Linda Gorton
Official Campaign Website
2010 Growth Questionnaire
1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
My vision for Lexington-Fayette County is one where our grandchildren & great-grandchildren will live in a safe, clean, friendly, active community where every neighborhood has citizens who are working toward a better place for all. This includes being a place which celebrates diversity of its people as well as on where everyone who wants a job can find it, whether that is in agriculture, technology, equine, health care, construction or other sectors.
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?
Not at this time – studies show that there are still significant acres available for development within the Urban Service Boundary. I support incentives for Infill/Redevelopment.
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 supported the resolution to execute the Interlocal Agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky & the Fayette County Board of Education and will continue to support next steps in establishing the Land Bank Authority. Some considerations for awarding land parcels should include those which can be developed at their highest use & which will enhance the quality of our neighborhoods, provide affordable housing, job opportunities, parks & other spaces.
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
Yes. When I voted to support the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program in 2000, it was with the understanding that to be successful in protecting our agricultural & equine industries, the program goal of 50,000 protected acres would need to be accomplished. Now that we are about half-way to the goal, we need to continue funding $2 million annually and simultaneously continue to allocate funds for Infill/Redevelopment efforts.
5. As a Councilmember, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
I support the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as a mechanism to address these needs. Our current challenge is to find an acceptable means for funding.
6. As a Councilmember, would you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
One of the greatest needs right now is for strategic planning services, which have been eliminated in recent city budgets. Also, I have advocated for coordinated, linked software among Code Enforcement, Building Inspection, Police, & other divisions in order for LFUCG to track property violations & be more efficient in dealing with an individual property.
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?
CentrePointe is a private development, but given the prominence of the property in downtown Lexington & its potential impact on the city core, we’ve learned that the following would be meaningful going forward with other projects: initial interaction, before design, between developers & surrounding neighborhoods & businesses to discuss vision for the property, how it would “fit in” the downtown, & what uses the public thinks should be considered; downtown demolition laws prohibiting demolition until project financing is in place; incentives or ordinances for preserving facades of historical importance. I have scheduled the Downtown Master Plan for the April 2010 Planning Committee agenda to begin working through it.
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?
During the 3-plus years I have chaired the Council Planning Committee, I have served on the Student Housing Task Force as well as a small work group to bring forward to Council Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments which I believe will address the issues surrounding increased density, especially in singly-family areas surrounding the University of Kentucky. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a useful tool right now for infilling areas, particularly near/in downtown, at the same time protecting the character of the surrounding neighborhoods.
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 will continue to promote understanding of and support for funding of Infill/Redevelopment & the PDR program, to enable agri-business & agri-tourism industries & jobs to flourish.
