Housing Mandates

One of the many reasons as to why I moved me and my family to Villa Park was the unique nature and traditions of our lovely city. The distinctive, large lots of lands; safe and friendly neighbors; and family-oriented city culture were the most attractive aspects when I considered moving here.  Unreasonable Sacramento housing mandates pose not only a threat to the character of our neighborhoods, but the heart and soul of Villa Park. 

If elected to the Villa Park City Council, I would oppose Sacramento's involvement in our housing affairs by supporting the city council's current plan to rezone the Smith Basin.  In comparison to other alternatives, the current conditional plan that the city proposed would prevent state involvement while maintaining the unique nature of Villa Park. Rezoning the Smith Basin would also preserve the small-town feel of Villa Park by minimizing traffic and placing the project outside of the city's residential areas. 

Sober Living Homes

Studies show that homes near sober living homes can sell for almost 15% less in comparison to homes further away. Sober Living Homes not only harm our property values, but our children and livelihoods. 

 

Living right next to a sober living home over on Lincoln, I can speak with experience how much of a nuisance these sober living homes can become. While I am NOT against legal and legitimate rehabilitation services, many of these facilities (including the one next to me) are money-grabs that don't offer the full services to help their clientel. Through a legal loophole that classifies under six people in a household as a "residency", many self-proclaimed sober living homes don't have to undergo the same scrutiny and process that legitimate services go through. 

If elected to the Villa Park City Council, I'd ask to serve as a liaison to the League of Cities, where Villa Park can learn from other the cities the do's and don'ts to approach illegitimate sober living homes. 

Keeping residents aware and working in communication with law enforcement is also key to ensuring that illegitimate sober living homes can be subjected to strict scrutiny. As a concerned and active resident, I have kept my neighbors in touch, sending updates via email about our unfriendly neighbors. My efforts and organization earned me an appointment to the Group Home Task Force Committee by the Villa Park City Council where I now serve as Vice Chairman. 

Taxes

Haven't we been taxed enough? Let's make this clear: I oppose ANY taxes on Villa Park residents, both municipal and from other jurisdictions. This upcoming November the local community college has placed a 720 million dollar bond on the ballot. Most of these funds won't even be going to our local junior college, but rather out in Santa Ana. No way should Villa Park residents foot the bill. 

 

To add insult to injury, our local school district has expressed interest in placing yet ANOTHER bond, possibly amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in property taxes for homeowners in both Orange and Villa Park. Orange Unified passed a 288 million dollar bond just recently as of 2016. We are still paying for that till this day. 

I also oppose any version of a new sales tax that'll impede businesses here in Villa Park. The City Council should be responsible for maintaining a strong and balanced budget without raising taxes, as other city councils have done in previous years.

 

School Traffic

It's essential that we find new and creative ways to minimize traffic congestion near our public schools. As the Village in Orange transforms into housing, new students will be attending local public schools. 

Villa Park High School, Orange Lutheran, Cerro Villa Middle School, and Serrano Elementary are all within very close proximity to each other. Working with the Orange Unified School District and the city of Orange, all involved parties can find possible solutions to minimize as much traffic congestion possible. 

I also propose working with Parent Faculty Student Organizations, nearby residents on Serrano and Nichols, to find a utilitarian approach to this particular issue. Contention between OUSD and the city of Villa Park should not be necessary. I am also opposed to reinstalling the stop sign over on Nichols, as it has proven to impede smooth traffic flow.