most successful communities and neighborhoods reflect these basic planning concepts.

Please also see previous responses regarding housing in 2 b) above.

5. Recycling for residents and businesses in Palo Alto has been available since the early 1980s and yet many residents and businesses are not yet recycling or reducing the waste they generate. Palo Alto staff will be bringing a Zero Waste Policy and Strategic Plan for Council adoption this Fall (tentatively September 12, 2005). Adoption of this plan could include recommendations mandating certain recycling behaviors and/or banning materials from being placed in garbage containers or brought to the Palo Alto landfill. How do you feel about the Zero Waste Policy and Strategic Plan and will you actively work for zero waste for Palo Alto? And would you support the City becoming a state and national leader on advocating for extended producer responsibility the way the City of San Francisco has become?

Response: My involvement with zero waste as described above is indicative of my long-standing commitment to reducing waste. I believe Palo Alto was a stronger, more innovative environmental leader 20 and 30 years ago. I would like to see the City regain that leadership role. Based on history and the community's strong participation in recycling programs and green energy programs, I believe our community would support strides in this direction.

At this writing the Strategic Plan has not been finalized and so I cannot yet commit to its content. I know San Francisco and other cities have laid groundwork for economically sound zero waste programs for businesses and I would like Palo Alto at a minimum to come up to par with them.

6. The Police Department is proposing to build a new facility. What Green Building attributes do you think should be included in the plans? For example, solar power is one element that might be added. Do you support the installation of PV in a new Police Department building? ba) What about retrofilling other City properties with solar generating systems ?

Response: PV installation, operable windows, water conservation, heating efficiency, and use of sustainable materials, as examples, in new construction as well as in retrofits are desirable, and they should be employed in ways that do not otherwise negatively impact the environment. For example, the City has public facilities in open space areas such as the Baylands and Foothills Park, and compatible design should be employed there to balance potentially competing environment goals.

7. Tell us about your campaign readiness (funding, volunteers, and organization).

I decided to run the week of July 18. Even with that late decision, I have a top-notch campaign committee.

My Honorary Chair is Former Palo Alto Mayor Gail Woolley, my campaign co-chairs are Joe Shakes and former Palo Alto Councilmember Emily Renzel. Anne Ercolani, a CPA, is my Treasurer.

Former Palo Alto Mayor Gary Fazzino and Planning Commissioner Pat Burt are campaign advisors.

Other members of my committee are former Councilmember Enid Pearson, Sheri Furman, Harriett Shakes, Annette Glanckopf & Tom Ashton, Dorothy Bender, Ancy Fletcher, Betsy Allyn, Tom Jordan, Betty Britton, Len Filppu, Kirt Kelty, Elaine Meyer, Arthur Keller, and Bob Roth.

Our fundraising letter is just now being mailed, and we have already received over $3000 in donations. We expect to place 500 lawn signs and reach every voter through precinct walking and mailing. We expect to run a vigorous campaign.

8. Please list your endorsements.

Honorable Betsy Bechtel
Honorable John Berwald
Honorable Paul Collacchi
Honorable LaDoris Cordell
Honorable Gary Fazzino
Honorable Ellen Fletcher
Honorable Hillary Freeman
Honorable Judy Kleinberg
Honorable Enid Pearson
Honorable Emily Renzel
Honorable Dick Rosenbaum
Honorable Steve Schmidt
Honorable Lanie Wheeler
Honorable Gail Woolley

See Supporters

9. List your campaign contributions over $ 50.00 with the names of contributors.

Emily Renzel
Margaret Feuer
Karen Holman
Thomas Jordan
Tom & Ellen Wyman
Joe Shakes
Robert Roth
Gail Slocum
Dave Pine
Gretchen Kriss
Karen White
Patrick Burt
Annette Glanckopf
Enid Pearson
Margo Schmid
$100
$300
$100
$100
$300
$100
$1000
$100
$100
$100
$250
$100
$100
$150
$100

10. Please include below an exact copy of your ballot statement as submitted to the County at filing.

Occupation: Consultant; Small Business Owner

Education and qualifications:
BA, Graphic Arts, University of Arkansas; Planning & Transportation Commission; Project Director, Palo Alto History Museum; Co-chair, South of Forest Working Group; VP, Woman's Club; Palo Alto Historical Assn.; University South Neighborhood Assn.; Leadership Palo Alto.

When I moved here in 1975, Palo Alto's parks, neighborhoods, public facilities, vibrant retail centers, and environmental leadership were celebrated. Today, economic trends and budget problems are eroding these valuable assets. I am dedicated to preserving Palo Alto as a dynamic, livable community.

My Planning Commission and business experiences have prepared me to address today's challenges: 1) Council Leadership - ensuring that government is accountable to the public; gives clear policy direction, and minimizes costs; 2) Economic Health - maintaining and attracting retail to restore our tax base; 3) Quality of Life - balancing housing demand with needed city services; respecting neighborhood character.

A sustainable Palo Alto depends on diversity, affordability, business vitality and environmental responsibility. I offer proven commitment to these values. I would be honored to serve you.

www.karenholmanforcitycouncil.org