The questions were prepared by the Los Altos - Mountain View League of Women Voters and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Vision, Building design, Short term issues

Click on a name for other candidate information.

Answer from Sandra L. "Sandy" Humphries:

My vision is to maintain the Rural Country Atmosphere, that brought us all here to build our dream homes, while incorporating the hightechnology needs of Silicon Valley. Adjust for ample green spaces between properties as homes grow larger, this prevents excessive fencing keeping an open country look. Planting wild life corridores and maintaining healthy eco systems to suppport and direct wildlife. prevent sick animals and lessen their intrusion. Open or no fencing especially along creeks allows the wildlife to follow the same pathes they have always traveled rather then jumping into fenced yards in bewilderment.

I invision a town that uses Smart Planning along with it's technological abilities to come up with creative solutions to drainage problems like using paver stones instead of asphalt for driveways allowing the water to permeate through our surfaces instead of flood onto our neighbors land.

Look into the possibility of undergrounding utilities is important, but I believe the wave of the future is going to be fiber optics and this is some thing to be explored by a staff of professionals.

I invision a town that celebrates it's ethnic diversities finds it's many commonalities and unites in educating through topical lecture series, cultural art exhibits or culinary pot lucks.

Answer from Bob Fenwick:

My vision for Los Altos Hills is keeping the rural character and our basic rules of development, but with visual and cultural enhancements. First, I would put in place a long-term program for undergrounding utility wires. This project would be initiated using funds from various entities, including the utilities. Second, I would like to see improved Parks and Recreation facilities and programs and would strongly support proposals from the Parks and Recreation Committee in this regard. Finally, my vision encompasses further infrastructure improvements, such as to roads and pathways.

Answer from Emily Cheng:

Los Altos Hills is a residential community amid rolling hills and open space. Its one acre minimum zoning, and reasonably rural environment, yet closeness to town, makes it one of the most desirable places to live. I would love to preserve this uniqueness. I want to keep all the existing building codes, but have stricter landscape mitigation control. I would like to make sure the residents receive the latest technological advancements in communications. I want better maintenance programs for roadside paths, while making off-road pathways voluntary. I will listen to residents' input and represent the majority of them. I will make Los Altos Hills even more desirable in years to come.

Answer from Evan T. Wythe:

My vision for Los Altos Hills is a government that predictably and fairly applies our ordinances and works to increase resident satisfaction when requiring Town services. I would like to end the past subjectivity and micromanagement of building permit applications, and concentrate on services and infrastructure that will make our Town a better place to live. My agenda would include a 5-year implementation plan for improving our aging technology infrastructure of frayed overhead power lines and splintered power poles. We need to seriously investigate undergrounding our utilities to beautify our countrified Town, ensure that cable and Internet services meet the demands of the 21st century, and provide templates for residents wanting sewer services.

Answer from Mike O'Malley:

Los Altos Hills is a unique combination of a semi-rural setting set in close proximity to an incredibly vibrant business and educational center. I would like to see that rural nature maintained, while, at the same time, encourage residents to improve and upgrade their existing homes. To accomplish this, the Town needs to have a building code and planning process that is applied in an consistent manner to both existing residences and new homes. Residents and builders need to be able to understand the codes and also know that these codes will be applied to all homeowners. By having written rules that apply to everyone, residents can be assured that their property and privacy rights are being protected.

Answer from Mike O'Malley:

The consistent application of the existing building codes, which are well thought out, should provide builders and developers a framework within which to plan and construct new homes. I believe that we should allow the planners and the Planning committee to work with those individuals who wish to build new homes and allow variances to the codes only when those variances do not infringe upon other residents and the environment.

Answer from Bob Fenwick:

The impact of development can be reduced by strongly encouraging residents to use highly qualified architects, civil engineers, landscape architects, and contractors. Their plans and work will continue to be carefully reviewed by appropriate Town staff for compliance with Town ordinances. Our site drainage regulations should be reviewed and, if found in need of revision, changed to reduce detrimental effects on neighbors. Homes with smaller footprints will generally create fewer drainage problems; perhaps more generous basement regulations could lead to smaller average footprints for homes in the town.

Answer from Evan T. Wythe:

I fully support our existing Municipal Code, with one-acre minimums, that has resulted in the wonderful countrified and rural town that we live in. I would favor increasing setbacks of new larger homes and would also support enhanced landscaping of these larger homes to lessen their visual impact. Drainage issues affect us all, both on local property runoff and downstream collection systems. We need to enhance the role of civil engineers in assuring our drainage systems meet the needs of our evolving hillside community.

Answer from Sandra L. "Sandy" Humphries:

The very good solution is to incorporate Smart Planning, incorporating health, safety and environmental issues into the process. Some examples are; using the paver stones or grass creet blocks instead of asphalt helps water runoff, using a slope density formula on hillsides using meandering roadways that have less flow through traffic and connecting them with pathways. This is a safer healthier environment to raise your family and allows for more open space areas.

Answer from Emily Cheng:

Landscape mitigation is very important. I support having stricter landscape control by increasing landscape deposits and ensuring that adequate landscaping is installed. On lots greater than one acre, I support conducting a study to increase the setbacks to reduce the visual impact of larger homes from neighboring homes. I support underground utilities, which will give a more open feeling, while improving the visual impact. I recognize drainage is a major unsolved problem in our town. I will create comprehensive neighborhood plans, rather than band-aid solutions of ineffective piecemeal approaches, to resolve the drainage erosion.

Answer from Bob Fenwick:

Our most pressing issue is hiring a highly qualified City Manager. In all likelihood the next City Council will be involved in this selection process. Also, the Parks and Recreation Committee has made a good start on creating recreational programs for the town's residents and should be strongly encouraged to come up with additional programs. Third, the Council should direct the City Manager to recommend members of a "Joint Undergrounding Utilities Conversion Planning Committee" which will prioritize projects and enable the beginning of our undergrounding program. Last but not least, we need to work through differences among our residents so that we can proceed to a better community for all of us.

Answer from Mike O'Malley:

1) The high turnover of Town employees, particularly the planning department, needs to be addressed. We need to udnerstand the problems that cause such turnover and try to create an environment that encourages emloyees to view the employment by Los Altos Hills as a positive and long-term experience.

2) Existing pathways need to be better maintained and improved. The pathway system is a valuable asset of the community and need to be preserved.

3) Increase the amount of planned recreational activities for residents, especially children. The Town needs to provide more planned recreational activities.

Answer from Sandra L. "Sandy" Humphries:

Updating the Land Use Element by using the Town Wide Survey questionnaire prepared by the Land Use Committee a non partisan committee. This questionnaire would give us an idea of what items in the towns growth process the residents want to see adjustments in. Then go back with spacific ideas and town wide meetings to make the adjustments needed.

Rebuilding a town staff of experts who are knowledgable articulate and individual thinkers. This is vital. Our current backlog for lack of expert staff is hurting the progressive ideas we are trying to implement.

Answer from Emily Cheng:

There is an influx of new residents in our town, mostly families with young children who desire greater recreational activities. I initiated the creation of the Parks and Recreation Committee, dedicated to developing recreational programs and activities for families with children. These programs will continue year round. Also, we are in the process of rewriting the land use elements of the General Plan. I support a Town-wide survey, that will be sent out to all residents before the end of the year, to provide input for rewriting the General Plan.

Answer from Evan T. Wythe:

I would immediately implement plans to televise City Council and Planning Commission meetings and allow residents to easily follow the agendas and activities. We need to undertake a thorough review of our Town ordinances (in concert with a Town-wide survey to solicit resident inputs on any needed changes) to ensure that they are understandable, clear, objective, and meet the needs of our residents. I would also direct our staff to keep up with our commitment to install and maintain roadside paths and would seek resident input on off-road paths that our Town still needs.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.