The Buena Park City Council will have some new faces after November’s elections.
Voters will be filling the remaining two-year term of the District 2 seat, left open when Jose Trinidad Castañeda stepped down early in May. And Councilmember Connor Trout could not run again, so the winner of the full-term District 5 seat will also be new to the council.
Running for the short-term District 2 seat are Yong “Chuy” Choi and Carlos Franco. In the hunt for the District 5 seat are Paul Gonzales and Lamiya Hoque.
Incumbent Susan Sonne faces challenger John Dade for the full-term District 3 seat.
We asked the candidates a series of questions for our voter guide. Here is what they said about how can the city best meet the demand and mandates for housing, while preserving the quality of life. They were asked to keep their answers to 200 words.
District 2
Yong “Chuy” Choi, currently a city planning commissioner: “The city must promote diverse housing options such as affordable housing units, mixed-income developments, and accessory dwelling units to cater to the needs of different income groups within the community. Working toward streamlining the development process to make it easier and more cost-effective for developers to build housing units should be considered. By prioritizing building low-square-foot homes for low-income home buyers that are local to the area will be healthier for the home economy because it gives opportunities to first-time buyers and people with low income.”
Carlos Franco, who is in advertising: “Beyond meeting the state’s housing requirements, I believe that we can achieve this goal while also preserving — and even enhancing — the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents in a sustainable way.
I support smart growth strategies that focus on developing housing in areas that are well-served by public transportation, close to jobs and have existing infrastructure in place. This approach allows us to increase housing supply without overwhelming established neighborhoods or putting undue strain on local resources. I will also advocate for zoning adjustments while preserving our community’s character.
Balancing the need for more housing with the preservation of a quality of life is essential for the future of our city. By pursuing smart growth strategies, promoting affordable housing, engaging the community and investing in infrastructure, we can meet our housing needs while ensuring that our neighborhoods remain vibrant, livable and welcoming places for everyone.
As a councilmember, I am committed to working collaboratively with residents, developers and other stakeholders to achieve these goals in a way that benefits both current and future generations.”
District 3
John Dade, a financial professional: “I believe the city of Buena Park and its residents know what is best for the city when it comes to the housing needs of the residents. I believe that as a charter city, Buena Park should fight back against the state mandates. Sacramento does not know the needs of Buena Park. Also, if the state is mandating that we build more dense housing, then the state should provide the funds to the city from the 6%, of the 7.75% sales tax total that the state receives from Buena Park.”
Susan Sonne, incumbent: “While cities are subject to the offerings presented to us by developers, we strive to ensure new developments are balanced between the needs of current residents and those of our children, seniors and the people who work in our communities who need additional housing. We especially work to make sure young people just starting out can afford a place to live as well as our seniors with limited funds. My goal is to use the funds from those developments to improve parks, roads and mitigate traffic issues to improve quality of life for everyone in the city. We also look for every opportunity to add programs that will involve and build the character of our youth to help them become contributing members of the community. We require a certain number of units to be affordable so that there are alternatives to homelessness that work for everyone.”
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District 5
Paul Gonzales, a county safety representative: “The city has met the state-mandated (RHNA) requirements for lower-income and special needs housing. This qualifies the city to apply for more state funding to use for down payment assistance programs for our residents. If we abide by our planning goals related to housing needs, the city can reach out to the builders specializing in low- to mid-income housing projects by streamlining the application process and assigning planning staff to work directly with builders to ensure project completion.”
Lamiya Hoque, an educator at Chapman University: “It’s necessary to set clear and stringent standards for new developments to ensure our city grows in a way that reflects the values and expectations of our residents. By actively involving our community in the planning process, we can ensure that every new project aligns with our city’s unique character and enriches it, keeping our neighborhoods inviting and vibrant places to live.
At the same time, it is essential to create a supportive atmosphere for developers, encouraging them to see the value in investing in our community. We aim to strike a harmonious balance prioritizing our residents’ well-being and quality of life while welcoming thoughtful and beneficial development. This collaborative approach ensures that residents and developers contribute to our city’s sustainable growth and prosperity.”
Our Voter Guide also asked the candidates questions about budgeting, climate change, priorities and what makes a good leader. Check out what they said at ocregister.com/voter-guide.
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