A closer look
A stronger economy.
Thoughtful growth.
Responsible government.
How I’ll support businesses, plan for growth, protect public review, and respect taxpayers.
Grow our economy. Support businesses.
San Ramon should be one of the East Bay’s best places to start a business, grow a company, and build a career. We should actively recruit major employers, regional headquarters, and growing companies to Bishop Ranch and our other commercial areas while helping local businesses and entrepreneurs succeed.
That means making better use of vacant office and retail space, creating a more business-friendly permitting process, supporting new and expanding small businesses, and ensuring our commercial areas remain attractive, active, and competitive. We should also strengthen connections between local employers, schools, and residents so more people can find good jobs and opportunities close to home.
Strong businesses are also essential to San Ramon’s long-term fiscal health. Commercial activity brings jobs, customers, sales tax, property tax, and other revenues that help pay for police, roads, parks, and other city services. By growing our business base, we can strengthen city finances while reducing pressure for new taxes on residents.
Let growth fit San Ramon.
New development should strengthen San Ramon without erasing the qualities that make our neighborhoods desirable. That means protecting our hillsides, open spaces, parks, and neighborhood character while paying close attention to building scale, architecture, landscaping, setbacks, and how new projects fit with the homes and streets around them.
Growth also has to work in practice, not just on paper. Before major projects are approved, we should carefully consider traffic circulation, parking, school impacts and whether roads and other infrastructure can realistically support additional demand. Good planning should reduce bottlenecks, preserve neighborhood streets, and make it easier for residents to get around.
Keep room for jobs and local businesses.
Thoughtful growth also means preserving enough space for offices, shops, industry, and employers. San Ramon should remain a place where people can live, work, shop, and build a business, rather than gradually becoming a predominantly residential bedroom community.
One set of rules for everyone.
Homeowners and large developers should face clear, consistent standards. I’ll oppose special exemptions and broad advance approvals that weaken public review.
Your voice should not cost thousands.
Residents should be able to participate in major planning decisions without risking thousands of dollars in appeal costs. San Ramon appeals start at $1,500 or $2,500, depending on the type of appeal, with potentially unlimited total costs. One recent appellant reported a final bill exceeding $10,000. No other city in the region charges comparable fees. By comparison, Dublin charges $258 for an appeal.
San Ramon has historically placed strong public-review requirements on major land-use changes. Voter-approved Measure G established a requirement for General Plan amendments to receive three public hearings and four-fifths approval from both the Planning Commission and City Council.
Recently, the City Council has streamlined development review. For example, certain CityWalk housing plans can now be approved by the Zoning Administrator without Planning Commission review. Appeal rights remain.
I support efficient permitting, but major projects deserve meaningful public input and an appeals process residents can actually afford.
Take care of the basics. Respect taxpayers.
Maintain roads, parks, libraries, and public spaces while making the most of the revenue the city already receives. I’ll oppose new taxes on residents and focus on responsible spending that sustains essential services.
Measure N is temporary. We should keep it that way.
San Ramon voters approved Measure N in 2024, authorizing a temporary 1% local sales tax for ten years. It is scheduled to expire in 2035.
By passing Measure N, voters gave the city a valuable opportunity to put its finances on a stronger footing. That trust deserves responsible stewardship. Its expiration is a deadline to prepare for, not a reason to ask residents for more.
I will oppose renewing or extending Measure N. My goal is a budget that sustains essential services through business growth and responsible spending, without relying on this temporary tax indefinitely.