1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
I envision an Austin, TX style community with perennials in every vacant lot, open air clubs downtown and a shopping and entertainment district. Additionally, I would like to bring the people in individual communities in Lexington together using neighborhood based events similar to Free Friday Flicks or Thursday Night live but for individual neighborhoods.
2. As a Councilmember, 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?
I do not support any expansion of the Urban Service Boundary. I believe we should develop current vacant lots, save money for infrastructure and protect what’s left of our scenic rural areas for agritourism and agribusiness.
3. As a Councilmember, 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?
I believe a land bank authority is necessary and will facilitate the means necessary to ensure it’s creation. As far as criteria is concerned; I would have to do more research and participate in future conferences to decide on that.
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
Yes, I definitely feel the need to continue the funding of the PDR program at a minimum of $2 million annually.
5. As a Councilmember, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
I am extremely happy with the redevelopment of the Georgetown Rd. area. I would like to see similar redevelopment and other efforts to clean up areas such as the Centre Pkwy area to make it more attractive to families and to use current space without building new housing, especially with the current outlook of the markets.
6. As a Councilmember, would you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
I don’t think I would change anything about code enforcement except to possibly provide a little more oversight.
7. As a Councilmember, how will you handle CentrePointe and similar development projects moving forward? How will you implement the Downtown Masterplan and its recommendations?
I am embarrassed for Lexington with the 2010 games arriving and a big empty space in the middle of town. I would like to see Lexington be an example in the South and push for more modern, sustainable, eco-friendly, innovative and eye friendly building while leaving what can be salvaged from Lexington’s past at the same time.
8. As a Councilmember, 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 think we will have to work something out that is agreeable to the land owners, planners, developers and that will also improve the aesthetics of the area. In addition, the recent increase in apartment housing for students should also relieve some of the crowding and need for student housing in these areas.
9. Fayette County agri-business and agritourism generate over $3billion for the regional economy each year. As a Councilmember, how will you promote these signature industries?
I would promote and expand the Lexington Farmer’s Market in addition to promoting a return to the pride in our rural Bluegrass area while also planting identified samples of native plants with information signs in unused land around town should our budget allow.
