Jim Newberry
Mayor Jim Newberry’s Official Campaign Website
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Biography
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2010 Growth Questionnaire
1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
I fully support the collective vision developed by over 3,000 citizens as part of the Destination 2040 project that states, “Lexington will be one of the world’s great midsized cities by striking and sustaining a brilliant balance of dynamic urban living and a matchless rural setting.” To me that means we will value diversity, continue to nurture our arts and cultural community, continue efforts to improve our quality of life, in part by focusing on economic development that attracts quality jobs with a future, and continue to improve our environment.
2. As Mayor, you will adopt the “Goals and Objectives” of the Comprehensive Plan—which governs land-use in Fayette County. Do you support an expansion of the Urban Service Boundary during the next Comprehensive Plan Process?
No, in 2007 I opposed the expansion of the Urban Service Boundary (USB) and I opposed last minute efforts to create a “reserve.” At this time, I believe there is enough inventory of land within the USB and we are beginning to see new projects and infill/redevelopment efforts underway because of our decision not to expand last time.
3. As Mayor, what will you do to ensure that the land bank authority is properly established? What should be the criteria for awarding parcels for infill-redevelopment projects and/or real estate deals?
In my FY08 budget, I proposed $2 million toward the creation of a land bank. I encourage the Council to create an independent board, much like PDR, to make the decisions on which parcels to purchase and sell and I would support a system that supports mixed-use developments, affordable housing developments and developments with inviting public spaces.
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
Yes, the PDR program is a nationally recognized land preservation program that helps preserve what makes Lexington unique and further encourages growth up, no out. Even in challenging economic times I have continues my support of PDR because without land preservation and conservation efforts, such as PDR, our community could become “anywhere USA”.
5. As Mayor, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
I support the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund and sent the ordinance recommended by the Task Force to the Council in November of 2008. I do not support creating a dedicated funding source through an increase in taxes at this time, but have proposed a $250,000 match to get the program off the ground.
6. As Mayor, would you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
I have unshackled the Division of Code Enforcement over the past three years, extending hours, adding computer equipment to improve effectiveness in the field, increasing inspections, initiating more comprehensive inspections, and hiring more inspectors; in Building Inspection we have streamlined permitting and added computers again to improve field effectiveness; Planning currently has its hands full with the technical aspects of development and I want to see them move more toward a planning effort in the traditional sense of how we want our community to look, feel and grow.
7. As Mayor, how will you handle CentrePointe and similar development projects moving forward? How will you implement the Downtown Masterplan and its recommendations?
I will continue to support mixed-use developments that comply with existing rules, create jobs, are pedestrian friendly and improve the overall quality of life, so as to decrease the need for more growth into our farmland. Generally, any downtown development should fit into the Master Plan and I encourage Council to implement key recommendations in the Master Plan by passing ordinances that would give the recommendations more detail.
8. As Mayor, how do you propose addressing—in the long term—the student housing issues in Lexington’s established neighborhoods? How will you incentivize infill in the Urban Service Boundary, while protecting the character of established neighborhoods?
I am pleased that a compromise has been reached among the landlords and neighborhoods so that more specific and enforceable rules will be in place to decrease the problems, particularly in the neighborhoods around campus. I support mixed-use developments that give students additional residential options and I believe incentives, such as Tax Increment Financing, can continue to drive such developments.
9. Fayette County agri-business and agritourism generate over $3billion for the regional economy each year. As Mayor, how will you promote these signature industries?
Specific steps we can continue to take are encouraging bike and pedestrian trails in and around greenspaces, such as the Legacy Trail, continues funding of the PDR program and aggressive lobbying of both our State and Federal legislative delegations for financial support. We have also focused much of economic development efforts on Horses, Health Care and Hi-Tech jobs, the sectors of our economy with the greatest potential to create high-paying jobs that help support our quality of life, including the landscape that sets us apart from all other communities.
