2010 Growth Questionnaire
1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
A vibrant urban community with multi-generational appeal at the center of an agribusiness and tourism industry secured with PDR protection.
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 Urban Service Boundary during the next Comprehensive Plan Process?
Until infill and redevelopment efforts in the Virginia Ave. and Manchester St. areas are more of a reality Urban Service Area expansion would be counterproductive.
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?
The land bank authority is the next new tool to continue to motivate infill. I will do whatever I can to help establish the authority with as much of a PDR-like background as possible. With respect to criteria I know from experience that sewerability is key.
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
As one of the Councilmembers who voted for the enabling legislation for PDR I will vote to fund the program.
5. As a Councilmember, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
By continuing to work and make sure that affordable housing is part of as many neighborhoods as possible.
6. As a Councilmember, would you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
Having enough staff is always a problem in difficult budget times I would make sure that enough qualified people are there to do the work.
7. As a Councilmember, how will you handle CentrePointe and similar development projects moving forward? How will you implement the Downtown Master Plan and its recommendations?
I believe we should implement the master plan on a continuing basis. The WEG has been a stimulus for a lot of projects, when it is over we still have a lot of work to do. We have a master plan discussed and agreed upon let’s make sure it is our guide.
8. As a Councilmember, how do 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?
We have to have strong guidelines to be a template for continuing redevelopment making sure we have good solid rules and enforcement. We have to provide the infrastructure for infill – that is a long term effort.
9. Fayette County agri-business and agri-tourism generate over $3 billion for the regional economy each year. As a Councilmember, how will you promote these signature industries?
In every way possible.
