Election 2022 Candidate Questionnaire – Lillie Miller-Johnson

Running for: Council At-Large

Question: What brought you to Lexington-Fayette County? What do you love about our community?

I have lived here since I was 5 years old In county. That I grew up here it is home.

Question: Like the rest of the nation, Lexington faces critical challenges around developing adequate Affordable housing for low-income families and increasing attainable missing middle housing for the average income resident. What specific policy recommendations do you have to address these different challenges?

I was looking at infill and said as much In 2018 abandon Malls warehouses and other structures also house sharing…
And other ideas that I will not make at this time

Question: The 2018 Comprehensive Plan, Imagine Lexington, prioritizes infill redevelopment within the Urban Service Boundary as a primary strategy to accommodate our growth needs. How do you propose we incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused and underutilized land (much of which exists on our major commercial corridors) within the Urban Service Area? What specific policy recommendations or incentives do you think we could utilize to ensure we sustainably use our existing resources to meet our needs?

There is a need for conversation in this area which I will be willing to share when I am voted in yes but I was ask by LBAR what about expansion but with 51% still available that is a future

Question: The balance between our urban and rural areas is essential to our unique economy, environment, and quality of life in Lexington-Fayette County. Since the last expansion of the Urban Service Boundary in 1996, only 51% of the land brought within the boundary has been developed, and no Affordable housing has been built in those dedicated expansion areas. Do you support an expansion of the Urban Service Area during the current Comprehensive Planning update process? Please explain.

Since only 51% that is a question I will deal with once I am in Office as a Counci.person as you know preserving our land and environment is essential for our daily lives

Question: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow equitably and consider impacts on our marginalized and underserved communities. What specific policies would you recommend to incentivize community-driven investments in historically disinvested neighborhoods while preventing displacement which can result from gentrification? 

I have read of several other communities in the US and foreign so we will see but what I would like to see is the communities invest in themselves

Question: What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy? What specific policies do you recommend for: a) activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as the nearly 250 acres at Coldstream; b) creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area, and c) leveraging our unique assets and community strengths to support job growth and continued economic prosperity?

As always we should be advocating for more companies and utilization
Of those spaces but since I have not been at those meetings or boards that are dealing with these areas as you know I will have hold my input

Question: Fayette County agriculture industries are a significant part of our local economy and cultural identity, having a $2.3 billion dollar annual economic impact, supporting 1 out of every 12 jobs, and anchoring a $2 billion dollar local tourism industry. What specific policies do you support to ensure the continued strength of our agriculture industries and the rural land that supports them?

As a former Supervisor with the Fayette County Conservation District I say we continue with those grants plus some. Since I know we are losing farmers and farms there are areas that need to reinforced. Again I do not want to say too much

Question: The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds offer Lexington-Fayette County a transformational opportunity to invest in transportation, water, power and energy, environmental remediation, public lands, community resilience and broadband. What specific policy recommendations do you have for approaching quality of life investments and capital improvements to make the most efficient use of these funds in the coming years? What are the top priorities for investment in Lexington-Fayette County?

Again I was not given credit for answers last year but some and most of them were used but I was not looked at essential or worthy. I was asked what my Platform was and I said the Whole how can it not be, that is how you keep some kind of balance.

Question: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 24% of their income on transportation costs and 26% on housing. What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help alleviate both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Again, I attended meetings and forums with substantial ideas, when I get in these issues will be addressed believe me I have whole of Lexington Fayette as a concern