Issues Facing Our Community Today

By April A. Vargas

Land use planning, environmental preservation and econonic development

The need for responsible long-range land use planning and sound transportation policies

The preservation of the environment for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike

The need for economic development and the creation of living wage jobs locally

All three of these issues are highlighted in my campaign and all three are interdependent parts of the overall plan for the future which Midcoast residents must help to create. Our Local Coastal Program will soon be under review by San Mateo County and the Coastal Commission. This is an invaluable opportunity to revise and update laws which govern the coastal zone. We need to provide for open space surrounding our urban areas and encourage infill and mixed-use developement near transportation corridors. Due to limited infrastructure and the lack of resources, residential developement alone is not feasible and not sustainable.

Current provisions governing coastal access, view sheds and the protection of watershed lands must be strengthened and more effectively enforced. Open space preservation and the acquistion of land for parks must be a priority.

To ease ever-worsening traffic congestion we need to attract jobs to the coast which provide living wages for residents while eliminating the need to commute. Commercial zoning should be more strictly enforced and sewer and water capacity for commercial ventures must continue to be given priority over strictly residential uses. Partnerships with regional business development organizations must be pursued.

The highest priorities for my term on the Council and the most important goals I hope to accomplish for my community while in office are: strengthening the lines of communications between local residents and our local, County, State and Federal elected officials, increasing community participation in policy-making decisions -- with specific emphasis on the LCP review mentioned above -- and helping to re-establish the belief that public service is a worthwhile and honorable endeavor.