Priorities

What Julie is focused on

Four issues shape most of the work Julie brings to the Council dais.

01 · Growth & Housing

Reasonable, mitigated growth

Julie supports real progress on low-income housing — but not housing growth driven by inflated state mandates that ask existing residents to absorb all the impact of new development.

She has worked with the California Alliance of Local Electeds (CALE) to request a state audit of housing-number mandates. That audit found the state had not sufficiently reviewed or supported its own housing figures — though there's currently no enforcement mechanism requiring the state to act on it. Julie continues to organize councilmembers statewide to push for accurate numbers.

Where this shows up

Council votes on development proposals, General Plan updates, and the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process.

In her own words

Guest opinions on the development debate

Over the years, Julie has written directly to the community about growth and local control. Here's the record.

2017

“More housing without additional schools is not ‘planned progress’”

Raised concerns about additional housing, traffic, water supply, and school overcrowding.

2021

“State Legislature may soon destroy California as we know it”

Opposed state housing mandates and the loss of local control over development decisions.

2023

“Giving up local democracy will not solve state housing affordability”

Continued opposition to state-imposed land-use decisions and unfettered development.

2025

“Preserving Pleasanton's unique identity”

Emphasized community character, responsible planning, local control, and adherence to Pleasanton's General Plan and Specific Plans.

2026

“Mandates without money”

Raised concerns that Pleasanton is being required to absorb substantial housing growth without adequate funding for infrastructure and public services.

[Edit: link each title to the original published piece if you have URLs]

02 · Water

Water quality & availability

Water is one of the most serious long-term concerns facing Pleasanton. Julie supports the city's Water Supply Assessment, which is evaluating the community's options before scarcity or contamination forces a harder decision.

Where this shows up

Budget appropriations for water infrastructure and ongoing council briefings on supply assessments.

03 · Community Character

Protecting downtown & small-town livability

Pleasanton's historic downtown and small-town feel are, in Julie's view, worth actively protecting as the region grows around it — not something that survives by accident.

Where this shows up

Downtown specific plan updates, signage and design review, and business-district policy.

04 · Public Safety

Keeping public safety resourced

As the city grows and state mandates add pressure, Julie has prioritized keeping police, fire, and emergency resources funded rather than stretched thin.

Where this shows up

Annual budget hearings and public safety staffing decisions.

Have a priority you think Julie should know about?

District 3 residents can write in directly with a concern or an idea.

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