Discussion on the Issues

Any one of these issues and projects has the potential for grave consequences, if not thoroughly analyzed. Residents of Brisbane deserve to have their voice heard. City Council must have a clear understanding and expertise to direct the staff and assist citizens in making intelligent choices.

The Issue	Haji Jameel's Opinion
Safety: Several locations in Brisbane pose severe potential for serious accidents. For example, Tulare Street has only a single means of access and there is a sharp steep turn at Humboldt and Glen Park with limited visibility.	Safety should never be compromised because of expense. Safety improvements of our streets and roads must be given the highest priority will recommend that the Council develop a short and a long term plan to fix the safety problems of our streets and roads
Parking: Limited parking is a continuing problem in Brisbane and demands a flexible solution.	Recommend adoption of flexible parking standards tailored to local geographical conditions Ensure street striping program takes into account the needs of residents and safety Enforce regulations in order to get abandoned vehicles off our streets
Sustainability and Green Building Concepts: Major projects generate large quantities of waste materials during and after construction. They consume tremendous amounts of natural resources (natural gas, electricity, water, etc).	Ensure new development follow the most comprehensive waste management, recycling and green building standards Incorporate solar, wind or other alternative renewable energy sources Advocate best-practice water conservation and sewage reduction policies
Affordable Housing for Seniors and Low Income Residents: Increased cost of homes in the Bay Area has made it difficult for many to live in Brisbane.	Adopt an affordable housing ordinance. Require all new housing developments of eight or more units to include affordable housing. Work with non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Encourage affordability by offering incentives like tax breaks, redevelopment funds, partnership applications for all possible local, state and federal funds,and quick permit approval processes
Development: Major projects generate large quantities of waste materials during and after construction. They consume tremendous amounts of natural resources (natural gas, electricity, water, etc). Today, the City of Brisbane has several major developments being proposed which include the Baylands, the Quarry and on Bayshore (both commercial and residential developments). These developments will have major impacts on generations to come.
Along Bayshore: Potential for large residential and commercial development Landslides and ground instability Traffic safety and congestion Potential Impact to nearby houses The low income housing requirements must not be compromised	Comprehensive slope stability analyses are necessary to fully evaluate the slope stability problems before final approval of any project Ingress and egress from any project to Bayshore must be carefully analyzed to avoid any potential for traffic accidents and congestion.
The Quarry: Potential development:Potential problems 68 residential homes Potential problems: severe geotechnical and geological results land and rock slides threat to endangered species, existing hiking trails traffic congestion	If the citizens decide in favor in this already agreed-upon vote, will recommend comprehensive geotechnical and geological investigations during every phase of the design. Safety comes first. Construction will not occur until concerns are properly handled. The hiking trails and butterfly habitat must be protected at all times .
The Baylands: Potential development: Large retail/wholesale businesses, warehouses, auto mall, biotechnology research facilities. Potential problems: Severe environmental, safety, security, seismic, geotechnical, transportation related impacts, danger to marine wildlife at the lagoon.	Will vote to place this project to the voters for final approval. Use my expertise to protect the land and lagoon for the best option and use for the citizens of Brisbane. As a councilman I will do everything in my power to protect the bay and wetlands. Our ecosystem depends on it.