(PLEASANTON, Calif.) — Reena Gupta and Jamie Yee outlined their approaches to housing affordability, Stoneridge redevelopment and potential Castlewood annexation during a candidate forum co-hosted by Pleasanton Weekly and Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce.
Photo Credit: OpGov.News Staff (Jamie Yee (Left), Reena Gupta(Right) )
Gupta emphasized fiscal responsibility, transparency, and decisions grounded in financial analysis. Yee’s responses on housing and development emphasized options for younger residents and people seeking to downsize, alongside caution about the extent of government involvement.
Introducing her candidacy, Gupta described her business experience and her work founding Mom Relaunch. She said the initiative had helped 250 mothers return to the workforce without relying on donations. She also referenced her book, Career Interrupted, and her experience growing up in a multigenerational household.
Photo Credit: Pleasantonweekly/YouTube Channel
Homes for younger residents and seniors
Both candidates discussed the difficulty of finding suitable housing in Pleasanton.
Yee said younger generations could not afford to buy homes locally. She proposed examining inclusionary housing policies and exploring higher-density development, including housing at 30 units per acre. She also called for options for residents who want to downsize.
Gupta advocated combining commercial and residential development around Hacienda to create neighborhoods where residents could interact. She described seniors living alone in large houses and called for homes better suited to their needs.
Gupta also said traffic, schools and water capacity should be addressed before projects are approved. Her approach linked housing growth to the infrastructure needed to support it, while Yee emphasized expanding the range of available housing.
Different approaches to Stoneridge
Stoneridge Shopping Center offered a clear distinction between the candidates’ approaches.
Gupta described the property as an opportunity to add housing and restore activity to the area. She said she would bring the three owners together to reach agreement on a redevelopment plan.
Yee acknowledged the difficulties posed by the ownership structure and said she would consider rezoning through the council if needed. She also cautioned that too much government involvement was not the right approach.
Their responses reflected different views of the council’s role: Gupta emphasized actively convening owners, while Yee supported considering land-use changes while limiting government intervention.
Conditions for Castlewood annexation
Both candidates called for closer examination of the costs and responsibilities associated with annexing Castlewood.
Gupta questioned why Alameda County would be willing to transfer the area and whether annexation would benefit Pleasanton financially. Citing concerns about water available for firefighting and the city’s structural deficit, she said she needed the financial figures before taking a final position.
Yee acknowledged those concerns and called for serious negotiations between Pleasanton and Alameda County. She wanted a clearer agreement on repairs to roads and water infrastructure and indicated that she would bargain firmly with the county before supporting annexation.
Gupta focused on establishing the financial case; Yee emphasized securing agreement on who would address infrastructure needs.
Gupta’s fiscal and infrastructure priorities
In other responses recorded in the forum notes, Gupta cited a $7 million structural deficit, a $44 million funding gap, and $200 million in unfunded liabilities. She argued for bold economic-development measures, including making it easier for global companies to do business in Pleasanton, hosting events and creating opportunities for young people.
She supported Measure HH, the proposed hotel-tax increase, and said restoring recently reduced library hours should be a priority for the additional revenue. She also proposed attracting conferences and events to improve hotel occupancy.
On water, Gupta discussed the city’s reliance on Zone 7 after groundwater wells were closed because of PFAS contamination. She cited a $42.3 million project for two new wells, with completion targeted for 2029, and called for conservation before the next drought.
Discussing public safety, she credited emergency personnel with their response to a recent fire and emphasized resident engagement and preparedness for hotter, drier conditions.
On campaign support, Gupta reported several endorsements, including the Sierra Club, Alameda Labor, Moms Demand Action and the Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus, but said she had received no donations from those groups. Yee said she was not aware of receiving any special-interest contributions at that point.
Their responses identified shared concerns about housing access and infrastructure costs, with differences over how actively the city should direct redevelopment and how it should evaluate Castlewood annexation.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at harika@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.
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