Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Sarah Schneider

Current job title: Elementary Library Media Technician

Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: San Clemente

Campaign website or social media: www.schneiderforcouncil2024.com

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

As San Clemente approaches its centennial anniversary, we reflect on our city’s rich history and unique coastal character. Being a built-out community, we face significant challenges in meeting state housing mandates. The demand for affordable housing is a statewide and regional issue that requires comprehensive solutions beyond the scope of individual cities, particularly older and smaller ones like ours.

State-imposed mandates often overlook the specific needs and limitations of built-out communities, placing undue burdens on cities like San Clemente. It’s crucial that solutions are developed at the state and regional levels, where the broader housing crisis can be addressed without unfairly saddling cities that have already reached their growth limits.

Local control over land use decisions must be retained to ensure that any new development aligns with the character and needs of our community. Our general plan, which has guided San Clemente’s growth for nearly a century, offers a strategic approach to placing new developments in areas that can handle growth without compromising the quality of life for our residents.

By advocating for regional solutions while preserving local control, we can meet housing demands in a way that respects San Clemente’s unique identity.

California is working toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Where does climate change fall in your list of priorities? How, if at all, would you address this as a councilmember? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

While the primary responsibility for addressing climate change rests with the federal and state governments, the city of San Clemente must prioritize the pressing issues that directly impact our community. We see the effects of climate change most acutely in our coastal zone, where beach erosion and bluff stability are significant concerns. I am committed to proactively addressing these challenges through coastal resiliency policies, beach and coastal bluff protections.

Additionally, with many miles of our city located in high fire hazard zones, it is imperative that we focus on mitigating wildfire risks by enhancing fire prevention measures and ensuring our emergency response plans are robust.

I believe we can still support sustainable practices where it makes sense for our community. For example, exploring the addition of solar panels to municipal buildings, streamlining residential solar panel permits, integrating electric vehicles into our city fleet and encouraging energy-efficient construction in new developments can help reduce our carbon footprint. These initiatives should be pursued thoughtfully, ensuring they benefit our community without placing an undue financial burden on our resources.

By balancing these efforts, we can protect San Clemente’s unique character, address the immediate impacts of climate change and contribute to broader sustainability goals.

How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Achieving fiscal responsibility in San Clemente requires a strategy focused on cost control, responsible budgeting and financial discipline. Central to this is a prepayment plan for our pension liabilities and sticking to it, ensuring long-term financial stability.

As we consider new revenue sources, it’s essential that these decisions are made with resident input. Measure BB on the ballot is an example of how we are giving residents the choice to implement new beach restoration and access. San Clemente is structured to serve its community as a small beach town, not a large resort destination, and any new revenue initiatives must reflect this reality.

We must carefully balance maintaining our small-town charm with opportunities for economic growth. This includes considering the addition of businesses or hotel rooms that align with our community’s character, rather than transforming our city into something it’s not. Partnerships, like strengthening our relationship with the Outlet Mall, can also provide revenue without compromising our local values.

Coupling prudent financial management, including disciplined pension prepayment, with transparent, resident-driven decisions on new revenue, I am committed to ensuring a stable and prosperous future for San Clemente that respects our unique identity as a small, vibrant beach town.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

The top priority of government is to protect its citizens, and public safety is my No. 1 priority. I am committed to partnering with our sheriff’s department and fire authorities to ensure adequate law enforcement and emergency response resources. This is fundamental to our community’s prosperity.

Additionally, protecting our coastal environment, particularly with coastal erosion through sand replenishment and retention is imperative. Maintaining our sandy beaches, coastal access and beach trail is essential for our local economy and community culture. Immediate action is critical. I will employ a collaborative approach with city, county, state and federal governments, as well as local experts and community organizers, to develop and implement plans to safeguard our beaches.

With the increase in sober living homes due to Prop. 1 funding, I am dedicated to ensuring these facilities are carefully managed and that municipal zoning is utilized to keep residential neighborhoods safe, while supporting recovery efforts in more appropriate locations.

Finally, supporting the success and growth of small businesses is core to our economic vitality. I will work to strengthen a business-friendly environment by streamlining regulations and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. A strong local business sector is key to sustaining the character and well-being of our community.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I would make a strong leader because my dedication to focusing on local issues and building coalitions drives me to bring people together for fair-minded, effective solutions. My strength lies in listening to the citizens of San Clemente and addressing their concerns with a pragmatic, business-minded approach.

As a Stanford University graduate with a degree in political science and a decade of business experience in Fortune 500 companies, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise. I have served on the San Clemente Aquatics Swim Team Board and founded the Southwest San Clemente Alliance. I work in public education and serve on the Sober Living and Recovery Task Force, focusing on transparency and safety.

I approach problem-solving with a nonpartisan and non-political mindset, always prioritizing the needs of our community above political considerations. My dedication to responding to citizens’ concerns and addressing complaints with persistence and care reflects my genuine commitment to improving our city.

By investing the time and effort to truly understand and address community needs, I aim to enhance San Clemente’s unity and ensure it thrives as a cohesive and vibrant community. Together, we can build a future where every resident feels valued and our city continues to flourish.

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