Political Philosophy for Stephen Finn

Candidate for
Member, City Council; Town of Los Altos Hills

Having served on the Planning Commission, I understand the way our town government works and the progressive - not revolutionary - changes that need to be made. Los Altos Hills is by no means broken, but there are a few areas that should be improved:

- Residents must know in advance about impending council decisions that will have an impact on them and be given the opportunity to give their views. With mail and the vast potential of the Internet and other communications today, the Council can do more to involve residents.

- I will strongly defend and support the very strict Los Altos Hills building codes. But I believe they should be applied equally to all. Today, an appointed body, the Planning Commission, can require residents to meet even more stringent limitations based on subjective criteria. Residents should only be obliged to seek Council approval for plans that exceed existing ordinances or that are not approved by the Town's planning staff.

- The along-the-roadside pathways should be better maintained and governed by ordinances that protect residents' rights. Today, if you apply for a residential building permit, the Town can force you to set aside a certain amount of property for an off-road pathway - despite any concern you might have about safety or privacy. I want to change that. Along-the-roadside pathways are our goal, not potentially dangerous off-road paths that run behind or between properties.

Most importantly, I want to create a more resident-friendly government, one that serves you with fresh ideas, while preserving the qualities that make Los Altos Hills so attractive.