In the interest of serving our residents, and Keeping Gilroy Healthy and Beautiful, GGS has invited the 2024 candidates for Mayor and City Council to answer a series of questions based on issues affecting our quality of life. Thank you to all who participated, and for your willingness to share your thoughts with our community!

2024 Candidates’ Q&A

QUESTION 1: What do you know and understand about Gilroy’s Urban Growth Boundary passed by the voters in 2016? Where do you stand on it and why? ANSWERS

QUESTION 2: What is your knowledge of Gilroy’s Agricultural Mitigation Policy? ANSWERS

QUESTION 3: How do you feel about the Builder’s Remedy being applied to two development applications in Gilroy? Did you know that using the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to avoid following our General Plan, avoid an environmental assessment (EIR), and avoid mitigation measures for environmental damage? The City Attorney and City Council have stated that this law does not apply to Gilroy because we DO have a Housing Element that was substantially approved before the state’s deadline. Do you support this response to the current lawsuit by a developer who thinks they ARE entitled to use the Builder’s Remedy law? ANSWERS

QUESTION 4: The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) have developed a long-range plan for the nine Bay Area counties called Plan Bay Area 2050. Two of their seven transportation funding strategies are to increase toll roads and to charge drivers for vehicle miles traveled (this option would be implemented only if the state eliminates the current gas tax). How do you feel about these options and how would they impact Gilroy residents? ANSWERS

QUESTION 5: What is your vision for the future relationship between Gilroy Gardens and the City of Gilroy? ANSWERS

QUESTION 6: Gilroy City Council has taken a position opposing the quarry at Sargent Ranch. How will you actively support this position at the county level? ANSWERS

Who We Are & What We Do:

We are an inclusive group of Gilroy residents who promote good stewardship of our beloved small town.

We Seek to:

  • Preserve and support local agriculture, farmland and natural open space

  • Advocate for a vibrant downtown

  • Support healthy and sustainable use of land, urban infrastructure, and natural resources

  • Foster a responsive City Council that will honor the wishes of the citizens

  • Encourage the creation of high quality jobs in Gilroy for Gilroy residents

  • Protect Gilroy's voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary

We call this plan Gilroy Growing Smarter.

Spring in Gilroy video by Roger Cornia . This video captures the rolling, oak-dotted hillsides that surround our small town and contribute to the health and beauty of our area. Natural open spaces, along with our precious farmlands, are what Gilroy Growing Smarter is seeking to preserve, and why we worked to implement an Urban Growth Boundary. Thank you Roger Cornia for sharing this beautiful video to remind and inspire us.

Like what GGS is doing? Consider a Seat on a City Commission!

Now is the time to strongly consider applying for one of the City Commissions, as we look to help the City consider any development in a more holistic way. Through membership on commissions you can help promote the values of revitalizing downtown and preserving our farmland and open space, and keeping Gilroy healthy and beautiful. Thank you for considering this important way to help both the City and Gilroy Growing Smarter.