Kathy Plomin
Biography
Official Campaign Website
2010 Growth Questionnaire
1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
I believe Lexington should be engaged in shared vision for a livable and inclusive community that recognizes, appreciates and builds upon the attributes that has been its enviable hallmark of quality of life.
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?
No, not at this time. I believe we have to focus on the more immediate infill and redevelopment opportunities that currently exists throughout our community.
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 the land bank authority is a program that could work well in Lexington. As a member of Council I would keep it on the front burner and encourage it’s sooner than later relevance. In moving ahead we can look at the other models including Louisville’s for fitting and successful criteria upon which awarding would be based.
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
Yes I will.
5. As a Councilmember, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
I believe that affordable housing challenges are greater then we have faced in a while. Although Lexington has not been hit as hard as other cities we as a community are facing more foreclosures, “underwater house scenarios” and heightened unemployment. As a result as a community we should be involved in collaborative support and services that counsel and educate our own residents facing these downturn consequences.
6. As a Councilmember, would you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
Yes I would have the composition of the planning commission to be more inclusive with voice representation from more diverse constituents.
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?
Although in hindsight I believe we as a community learned from the Centre Pointe situation. Although the Centre Pointe dilemma a result of a private real estate transaction the “face of our downtown” was dramatically impacted. As a city we need to be more proactive in dealing with these type of issues and have a plan and process in place as we move forward.
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?
Hopefully some of the South Broadway development and movement towards the Red Mile area will “pick up” some of this demand to be close to campus. Other ingredients to future resolve should be a more active role for UK in the process as well as the idea of a parking place per vehicle provided on property.
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 think greater awareness and marketing of this attribute helps in the citizen ownership of these signature industries. And as a Councilmember would be a strong advocate of this messaging.
