Teresa Isaac
Biography
2010 Growth Questionnaire
1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
I want to see the Lexington-Fayette County I fostered as mayor: Where we show respect for our elders and concern for our youth; where we celebrate our diversity and deliver services equally to all neighborhoods; where we promote and protect what is best about Lexington — our farmland, our clean air and water, our entrepreneurs and small businesses and, most of all, our caring spirit.
2. As Mayor, you will appoint members to the Planning Commission that will decide whether to expand the Urban Service Boundary. Do you support an expansion of the Urban Service Boundary during the next Comprehensive Plan Process?
No. Generally I support keeping the boundary where it is, but I do support development at interstate interchanges. I would appoint Planning Commission members who represent all points of view, so that no one would feel shut out of the process and everyone would believe that his or her point of view could prevail, so they could, therefore, support the final decision.
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?
I would appoint (that is, reestablish) a Commissioner of Housing to oversee the Land Bank Authority with an eye toward making affordable housing a component of infill and redevelopment projects.
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
Yes.
5. As Mayor, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
I would have our Land Bank Authority work with the non-profits in the housing area to transfer vacant lots to them for construction of affordable housing. I would also work with Kentucky Housing to reinstate the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program.
6. As Mayor, will you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
Yes. I would have them report to the newly reestablished Commissioner of Housing.
7. As Mayor, how will you handle CentrePointe and similar development projects moving forward? How will you encourage the implementation of the Downtown Masterplan and its recommendations?
I would appoint an architect to the Design Review Board to assure aesthetic compatibility with our historic downtown. The Downtown Masterplan would come under the Commissioner of Housing.
8. As Mayor, how will you propose addressing—in the long term—the student housing issues in Lexington’s established neighborhoods? How should LFUCG incentivize infill in the Urban Service Boundary, while protecting the character of established neighborhoods?
I would work with UK’s newly-instituted housing office to help protect established neighborhoods, then I’d suggest to UK that they not increase student enrollment without building additional dormitories. To our council, I would suggest that we reduce for three years the Urban County Government’s portion of property tax on redeveloped infill properties that meet agreed-upon criteria, and I’d reinstate the Mayor’s Award for Infill and Redevelopment, which Mayor Newberry discontinued.
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?
I’d appoint a second person to our Economic Development office to address that issue and to help us partner with our regional neighbors. Also I’d appoint more people who have an ag background to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
