Candidate Questionnaire, James Brown (incumbent)

Councilmember James Brown (incumbent)

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 support LFUCG’s annual allocation to the Affordable Housing Fund and led the effort in Council to tie that investment to a set percentage of the General Fund budget. I have also worked to strengthen the Public Infrastructure Fund and Industrial Revenue Bond policies to better support housing development. I support infill and redevelopment in areas where infrastructure already exists. I’ve also supported re-establishing a development authority to help spur strategic development across Lexington. Increasing housing at all price points will expand supply and ultimately improve both availability and affordability for our residents.

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:

Future decisions about the Urban Service Area should be guided by the data-driven framework established through the newly adopted Lexington Preservation and Growth Management Program. That process is designed to take a comprehensive look at our community’s needs by evaluating opportunities for infill development and the use of vacant or underutilized land, while also considering population growth and housing demand. At the same time, it balances those needs with our long-standing commitment to farmland preservation and the importance of supporting economic development. Using this information will allow Lexington to make thoughtful, long-term decisions about growth that strengthen our urban core, protect our rural landscape, and ensure we have the housing and economic opportunities needed for the future.

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 remain a supporter of Lexington’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program, which protects our farmland and helps preserve the rural landscape that defines our community. Just as important is supporting our local farmers and agricultural community, whose work sustains a vital part of our economy and heritage. Including the recent policy change to include small farms into the program to encourage more minority land owners participation in the program. The “A Sense of Place” initiative is a key component to sharing some of the stories of some of Lexington forgotten farmland workers and families that laid the foundation of our local agricultural industry.

I’m also encouraged by and support the recent investments in the growing Agri-Tech sector and new agricultural startups in Lexington. Supporting both farmland preservation and agricultural innovation ensures we strengthen our farm economy while positioning Lexington as a leader in the future of agriculture.