The Leagues of Women Voters of South San Mateo County and Palo Alto support area-wide planning to assure land uses that will have a beneficial impact on housing, open space, transportation, and the housing/jobs ratio.

I. Housing

We support a range of housing opportunities for university students, faculty and staff, and those employed on Stanford lands, in relation to the range of income levels.

Because of the area-wide shortage of low and moderate income housing units, Stanford should be encouraged to:

• Meet the student demand for on-campus housing
• Make additional land available for low and moderate income housing for its faculty, staff, and employees

The housing impact of new developments (commercial, industrial, and professional) should be carefully evaluated to insure that planning for housing needs accompanies future development.

The housing/jobs ratio should be a primary consideration of any rezoning or annexation decision.

II. Open Space

We support adequate open space and recreation facilities on the Mid-Peninsula.

• Stanford should be encouraged to maintain open space on a long term basis by a wide variety of measures such as scenic/open space easements, open space contracts, and so forth
• Lands receiving such tax benefits should be used in ways consistent with preserving open space
• Outdoor recreation facilities should be evaluated in terms of regional needs with existing facilities open to the public for
  recreation as presently designated in the San Mateo County master plan

III. Planning Coordination

We support an inter-jurisdictional planning mechanism to assure timely and adequate information regarding proposals, public involvement at all stages. and coordinated decision making.

• An organization with representation by decision makers from Mid-Peninsula cities, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and Stanford
• An opportunity for public information, public participation and input regarding Stanford's proposals
• Regular exchange of agendas among government agencies and early notice of proposals to all affected jurisdictions

IV. Transportation

We support transportation facilities which minimize the use of private automobiles and encourage a closer relationship between housing and employment.

• Public transportation and other alternatives to the automobile should be encouraged, and where justified, subsidized
• Coordination of bus scheduling and access across county lines
• Emphasis on transportation facilities serving large groups of people
• Feeder lines to north-south transportation routes 
• Jitneys in industrial and commercial areas, especially at noontime.* Bike paths with additional creek crossings

Any changes in the existing transportation network should be reviewed in terms of the following factors:

• Improved safety with priority given to measures other than road expansion
• No expansion or realignment which would have a serious adverse effect on the environment

New developments outside the campus core generating substantial employment should be evaluated in terms of:

• Carrying capacity of existing roads and assurance of availability of public transportation
• Alternative solutions to anticipated traffic, with priority given to solutions not dependent on the private automobile

  regional impact