Election 2008: Q&A with 3rd District candidates Jerry Lenthall and Adam Hill

Election 2008: Candidate Q&A Third District Supervisor * Term: 4 years * Salary: $84,000

Jerry Lenthall is the incumbent Third District supervisor.

Adam Hill is a Cal Poly English Department lecturer.

1. Do you favor adopting new policies to shape development in the rural areas of the county? Why or why not?

Lenthall: The county has good policies currently in place. We adopted the Ag and Open Space Element as part of our General Plan. Now we are in the process of implementing these policies so we can see what works best and what needs to be adjusted or modified.

Hill: Unless we truly adopt smart growth guidelines (including an effective transfer-of-development-credits ordinance) that discourage large-lot, low-density development, sprawl will continue adversely affecting rural areas. Towns will be forced to extend streets, sewers and other infrastructure to homes in rural regions. If we continue our current policies, low-density development will overrun rural areas and fragment rural landscapes. Landowners will sell off more rural and ag land, which will undermine the economic viability of agriculture.

2. What would you do to control public employee pension costs that some say are threatening the county’s long-term fiscal soundness?

Lenthall: Pension costs are a negotiated benefit. In order to control these costs, we need to balance employee contributions with the county contributions in a way that is fiscally responsible.

Hill: We should look to a hybrid system that combines defined benefits and defined contributions. The county certainly needs to have better control over costs; at the same time, we must be fair to current employees and remain competitive in the recruitment of future employees. Sustaining improved communication with the Pension Trust is also necessary.

3. What do you see as the county’s role in helping to create affordable housing? Please be specific.

Lenthall: Currently the county helps by supporting programs such as People’s Self-Help Housing and offers density bonuses to projects that include affordable housing. I will continue to work with county staff and the community stakeholders to develop and implement strategies and opportunities to create more affordable housing for our county.Ę

Hill: * Identify appropriate county-owned property to create a Community Land Trust.

* Pass an inclusionary housing ordinance that gets units built but is also economically fair to builders.

* In towns with the necessary water and infrastructure, reduce minimum lot size, enforce minimum density, and upzone for well-designed multifamily density.

* Create incentives for smaller homes to be built. This can include fees scaled to square footage, permit fast-tracking for smaller homes and fee reductions for granny units.

4. What would you like to see when Fossil Point is built out? Please be specific.

Lenthall: There is no guarantee that anything will be built at Fossil Point. However, I have held community discussions regarding potential uses. It is my hope that if anything is built, it will have the support from the community and is something that Avila Beach can be proud of.

Hill: The role of the supervisor should be to seek the greatest possible public benefit from whatever might develop on this unique property. This is a stark difference from the approach my opponent has taken. Thus, as a representative of the community, I would push for a regional park, hiking and biking trails, and other public amenities.