Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 09/28/1998 All articles from this issue

LAH council candidates take clear stands

printer friendly version

By Carol Tiegs

Special to the Town Crier

The future of Los Altos Hills off-road pathways and the role of its planning commission were hot topics at a Sept. 28 candidates' night sponsored by the Los Altos Hills Civic Association. Council candidates Toni Casey, the incumbent, Steve Finn, Dot Schreiner and Jim Steiner presented their positions and fielded questions from a packed-house audience at Los Altos Hills Town Hall. The four are vying for two seats open on the town council.

Both Casey and Finn voiced support for putting more dollars into maintenance and expansion of the town's pathways that border roadways. "Developers should be required to provide on- and off-road pathways," Finn said in his opening remarks. Both also stated that granting the town easements for additional off-road pathways should be voluntary on the part of property owners.

"Our pathways set us uniquely apart," Steiner said. "They can't be voluntary, but there must be consensus that meets the cares and concerns of impacted neighbors."

Steiner said the town is reviewing the pathway system and many neighbor concerns could be addressed in that process.

Schreiner said that most of the town's pathways were acquired through subdivision. "The majority of Pathway Committee recommendations are for maintaining on-road pathways," she said.

Asked directly if it was her agenda to abolish the Los Altos Hills Planning Commission and whether that would overburden the town council, Casey said, "State law mandates a planning function, but the council would do (that function)."

Casey envisions the council handling site development approvals on new homes and large remodels, she said.

She sited a similar proposal made in 1990 by Councilman Bill Siegel.

While Finn suggested empowering the town staff - "the best we've ever had" - in the site development process, Steiner cautioned that "staff will move on."

"It's not a good management structure to eliminate the planning commission," Steiner said. "Improve it but don't throw it out."

"The planning commission function is to represent and protect not just the applicant but the neighbors living next to them," Schreiner said.

The candidates agreed that the campaign was not about "no development vs. pro development."

"What people want is careful development," Schreiner said. "The site development ordinances and guidelines set minimums and maximums."

"The issue is property rights vs. balancing with neighbors," Casey said.

Schreiner stated her platform is a commitment "to preserving open space and privacy for each of our residents, balancing needs and working together in seeking solutions to common concerns."

Casey and Finn stressed more communication to residents in their platforms. "I want to involve more residents, find out what they want and make it as easy as possible for them to get involved," Finn said.

Casey supports a town survey and more town-wide mailings to residents.

In addition to revising the site development process, she wants revisions to the building permit fee process, calling fees "too high."

Steiner stressed consensus building and fiscal responsibility in his platform.

His specific goals include "a plan for replacement of our infrastructure, continuing to upgrade the town's technology base, and encouraging greater participation on commissions and committees."

The civic association held a second candidate's forum last night.