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The Issues
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| Matt discussing the issues with neighbors at Orloff Park |
These are my positions on the issues and my goals for the next four years: - I would like to
engage the community to plan for a future that enhances our quality of life, preserves our small-town character, and is environmentally
and economically sustainable with fairness and opportunity for all our citizens.
- We are very close to adopting our
new General Plan. I would like to establish a Citizens Task Force for its implementation, to explore enhanced traffic
improvement measures, and provide input for future City Council priorities.
- I'm very concerned about the special
interest money, influence, and consultant-driven politics that have emerged in Pleasanton over the past few years. I
will work to ensure good government and integrity from City Hall.
- I will continue to represent and respond to the
needs of the community as a whole, be an advocate for neighborhoods, our citizens and the public process, and will empower
the people of Pleasanton to play a meaningful role in our democracy.
- I will work to provide real protection from inappropriate
development on our hillsides and ridge tops while maximizing public open space. Check the "Hillside Protection"
page for my positions on Measures PP and QQ that will be on the November ballot and the Oak Grove project.
- Meet
our affordable housing needs through a variety of strategies:
- We have roughly 2,000 units left under our voter-approved
Housing Cap. We need to have a community discussion on where and what types of units we want built to meet our needs for affordable,
senior, and workforce housing, and not just sit back and wait for developers to propose more of the same: Mega-mansions in
the hills or large homes in the flatlands. Our focus needs to be affordable housing and we need to be proactive as a
community to achieve this.
- Complete the Kottinger Place Task Force study that will modernize and expand senior affordable
housing opportunities currently offered through the Pleasanton Gardens and Kottinger place developments near downtown
- Hold
a City Council-Housing Commission workshop to explore the best opportunities for the utilization of our nearly $5 million
in Affordable Housing "In-Lieu Of" funds available for public-private partnerships to build more affordable housing
- Fully
explore affordable housing opportunities in conjunction with the proposed Transit Oriented Development at the Hacienda BART.station
- Enforce
and defend the voter-approved Housing Cap and Urban Growth Boundary.
- Plan for Phase 2 of the Bernal Park with a focus
on trails and open space.
- Conduct an East Side Study to evaluate future development in the quarry lands and for open
space and recreation opportunities for the "Chain of Lakes". This study should be performed prior to any new
development in the east side of Pleasanton.
- Finalize the annexation and development of the Staples Ranch commercial
and park project.
- Perform a long-term economic and fiscal analysis to ensure fiscal sustainability through build-out.
Continue to work with local businesses, business organizations, and city economic development staff to implement the Economic
Development Strategic Plan and develop sustainable city finance policies and programs.
- Continue to work with our regional
neighbors on traffic and transportation improvements. The key to mitigating our local traffic problems lies primarily
in regional improvements to reduce cut-through traffic and allow business park traffic to exit the city using the regional
network rather than our city streets. I support BART to Livermore with a direct connection to ACE in the long term with
a short term connection using Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
- In the last two years we have greatly improved our bicycle
routes through Pleasanton with the addition of several bike lane routes on key arterials. I would like to complete and
implement our new Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan to build on these improvements and make Pleasanton a more walk-able and
bicycle-friendly community. Complete the Iron Horse Trail through Pleasanton, with a permanent route through Hacienda
Business Park.
- I will ensure that the West Las Positas Interchange is deleted with the final adoption of the new General
Plan. This has been my priority since 1994.
- Ensure that the Stoneridge Extension to El Charro is not completed
until the necessary regional transportation improvements to 580, 680 and 84 are made. I have led the Council in creating
a compromise with our regional neighbors to develop a "roadmap" of transportation projects and their timing that
will result in improved traffic circulation for the region. Without these improvements there will be no relief from cut-through
traffic in Pleasanton.
Click here for my position on the Stoneridge Drive Extension
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