Candidate for
Member, City Council; Town of Los Altos Hills

Where Emily Stands on the Issues

On Parks & Recreation Committee:

Emily initiated the creation of the Parks and Recreation Committee, which is dedicated to developing new recreational programs and activities for families and their children. This Committee has overwhelming support from the residents. The Committee has organized summer programs for children and an adult and child artist workshop.

On Pathway Management:

Los Altos Hills has a unique pathway system, which is a major attraction and asset of our town. Emily strongly supports the roadside pathway system, but believes that a much improved maintenance program should be implemented. However, she feels that additional requests for off-road pathway easement dedications, which may be invasive to residents' privacy and compromise safety, should not be mandatory. Current off-road paths and off-road path easements that are not active should be reviewed.

On Technology Infrastructure:

Emily recognizes that Los Altos Hills residents are entrepreneurial and technologically savvy and she is committed to devoting energy and resources to assure that residents receive the latest technological advancements in communications. She has supported the development of an underground utilities plan, broadband Internet connectivity, and televising Council and Planning Commission meetings.

On Updating the General Plan:

Los Altos Hills is in the process of updating the Land Use Element of the General Plan. This element deals with all major home development, ordinances and policies. Emily strongly supports the upcoming town-wide survey, which will be designed to gain residents' input so that the majority opinion will be reflected in the General Plan update.

On Drainage Problems:

Emily recognizes that a major unsolved problem is the town's drainage system. The increase in runoff water is outgrowing the existing drainage pipes, thus causing erosion and mudslides on existing drainage ditches. Currently these ditches are not well maintained either by the city or the homeowners. She will work to create comprehensive neighborhood plans, rather than the existing band-aid solutions of ineffective piecemeal approaches.

On the Issue of Public Vs Private Road:

About 50% of the town's roads are private. If there is enough evidence that the road has been dedicated, then the road is considered public. If there were doubt, Emily would like to give the benefit of the doubt to the resident, and accept the road as public, in its current condition. If it is clearly a private road, but the residents want to make it public, then they can bring the road to town standard and dedicate to the town as public road.

On The Role of the Planning Commission:

Emily believes the role of the Planning Commission should be to study, review and then make recommendations to the City Council on town-wide planning and infrastructure issues. She also believes that the Planning Commission should continue to review resident applications that are complicated and do not meet the criteria for fast-track. She is a staunch advocate of the fast-track process for new homes and remodels, which meet town ordinances and have no substantive neighborhood opposition, thus eliminating the need for review by the Planning Commission.

On Efficient and Fair Government:

Emily strongly supports preserving and enforcing the town's existing development ordinances. She is committed to improving neighborhood harmony by removing subjectivity from the planning process and administering our ordinances with fairness and consistency to all residents. She believes this will bring people together by reducing conflict and creating friendlier neighborhoods.