Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1338683456
Applicant Information
Name Anubha Gupta
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
24 years - my whole life!
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
Yes
When was the last time you
voted? Month/Year
11/2024
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Yes
Briefly describe what you learned
by watching or attending a
meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you
suggest?
By attending the Sunnyvale City Council meeting on May 7, 2024, I learned how thoughtfully the Council manages a wide range of issues, balancing efficiency with community input. I especially enjoyed the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
presentation, which highlighted important local conservation efforts. One improvement I would suggest is streamlining the public comment process during oral communications to
encourage even broader participation.
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
Anubha Gupta
Office Use Only
Date Received:
__________
Voter registration
verified:
Office Use Only
Date Received: __________
Voter registration verified:
On: ___________________
By: ___________________
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By: ___________________
4/27/25
4/29/25
MH
Late
First Choice Parks and Recreation Commission (R)
Apply for another board or
commission?1
Yes
Second Choice Planning Commission (R)
Apply for another board or
commission?2
Yes
Third Choice Sustainability Commission
Apply for another board or
commission?3
Yes
Fourth Choice Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Apply for another board or
commission?4
Yes
Fifth Choice Arts Commission
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I grew up in Sunnyvale and have always loved the strong sense of community, especially through its events and thoughtful city planning. I'm motivated to apply because I want to give back and be actively involved in helping shape Sunnyvale's future.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
Through my current work in land conservation at Peninsula Open Space Trust, I bring a deep commitment to protecting local lands, expanding public access, and supporting thoughtful community planning. I have experience collaborating with diverse
stakeholders, balancing conservation goals with community needs, and I'm passionate about ensuring Sunnyvale remains a vibrant and accessible place for everyone.
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
To effectively advise the City Council, I would come prepared by thoroughly reviewing all materials, listening carefully to community input, collaborating respectfully with fellow members, and grounding my recommendations in both data and community values. I believe thoughtful, informed discussion is key to shaping policies that truly serve Sunnyvale.
Anubha Gupta
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
I graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a degree in Design Media Arts. Through my studies, I developed strong skills in creative problem-solving, communication, and community-centered design - all of which help me approach issues with both a practical and thoughtful mindset.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I have volunteered with Food Forward, a nonprofit focused on fighting hunger and reducing food waste by rescuing surplus produce and distributing it to local communities. I've also spent time working at a community garden, supporting local food access and sustainability efforts. I'm excited to build on this experience by getting more involved in Sunnyvale's community activities and contributing directly to the city I call home.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Arts Commission
What role do you think public art
plays in a city?
Public art plays a vital role in creating a sense of place, inspiring community pride, and making the city more vibrant and
welcoming. It reflects the diversity and creativity of the people who live there, sparks conversation, and helps connect residents to their shared spaces in meaningful ways.
How might the City strengthen
art programs in the community?
The City could strengthen art programs by creating more opportunities for local artists to showcase their work, expanding community events that celebrate the arts, and making public art more accessible across all neighborhoods. Supporting
partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and cultural organizations could also help engage more residents and build a stronger, more inclusive arts community.
Anubha Gupta
The Sunnyvale Public Art
collection includes sculptures and
other physical art. As an Arts
Commissioner, how would you
prioritize the inclusion of visual,
literary, interactive and
performing arts to embody the
cultures of our diverse
community?
As an Arts Commissioner, I would prioritize a balanced approach that includes visual, literary, interactive, and performing arts, ensuring all forms are represented and reflect the rich diversity of Sunnyvale's community. I would advocate for more opportunities for artists of all backgrounds to contribute, support
community-driven art projects, and promote events and
installations that celebrate different cultures, traditions, and voices through multiple mediums.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
Category One: I am a bicyclist or
pedestrian residing in Sunnyvale.
Yes
Like many Santa Clara County
cities, Sunnyvale is faced with
problems stemming from traffic
congestion and air pollution.
Suggest ways the City can
improve facilities for bicyclists
and pedestrians. Also, how might
the City improve education and
safety programs for motorists,
bicyclists and pedestrians?
To improve facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians, the City could expand protected bike lanes, improve sidewalk connectivity, and prioritize safe, accessible routes to schools and parks. I've attended workshops with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) and believe organizations like SVBC are great resources.
Sunnyvale could strengthen partnerships like these to offer more regular workshops, safety campaigns, and community rides.
Expanding education for all road users - including motorists - would help build a culture of shared responsibility and respect on our streets.
Description Area View the Active Transportation Plan
Have you read the Active
Transportation Plan?
Yes
What are your thoughts on the
Active Transportation Plan?
I think the Active Transportation Plan is a strong and
forward-thinking foundation for Sunnyvale's future. I appreciate how it prioritizes safe, connected networks for biking and walking, focuses on equity and Safe Routes to School, and ties into broader goals like Vision Zero and the Climate Action Playbook. I'm excited to see the City's commitment to making active
transportation safer and more accessible for all residents. Moving forward, I believe strong community partnerships, like those with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC), will be key to successfully implementing the plan and building a true culture of biking and walking in Sunnyvale.
Description Area View the Vision Zero Plan
Have you read the Vision Zero
Plan?
Yes
Anubha Gupta
What are your thoughts on the
Vision Zero Plan?
I think the Vision Zero Plan is a vital and thoughtful step toward making Sunnyvale's streets safer for everyone. I appreciate the Plan's focus on eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through a data-driven, community-centered, and equity-focused approach. I especially value the commitment to protecting vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists. I'm excited by the City's willingness to make bold changes and believe strong public engagement, continuous evaluation, and collaboration with groups like the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition will be key to achieving Vision Zero's goals.
Park and Recreation Commission
Community demographics are
constantly changing. What do
you think are the principal issues
the commission may be
addressing over the next two
years?
As Sunnyvale's population grows and becomes even more
diverse, I think the commission will need to focus on making parks and recreational programs more inclusive, accessible, and responsive to different cultural needs and interests. Other important issues may include maintaining and expanding green spaces as the city develops, addressing equity in park access across all neighborhoods, and creating programs that engage residents of all ages, from young families to seniors.
How could we improve our parks
and recreation infrastructure and
programming to better serve our
diverse community?
To better serve our diverse community, we could expand
culturally inclusive programming, offer more multilingual outreach, and design parks that reflect a variety of recreational interests and traditions. Improving accessibility - both physically and geographically - is key, along with creating more flexible spaces for community events, sports, and arts. Partnering with local organizations to host culturally specific events and activities would also help ensure everyone feels welcomed and
represented.
Planning Commission
Sunnyvale has limited vacant
land for new development. This
could increase pressure for
redevelopment of existing
developed areas. How can
Planning respond to this
situation?
Planning can respond by encouraging thoughtful,
community-centered redevelopment that prioritizes mixed-use spaces, affordable housing, and sustainable design. We should focus on revitalizing underused areas while protecting
neighborhood character, expanding access to parks and public spaces, and ensuring developments are well-connected to transit.
Strong community engagement and smart zoning updates will be key to balancing growth with quality of life.
Anubha Gupta
Planning Commissioners are
often asked to consider social,
economic and environmental
issues when reviewing proposals.
How do we achieve a balanced
community?
Achieving a balanced community means thoughtfully considering social, economic, and environmental impacts in every decision.
We can do this by promoting diverse and affordable housing, supporting local businesses, protecting green spaces, and ensuring developments are sustainable and resilient. Listening to community voices, planning for long-term needs, and making decisions that reflect equity, inclusion, and environmental stewardship will help Sunnyvale remain a vibrant and balanced place for everyone.
What do you see as the greatest
land use challenges facing the
City? How do you propose
addressing them?
One of the greatest land use challenges Sunnyvale faces is balancing the need for more housing and economic development with the need to preserve open spaces, maintain neighborhood character, and ensure sustainable growth. I believe we can address this by encouraging smart, higher-density development near transit, updating zoning to allow for more flexible and mixed-use projects, and protecting parks and community spaces.
Strong public engagement and forward-looking policies will be critical to making sure growth benefits the whole community.
Description Area View the Housing Element
Have you read the Housing
Element?
Yes
What are your thoughts on the
Housing Element? How should it
be implemented?
I think the Housing Element is a strong and comprehensive plan that addresses Sunnyvale's urgent housing needs while
promoting equity, sustainability, and community input. I appreciate how it identifies concrete steps to expand affordable housing across all income levels, especially in high-opportunity areas like the Village Centers, and ties housing policy to broader goals like climate action and fair housing. Successful
implementation will require strong community partnerships, continuous progress tracking, and prioritizing funding and zoning changes that encourage both affordability and diversity in our neighborhoods.
Sustainability Commission
Category One: I’m a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
Anubha Gupta
Sustainability is a new and
emerging concern in many
communities. What do you think
are the primary sustainability
policy issues this commission will
be addressing over the next few
years?
Over the next few years, I believe the primary sustainability policy issues will include addressing climate resilience, expanding renewable energy use, improving sustainable transportation options, enhancing urban green spaces, and ensuring
environmental justice across all neighborhoods. Supporting the goals outlined in the Climate Action Playbook - like reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for extreme weather - will be key to creating a healthy, equitable, and sustainable future for Sunnyvale.
Description Area View the Climate Action Playbook
Have you read the above version
of the Climate Action Playbook?
No
Fair Political Practices Commission Statement of Economic Interests Description Area If you are appointed to the Arts Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services
Commission or the Planning Commission, you must electronically file the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), which will be a public
record.Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700Understanding of Filing Requirement I understand and agree that if I’m appointed to the Arts Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission or
Planning Commission I must electronically file the Fair Political Practices Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). This form reports my economic interests and those of my spouse or domestic partner, if applicable. I understand this will be a public record.
Radio Button Yes
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Anubha Gupta
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Do you have any other identities*
you would like to share with us?
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Anubha Gupta
Date Apr 27, 2025
Anubha Gupta