Candidate Questionnaire, Christopher Shafer

Christopher Shafer

Housing

Studies show Lexington needs about 22,500 new housing units across all types to fill the housing gap in our city, but 75% of the needed units are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

What strategies and locations do you believe Lexington should prioritize for housing growth in order to address these needs?

• Answer: I believe we should and I support looking into infill development, we have a lot of property in Fayette county that could be utilized, without expanding outward to quickly.

Expansion

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council recently adopted the Preservation and Growth Management Program, which created a data-driven method for considering future expansions of the Urban Service Boundary (USB).

What factors do you believe are most important to consider if an expansion of the Urban Service Boundary was proposed to the Council during your term?

• Answer:

I believe that we have a lot of areas in Lexington where infill development could occur. An outward expansion of the USB would cause infrastructure concerns, and by this I mean traffic, roads, utility, waste collection, etc. and the long term financial impact it would cause. I am also for the protection of our neighborhoods and farmland. Smart growth, sustainable growth.. not sprawl.

Agricultural Preservation

Agricultural industries, and the farmland that supports them, have an economic impact of $2.6 billion every year on Lexington-Fayette County’s economy and support more than 16,000 jobs across all twelve council districts.

What policies do you support that promote Lexington’s iconic and productive farmland and protect it from irresponsible future development?

• Answer:

I support preservation and growth management. I also do not support the expansion of the USB at this time. Lexington and Fayette County is unique and a place I love and I believe we should protect it.