My supporters and I believe that we are growing much too fast, and that we are at risk of losing the small town, rural character of Morgan Hill that makes it such a wonderful place to live.
We need to band together to change that before it’s too late.
I firmly stand for slower, more responsible residential growth; one that promotes a fiscally sustainable community and does not overstretch our public services or lose valuable natural resources.
Our greenbelts, spectacular views, and agricultural land are at risk of being lost to out of control development. We need to find a way to preserve them before they’re gone forever, and plan for a green, sustainable town.
The last recessionary years should have taught us to be more cautious about rampant growth and its consequences. We need to plan smarter and go slower. Therefore, I am proposing a lower responsibile population growth target of 1% (max) year-over-year between 2020-2035. This is about half of the current growth.
Such planning also will help to ensure that our wonderful City can keep up with its infrastructure, its services and schools.
As Planning Commissioner I opposed major annexation projects such as the Oak Meadows project, and the South East Quadrant (SEQ) annexation projects that would have led to unnessecary sprawl . I advocated for a more holistic plan for the entire SEQ as well as strong agricultural (mitigation) program.
How would we pay for the AG mitigation program as land prices will accelerate to rise once annexations of land will happen? What would be impacts on traffic, schools, city services and water conservation? I believe that we can do better than the City proposed.
Together, with the City, the county and landowners, as well as other interested groups and agencies, we can work out a better and more innovative plan!