1. Why do you want to run for office and what are your main goals if elected?

Response: When I moved to Palo Alto in 1975, its 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.

With my Planning Commission and business experiences I am prepared me to address the challenges currently facing Palo Alto. I will act to ensure that government gives clear policy direction, acts in the public good, and minimizes costs. I will focus on maintaining and attracting retail to restore our tax base, and balance housing demand with the ability to provide the city services necessary to continue the quality of life that makes Palo Alto a desirable place to live and work.

2. What civic/community activities have you been involved with?

Response: Commissioner for 4 years of the Planning & Transportation Commission; Project Director; Palo Alto History Museum; Co-chair; South of Forest Working Group; Vice President, Palo Alto Woman's Club; board member, Palo Alto Historical Association; board member, University South Neighborhood Association; Alumna, Leadership Palo Alto

3. What organizations/individuals have supported your candidacy?

Response: As it is early in the endorsement process, there are no organizational endorsements. Following is a partial list of early endorsers.
See Supporters.

4. Do you support the creation of housing in your community? Do you support the creation of affordable housing? How should your community meet the affordable housing requirements mandated by the state? Where would you approve new housing developments in your community?

Response: ABAG identified Palo Alto's greatest housing need as affordable and attainable housing. A sustainable community needs to provide access to housing for its work force. I propose creating an affordable housing zoning overlay to provide a predictable, efficient process and applying that overlay to appropriate locations near transit and business districts.

5. What are your thoughts on increasing housing density in your community? Where would housing at higher densities be appropriate in your community?

Response: See responses to questions 1 and 4.

6. How would you balance the need for housing and open space in your community?

Response: Palo Alto is "built out" in that it has very little undeveloped land. Impact fees collected as part of development projects do not assure dedication of parks near new housing given the shortage of available land. Given this situation, large housing projects should be providing public open space. To lessen the potential for even greater demand for open space, private and public open space policies must be preserved in commercial and housing projects. As stated previously, it is important to balance housing demand with the ability to provide the city services, such as parks, needed to continue the quality of life that makes Palo Alto desirable.

7. What are your thoughts regarding mandatory historic preservation requirements for residential homeowners? How should decisions on what qualifies as historic be made?

Response: The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is the overarching authority governing review of the environmental in California. It identifies historic properties as cultural resources and, as such, there are legal considerations regarding alterations and demolition of historic properties. As communities evolve, I think it is important to preserve the best of the past while also accommodating the needs of its residents. Historic preservation is often misinterpreted to mean no change. Communities that preserve their historic neighborhoods often find them to be the most desirable, with the highest property values. Historic commercial districts often serve as economic engines for towns. I believe the best approach to preservation in Palo Alto is a combination of incentives and requirements, again noting that CEQA drives most of the requirements here.

CEQA refers to qualifying standards used to identify historic properties. Using those criteria, qualified preservation professionals should make determinations.

8. There have been suggestions that certain regulations be enforced at the point of sale. For example, water heaters must be strapped to the wall before a transfer of real property is made. How do you feel about these "point-of-sale" ordinances?

Response: Without other identified mechanisms or opportunities to monitor life safety issues such as working smoke detectors and strapped water heaters, some point-of-sale ordinance regulations seem to be reasonable requirements. I understand some communities go further than life safety issues and disclosures which, based on my current knowledge, seem to have potential to be quite costly without commensurate benefit.

9. In these challenging economic times, many local municipalities are looking for ways to increase revenue. What are your thoughts on taxes specifically targeted at homeowners, such as parcel taxes, benefit assessment districts, and transfer taxes? What is your position regarding taxes on businesses like the business license tax?

Response: Understanding that these are difficult economic times for many municipalities, including Palo Alto, I also have concern about people being taxed/assessed to the point that their lives are impacted. Also, combined with the considerable rise in utility rates, the proposition of more increases in these costs of living makes it more difficult for young families, those on fixed incomes, and lower income workers to live in this community. Regarding a business tax, I support a business registry that may carry with it a small, cost-recovery fee to track the type of services, turnover, vacancies, length of vacancies, etc. Nearly all municipalities have such a mechanism to track business activities and thus assist in maintaining a healthy business environment.

10. What is your position on rent control?

Response: I think a reasonable way to maintain affordability is to have a sound zoning ordinance such as Palo Alto's ground floor protections for retail in its commercial areas and to encourage affordable housing and retention of smaller living units.

11. What is your view on private property owner's rights as they relate to the planning process and community interests? Should there be more or less restrictions on homeowners as they renovate or expand their homes?

Response: I believe everything should be considered in balance, a balance of private and public rights, for example. Zoning was invented to protect the public's health, safety and quality of life.

What I think Palo Alto needs is a more efficient, predictable process for both the applicant and the public. This is achievable by more closely following existing rules and by achieving better coordination among the various city departments that review applications in order to relieve much of the frustrations of applicants. Process inefficiency is the largest complaint I hear.

12. Is there any additional information you would like to tell us? You may attach an additional sheet, resume, or campaign literature if desired.