A BOLD NEW VISION TO TACKLE OUR HOUSING CRISIS

 In order to keep our small town feel, we have to ensure Campbell families can continue to live here instead of being priced out. That means continuing to approve new housing stock so that we can have a place for all those who want to make Campbell their home. 

Where it makes sense to do so, we should consider requests from property owners to convert commercially zoned areas to residential or mixed usage, as well as encourage areas that are already zoned for mixed usage to increase their housing stock, creating a more livable community that is family-friendly and centered around pedestrian, bike, and public transit usage. 

 I have previously participated in public meetings with housing developers to successfully push for the installment of bike racks in developments near the downtown area. 

I will continue to encourage the use of bike infrastructure in new developments to keep cars off the road and achieve better public health outcomes.

And according to noted city planner and urbanist Jeff Speck, this “walkability” is the key determinant of a thriving community, making our town welcoming for all people alike.

Previously, proposals for new housing developments in the City of Campbell have not maximized their potential to plan for public transit. This is partly because public transportation is a regional responsibility, while housing and planning is a municipal one. Currently, proposals must include a “traffic impact report” — often leading to tense disagreements between the City and local residents about the true impact of developments on traffic. Proposals often include mention of nearby public transit, but do not account for the potential growth of new transit lines or potential cuts. 

I will mandate that new housing proposals include a “public transit integration report,” requiring our City to communicate with Valley Transportation Authority to coordinate housing and transit needs.

Homeowners should be allowed to convert their single-unit residences into multi-family units if they wish to do so. This is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to build up our housing stock, and can provide additional revenue for homeowners during difficult economic times, while retaining our welcoming and close-knit community. 

Lifting restrictions on ADUs are a no-brainer to expand housing stock and, in many cases, allow families to remain together in the community they call home. That’s why we should follow the lead of San Jose and create a community portal for homeowners who wish to convert their extra space into an ADU. 

 One of the simplest ways to maintain a livable community is to preserve and protect the housing stock we currently have. We should almost never rezone residential areas to commercial usage, and any new developments on existing lots should include at least as much housing stock as the units they are replacing. 

I was proud to author an op-ed in support of Senator Scott Wiener’s revised SB 50 legislation that allows cities the flexibility to practically meet their housing goals. 

I’ll continue to advocate for the needs of Campbell residents through additional state legislation where necessary, ensuring our city has a voice in the process. 

At a minimum, we must ensure that no existing specialized senior living facility in Campbell is rezoned or replaced. We’re lucky to have a variety of such facilities within Campbell, representing different senior populations. 

Many of these communities provide the only affordable means for seniors to remain in our City. Preserving them will ensure everyone is able to be part of our broader Campbell community. 

Studies have shown that high-quality, well-planned mixed use developments — combining retail with housing — bring important community benefits: lower infrastructure costs, higher tax revenue, improved public health, lower traffic and sprawl, and, in the long-term, reduced costs going forward for police, fire, and trash services. 

Moreover, they improve the walkability and small town feel that is so important for the character of our community, and are a smart way to couple housing goals with economic development and promotion of transit and biking.