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Board and Commission Application
Board or Commission you wish to serve on: _Planning Commission_ (Planning Commission applicants: Please attach supplemental questionnaire) Submit application to:
Office of the City Clerk
3300 Capitol Avenue, Building A
P.O. Box 5006
Fremont, CA 94537-5006
Personal Information:
Mr. q
Mrs. x
Ms. q
Name: Ramamurthi Shobana
Home Address: Fremont, CA -94555
Home Telephone: Work Telephone: _______________________ E-mail: Fax:___________________________
Resident of the City of Fremont: 25 years
Demographic Information:
Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
X Indian □ Pakistani
□ Other Asian origin: ________________ (write-in optional) □ Other African origin: _______________ (write-in optional) □ Other Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin: __________ (write-in optional)
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Gender: □ Male □ Prefer to self-identify X Female □ Prefer not to say Language(s) Spoken: English and Tamil Background Information: Why do you wish to serve as a member of this Board or Commission: I strongly believe in taking an active role as a citizen in how and what policies are implemented in our government, especially in our local communities. Serving in the commission will also provide me an opportunity to give back to the city that has been my home for the last twenty-five years. I have always been interested in having a role in shaping the development of our beautiful city. What would you bring by way of perspective or experience to this Board or Commission: As a resident I have firsthand knowledge of all the challenges such as growing traffic congestion, shortage of affordable housing, increasing unhoused population and overcrowding of schools etc that Fremont deals with. From my experience as a member of Human Relations Commission, I have unique perspective and understanding of the needs and struggles of our people. As a community organizer for Organizing for America I have had the opportunity to meet and work with people from different walks of life for a common purpose. Employment/Volunteer Information: Please list any qualifications you feel would provide positive input to the work of the commission. Organization: ____Human Relations Commission___________________________________ Dates: ___12/12/18 to present_________________ Location: ____Fremont________ Position(s): ______Commissioner____________________ Responsibilities/accomplishments: To ensure the rights of all individuals in Fremont, help with providing grants to nonprofits serving the Tri City area and planning and hosting events to educate and empower people. Organization: __________________Ro Khanna for Congress_____________________ Dates: __________2013 to 2016__________ Location: __Fremont__ Position(s): ___Indo American Vote Director__ Responsibilities/accomplishments: Organize and conduct meet and greets, phone banking, canvassing, rallies, workshops and voter registration events. Organization: _____Organizing for America__________________________________ Dates: ____2007 to 2012________________ -3-
Location: ____Fremont and Oakland____________________________ Position(s): ____________Field Organizer______________ Responsibilities/accomplishments: Managing teams, recruiting, training and empowering team leads. Hosting community events and managing the local office. Organization: _______________PTA________________________ Dates: _________2002 to 2007___________ Location: ______Fremont__________________________ Position(s): ________President, Vice President, Parliamentarian and chair of the harmony committee_________________ Responsibilities/accomplishments: _Conduct meetings, organize events, grew membership and implemented numerous programs for kids and parents. Community Activities that you have been involved with (feel free to attach separate pages): Forest Park Elementary School Site Council Member 2006 to 2010 Name of Organization Position/Responsibilities/Accomplishments Dates Safe Alternative to Violent Environment Volunteer/Hosted Fundraisers 2014 /2016 ____________________________________________________________________________ Name of Organization Position/Responsibilities/Accomplishments Dates Special awards or recognitions you have received: Civic Leadership Award by Ellen Corbett California State Senator, Celebration of Democracy Award for contribution to the community by Federation of Indo Americans, Recognized as a Hero by the Safe Alternative to Violent Environment. Education Information: Ragas Dental College and Hospital Bachelor of Dental Surgery Dentistry 1995 ____________________________________________________________________________ Educational Institution Degree/Diploma Field Year ____________________________________________________________________________ Educational Institution Degree/Diploma Field Year Additional Information (Please provide any other information which you feel would be useful to the City Council in reviewing your application.) ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ -4-
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Civic service is a privilege and responsibility of interested, qualified, sincere citizens. The value and importance of wide participation of a large number of citizens cannot be measured. Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated. General Information: Your application is a public document and will be kept on file for one year. If you would like additional information, please call the City Clerk’s Office, at (510) 284-4060. Please sign and date your application and submit to the Office of the City Clerk. Thank you. __________________________________________ December 2nd 2022 Signature Date
ONLY APPLICANTS FOR THE OFFICE OF
PLANNING COMMISSIONER NEED RESPOND
You are requested to provide written answers in your own words to the following questions.
Please use 8-1/2x11 inch standard size paper and write legibly or type. Thank you.
1. What do you feel are some of the factors which go into making a residential neighborhood a “good place to live?” What factors contribute to a good commercial or industrial area? What are some of the negative factors to the above?
Open green space for recreation, access to public transportation either by walking or by biking, access to essentials services and shopping, low crime rate and elementary school. A good commercial area must have access to multiple mode of transportation, large space for parking, space for future development/expansion, need to be aesthetically attractive and proximity to densely populated area. Industrial area's main requirements are vast space and proximity to infrastructure such as railways and highways. Some of the negative factors are poo r
in
frastructure, high crime rate, limited space etc.
2. What do you perceive to be the primary “planning” issues facing the community now and ove
r the next three years? Have you any ideas of how the community should approach s
olutions to these issues?
Three issues concern me as a resident. One, the traffic congestion which is getting worse. The las
t three years we have seen some temporary relief due to covid and people working remotely from home. Secondly, lack of affordable houses. Finally, how to balance economic growth driven by businesses both old and new with infrastructure. Solution requires shift in paradigm, instead of seeing only the economic advantages, need to consider the above-mentioned factors/concerns as top priority before we approve a plan.
3. How do you perceive the correct role of the Planning Commission regarding site a nd a
rchitectural reviews of commercial and industrial buildings? Do you feel you can reflect the community’s “aesthetic” values in reviewing the design of a building? Why? What are the rights of the property owner/developer that the Commission should respect? I must admit I do not have technical knowledge about architectural review. By using common sense, I would say, yes it needs to be aesthetically pleasing, safe, and in accord with community values and history. Developers/ property owner's rights that are bestowed by the law and constitution must be respected.
4. As land values continue to increase, so called “affordable housing” becomes more and more difficult to incorporate into the Planning concept. What are your thoughts on this aspect of future planning?
Affordable housing is important for our city to thrive. We need to be creative and persistent in our efforts to incorporate affordable homes. Need to look for ways to compromise, search for new ideas and talents to address this issue.
5. Planned Districts (PD’s) have been used extensively in Fremont to provide the City with a means to negotiate conditions with developers pertaining to their projects. Please state your views, “pro” or “con.”
Planned Districts gives an idea/ a template to be used as guidelines while negotiating and approving a plan/development, also you are not reinventing the wheel. someone like me who do not have extensive background in this field will certainly be useful.
6. What do you believe is the responsibility of a Planning Commissioner to the community? To the developer? To the City Council?
From our city's planning commission's overview, I understand that commission is responsible for recommending to the City Council the adoption, amendment, extension, addition to, and maintenance of the General Plan for the physical development of the City as mandated by State law.
The Commission also provides discretionary review and approval as provided by the Municipal Code over the subdivision of land, zoning, and land use.
Commissioner's responsibility to the community is to have its welfare and betterment as top priority and conduct oneself in a way that is ethical and appropriate. Commissioner's responsibility to developers is to make sure their rights under the law are respected and protected.