Don Pratt
Biography
Official Campaign Website
2010 Growth Questionnaire
1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
A publicly strong independent Council with creative, innovative thinking that WILL listen for the same from its citizens. A council selecting its own leadership as well as having its own advisers, financial and legal, to give independence from the mayor and his staff, especially with accountability of spending so as (elect our own qualified local auditor who’d be a watchdog as well as provide cost benefit analysis and free education for citizens to follow the money) to eliminate waste and yet increase value of service so the public believes in and trusts our local government.
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 expansion and was the only person calling for controlling wasted of space by ordinance(s) by limiting new housing growth (and infill) to high density in order to halt sprawl. Infill, restoration and usage of unused downtown spaces for moderate and low income housing can provide more central living as well as close residence to the university and other business communities, with trusted private/public funding plus supervision, and it is a must!
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 currently fear for any establishment of a land bank authority by the current mayor or council, due to current composition, and probably the majority of a new council. My trust would only be in the selection and decision making by groups like the Fayette Alliance, though I do not know your personalities, and I would be open, honest and certainly not swayed by special interests as well as always acting for the greater public benefit as I am “Always questioning what’s wrong and advocating what’s RIGHT!”
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
While I recognize and SUPPORT the intent, I have been a critic of the PDR with fear of its ineffectiveness and rules written into the act that would allow buyouts the timing would make it profitable to leave the program, even with penalties. I stand open minded and willing to be convinced otherwise, but have NEVER had any person or leader prove to me that my thoughts are wrong and I also fear the regional problem of surrounding counties allowing development to our county lines.
5. As a Councilmember, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
One of the most impressive, pleasant housing units in this town is a low income housing unit on Russell Cave Road, the town side of the railroad tracks near WLEX TV. This affordable housing, with class, style and with emphasis on location needs, and recent ideas of preservation by the Mayor of Charleston, SC should be policy of LFUCG and I make such a commitment.
6. As a Councilmember, would you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
There has been far too much “yes” man behavior by staff and when they have serious questioning within the staff, suppression/removal is a typical response Planning has also seen too much support for special interests in development and the mayoral controlled planning and zoning commission should have a different method of public selection and accountability.
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?
Since CentrePointe was decided BEFORE the hoopla, the sincere, objecting citizens were destined to fail as plans for destruction were set, and the necessary laws to prevent this from happening had not been written years before. Even many current “preservationist” leaders knew the destruction was coming and did far too little then – sometimes nothing – until the hoopla, begging the question again: where were the laws to prevent such, even some requiring new downtown buildings have retail space at all first floor levels.
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?
The university has had a priority to expand for years, BUT NOT HOUSING. Where was PLANNING for the massive new numbers of peoples, students and lower income staff, needing residency near the university, or more simply, where was any concern to create high density housing by UK as they fundraised – NOT just for A WILDCAT COAL LODGE?
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?
So few of the citizens of Fayette County relate to the support of this economy, other than the employees. We all must learn, creatively think and note success outside our own groups to understand the differences needed to address the needs of these businesses and expanding tourism.
