Vision Statement
Cupertino is an inclusive and balanced community with a transparent government, healthy environment, excellent schools, robust employment, recreation spaces, and high quality of life.
Platform
Housing and Jobs
The city of Cupertino has one of the best jobs to housing ratios in the area and has entitled 3,457 residential units, far above and beyond the 1,064 residential units required by RHNA. Please see my blog post for more information.
Transportation
Situated between two major freeways which serve to bring in commuters from the east to job centers northwest of us, while being a jobs center in our own right, provides us with some unique challenges. I support regional solutions which provide Cupertino with improvements which Measure B promised, collaboration with tech giants, and a more creative synthesis of ideas for future transit. Plans for improvements have been started again and again, with no solid direction. In fact, with tech companies providing their own bus systems, we have moved further from having a public regional transit system. Meaningful synthesis of existing and future transit plans, with all of the stakeholders, is needed to form a concrete framework for the future.
Recreation and Park Space
The pandemic has brought into clear focus the need for ample space for social distancing. I recognize the park land equity issue and have spoken about the need for balance within the community. The land at Lawrence Mitty has finally been purchased and that is a meaningful first step towards connecting the bike path along Lawrence with adding more than 7 acres of new park space. This area will need to be planned and developed with an eye towards addressing the site’s challenges.
Library Expansion
One of the most exciting developments in Cupertino is the approval of the Library Expansion to meet the urgent needs of the community. As construction can sometimes get off track, I will work to make sure this project is delivered to the public, bringing the services provided in line with the needs of the community.
The Environment
Locally, being bordered by the Lehigh Cement plant and Stevens Creek Quarry, we have had a history of environmental challenges due to the nature and proximity of these facilities along with having two major freeways and several arterials, and being south of at least 5 refineries and the major Port of Oakland. As Chair of the Environmental Review Committee I brought the first training sessions to both that committee and the Planning Commission to educate these bodies on CEQA.
Equity
Cupertino residents enjoy a very diverse community which thrives on our strong work ethic and open-mindedness towards others. Our students become our future leaders and innovators, deserving of our support and assurance that they will have equitable academic opportunities commensurate with their efforts. We need our life-long learners to have continued choices for their academic interests at the highest level. We must support diversity especially among our largest employers and provide affordable housing to increase opportunities for more inclusion.