PLATFORM
SAFE STREETS
Palo Alto has been slow and indecisive on road safety.
As a community, we encourage our schoolchildren to cycle to school – at the same time, we’re years behind schedule on the latest iteration of our Bicycle and Pedestrian plan. Within city hall, we've see traffic calming initiatives languish without a clear mandate, in some cases despite years of study and community advocacy.
On council, George will push the city to commit to a Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths. We can cut red-tape, build better infrastructure, and ultimately improve the safety and livability of our city.
AFFORDABLE and INCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOODS
We have a regional housing crisis, and Palo Alto needs to do its part.
George envisions a Palo Alto that more teachers, first-responders, young families, and seniors can afford to live in. This means prioritizing (1) housing at all income levels, (2) real neighborhood planning, and (3) tenant protections.
Housing is one of the best things we can do for our climate, support our schools, and create more opportunity for our workers. We should focus housing in a transit oriented way and reduce sprawl. We can also build housing in a way that preserves or enhances our canopy, walkability, and community.
The status quo is to plan incrementally and indecisively. The framework of our Housing Element can move the needle, but we need housing leaders in City Hall to actually implement the Housing Element faithfully. People are the solution, not the problem.
RETAIL VIBRANCY
Since Covid, we've lost vibrancy Downtown and on Cal Ave. Today, our own policies are preventing recovery and regeneration.
The city should take a strong stance on simplifying permits and streamlining zoning, while investing in streetscapes and events programming.
To actually fill retail vacancies, George will push to reduce the uncertainty, complexity, and fees that are the status quo in Palo Alto.
CLIMATE and the ENVIRONMENT
Palo Alto should continue to be a leader on climate. George is committed to both preserving our natural resources and reducing our climate footprint.
Palo Alto’s goal to reduce GHG emissions by 80% against 1990s baselines by 2030 is excellent. It’s the aggressive, metrics-driven policy we should be doing everywhere. At the same time, we need renewed focus to actually achieve this goal. George will support existing programs (home electrification, EV charging, solar), and work with city staff to expand coverage across rental and multifamily households.
George does not support the expansion of the Palo Alto Airport runway. Every effort should be made to improve safety within the airport's existing footprint, and minimize disruption for our neighbors and natural environment.
BETTER GOVERNANCE
Palo Alto is proposing a $1 billion budget (inclusive of utility spending) with a $300 million general fund. Every year, we have tremendous opportunities to improve Palo Alto, but city hall hasn’t been nearly as disciplined or effective as it could be.
George will work with the council and staff to move quickly and efficiently on projects that benefit the community. There’s no reason we can’t complete intersection safety improvements or advance tree coverage goals.
PUBLIC SAFETY
We need to be able to walk at night, park our bikes, and live in our homes with peace of mind.
We should enable police with police reasonable tools (including cameras and license plate readers) and pre-Covid staffing levels.
We also must demand transparency and efficiency, from open-access police radio to alternatives to policing for some non-emergency calls.
