Candidate for
Council Member; City of Mountain View

All candidates for this office were asked questions on the issues.
Read the answers from Stephanie Schaaf

Housing

Despite the economic changes of the past years, the need for more housing - particularly more affordable housing - is still great. The jobs/housing imbalance means that Mountain View workers must commute great distances, causing environmental damage and loss of quality of life. Lack of affordable housing is an issue for long time residents who want to remain in the city and for Mountain View businesses, whose workers need places to live.

Environment

The greatest environmental issue facing both our city and the Bay Area as a whole is the need for sustainable land use decisions. Our current patterns of sprawl development lead to destruction of habitat and open space. Sprawl also increases traffic and air pollution due to longer commutes and the fact that sprawl developments are rarely served by public transit.

City Budget

The city has done an excellent job in the past

several years of ensuring a balanced budget
while minimizing the impacts on residents
and businesses. We must continue to make
smart budget decisions going forward.