League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Laura Macias Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Mountain View

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What strategies would you use to try to meet the fair share housing needs allocated to Mountain View for the new Housing Element currently under development, particularly the 571 units to be affordable to those earning less than 50% of area median income ("AMI")* and the 388 units to be affordable to those earning less than 80% of AMI? Please prioritize these strategies according to which you think would be most effective for Mountain View. *AMI is $106,100 for a family of four, so 50% of AMI for a family of four is $53,050 and 80% is $84,880.

I think that Mountain View is a model for other cities in building homes close to transit and travel points. Our city density exceeds by a significant per cent that of neighboring cities who also are situated along the same rail, bus and expressway routes. Mountain View stands as a leader in building both residential and commercial projects. After serving on the City Council and the Environmental Planning Commission, I can look at what affordable housing strategies have not worked and what can work going forward.

I think that we need to fast track Affordable Housing and so called "Attainable Housing" projects so that those can move ahead rather than waiting for housing projects to come in the right order, which they never will.

In the past 13 years, as Commissioner and Councilmember/Mayor, I have seen mostly one price range of housing go through. We need to encourage affordable housing projects by the process of fast tracking.

2. AB32 requires substantial cuts in GHG emissions by the city and by the residents of the city. What initiatives do you think the city can take to meet these mandates?

Green House Gas Emissions can be reduced by any number of programs with incentives that encourage the city infrastructure itself, the residents and businesses to do more pro-actively.

3. What city resources do you think should be applied to improve the health of Mountain View citizens? For instance, describe how zoning can be used to improve the built environment and how recreation can be used to improve physical and mental fitness. Discuss other city services that relate to citizen health.

The city has long advocated the trail and park system and recreation services. Being part of the Parks Commission and as Councilmember/Mayor, I have encouraged a specific park to people ratio. Thirteen years ago, in the Parks and Open Space plan I introduced the concept of 3 acres per 1000 residents as a city goal. We are still trying to meet that goal. I also have supported and continue to do so, recreation program services that are accessbile as possible to all residents, keeping costs lower.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 3, 2008 17:03
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