2020 Pacific Grove Mayor Candidate LandWatch Questionnaire Responses

All candidates are in alphabetical order

Land Use Policy - Affordable Housing

Bill Peake
What is your position on affordable housing? Please be specific with regards to policies you support or oppose. We need affordable housing so the people can both live and work in town, and for the younger generation to stay here. I am participating in a housing study to find opportunities to add affordable housing through (1) changing land use regulations, (2) programs for home rehabilitation, homeownership and the homeless (3) incentives for nonprofit housing developers, (4) streamlining housing construction regulations, and (5) construction of housing on public property. Once opportunities are identified we need to act on them; I support efforts to have the state lift water restrictions on new housing.
Do you support modifying city policies or regulations to make it easier and cheaper to build housing? If so, what specific policy changes do you support? Please see answer to affordable housing question
Do you support requiring developers to actually build inclusionary units instead of paying an "in lieu" fee? I'd keep the flexibility inherent with an in lieu fee as it may be of may be of more benefit.
Do you support requiring that "inclusionary housing" units be made permanently affordable, even upon resale? If not, please explain. Yes
Do you support requiring developers of hospitality, commercial and industrial projects that significantly increase demand for already scarce housing resources to also build workforce housing? I'm concerned that requiring housing would hinder the local economy and job growth.
What other housing policies do you support or oppose? Please see answer to affordable housing question

Water Supplies

Bill Peake
What specific proposals do you support to ensure your community can meet its water demands without increasing the overdraft of the County's groundwater aquifers or violating the SWRCB's Cease and Desist Order regarding taking water from the Carmel River? New technologies and processes for obtaining a larger potable water supply that don't impact aquifers or rivers
Do you support expansion of Pure Water Monterey as an alternative to building a desalination plant? I support further consideration of the expansion of Pure Water Monterey but apparently it would not provide the same amount of water as desalination.

Sprawl Reduction

Bill Peake
Do you support the creation of "urban growth boundaries" or expansion of the existing boundary as a way to prevent urban sprawl, and to insure that future growth is compact, efficient, and protective of the environment? If not, what measures would you support to prevent urban sprawl? If yes, will you sponsor an urban growth boundary in the upcoming year, and make it one of your top three priorities? Limiting the expansion of urban areas into agricultural land makes sense. Pacific Grove is fully developed.

Transportation

Bill Peake
Poorly planned, non-infill commercial developments and hotels create more trips and additional vehicle miles traveled on already overcrowded roads and highways. Both residents and visitors pay the price of delay and increased pollution. What specific traffic congestion relief solutions do you support? I support the study and identification of regional transportation solutions by transportation experts and the Transportation Agency of Monterey County.
Do you support roundabouts on Highway 68 and other roads? What other transportation policies or practices have you seen that local governments should incorporate? I support roundabouts where studies show they can significantly relieve traffic congestion and are cost effective.

Leadership

Bill Peake
If you are elected, what will be your top three priorities? Aside from mitigation of pandemic impacts on health, safety, and the economy; my top three priorities are: (1) adding affordable housing, (2) protecting the environment and (3) supporting the local economy.
What land use policies would you champion for the community? Land use policies to promote affordable housing.
What accomplishments in your career or public service are you most proud of? Efforts to promote transparency, respectful dialogue, prudent finances, protect the environment, increase efficiency, community events, recreation facilities, library, infrastructure maintenance, safe routes to school, affordable housing, equality, and nondiscrimination.

Background

Bill Peake
Occupation Mayor
Years Lived in Area 10
Education Phd Mechanical Engineering, UCBerkeley
Experience Mayor 2018, Councilmember 2014, Recreation Board 2011