2024 Lexington-Fayette County Candidate Questionnaire

By Fayette Alliance / April 18, 2024 / Advocacy

2024 is an election year for Lexington-Fayette County.

Fayette Alliance sent new candidates and incumbents questionnaires to provide residents with insight into the land-use policies and growth decisions the potential elected officials of Lexington do, or do not, support.

Here’s how this works:

Step One: Use this map, provided by the City of Lexington, to locate your district.
Step Two: Use our Table of Contents to locate the candidates running for office in your district, and read their responses to our questionnaire.
Step Three: On Tuesday, May 21, vote for the candidate you believe will best represent your viewpoints and your district at City Hall.

Please visit the City of Lexington’s voting website, the League of Women Voters, or LexVote for more information regarding the 2024 Council elections, including registration, absentee ballots, and more.

District 1

Tayna Fogle

Tayna Fogle has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

Tyler Morton

Question No. 1: The 2045 Comprehensive Plan, despite including a mandate for expansion of the Urban Service Boundary (“USB”), prioritizes infill and redevelopment within the USB as a primary strategy to accommodate Lexington-Fayette County’s growth needs.

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: As a city, we must prioritize infill and redevelopment. In doing so, we must make sure constituents are informed and that the development meets the needs of the surrounding community’s concerns and our challenges. Likewise, we need to make sure that all of the proposed density is not taking place only on the north side of town. Put simply, we must be transparent, equitable, and responsible when leveraging infill and redevelopment. If elected, I commit to being an accessible leader who is attentive to the concerns of 1st District constituents while also making sure that our neighborhoods are informed and aware of proposed development.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: The 1st District is the most underserved and it needs direct investment. We have been left behind throughout the years and we must make sure that does not take place once we begin to expand. I propose we invest in the people by making sure that the 1st District has access to all of the needed resources and infrastructure to help them improve their quality of life. The bandaids being used to cover up our problems are not working, we must put our money where our mouth is and leverage funds to directly address the challenges that persist in the underserved communities. As a council, we must create a process and/or plan for what is needed in the expansion area. This process must be data-driven, responsible, and equitable while also meeting the needs of our city. This plan should highlight needed services such as affordable housing, access to transportation, food, education, child care, public safety, and infrastructure. While shedding light on the need for economic development, providing quality jobs and revenue for our city. Likewise, the plan should consist of energy-resilient, environmental considerations with an aim to build sustainable communities. If elected, I will work with my fellow council members to build a responsible, equitable, data-driven process and plan for our expansion area, while making sure that there is constant investment in the 1st District.

Answer 2: The 1st District is the most underserved and it deserves investment. One of our biggest challenges is community safety and the lack of wrap-around services needed to combat the challenge. The 1st District lacks high-quality infrastructure, youth programming, direct resources, quality jobs, educational support, and many other essential community services. If elected, I commit to advocating and leveraging funds for the much-needed investment in the 1st District.

Question No. 3: In 2023, before an objective process was created to guide long-term growth decisions around the Urban Service Boundary (“USB”), the Urban County Council mandated an expansion of the USB by between 2,700-5,000 acres. Theme E of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan now calls for work on a new, data-driven process to begin in 2025, after the creation of a new master plan for the currently proposed expansion areas.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: As a council, we must create a process for what is needed in the expansion area. This process must be data-driven, responsible, and equitable while also meeting the needs of our city. The process should highlight needed services such as affordable housing, access to transportation, food, education, child care, public safety, and infrastructure. It should shed light on the need for economic development, providing quality jobs and revenue for our city. Likewise, the plan should consist of energy-resilient, environmental considerations with an aim to build sustainable communities. If elected I will work with my fellow council members to build a responsible, equitable, data-driven process and plan for our expansion area, while making sure that there is constant investment in the 1st District.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: The pillars of our diverse economy include many different sectors of business including but not limited to agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, our universities, small business and nonprofits. Each stakeholder is just as important as the other. As a city, we must make sure that we continue to emphasize the need for a strong diverse economy that includes all business and trade types.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: The Coldstream area is an asset for Lexington. As a city, we must make sure that there is a plan in place to recruit a diverse group of businesses that offer high-quality jobs. If elected, I will work with the 2nd District Council Member, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, Commerce Lex, and other partners to build a plan that recruits businesses, training centers, and other entities aiming to create job opportunities and revenue for Lexington.

Answer 2: If elected, I will work with neighborhoods, business owners, developers, and other stakeholders to revitalize and make use of vacant commercial property aiming to meet the needs of our community while respecting the character of the community. I will also research innovative solutions like making the properties multi-use.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: As a city, we must invest in our public transportation infrastructure. We must incentivize developments to include bike/pedestrian access that is safe. Likewise, we must continue to find ways to connect our neighborhoods and local parks with existing trails. If elected, I commit to working with Lextran and other stakeholders to address our public transportation challenges. I will leverage funds to provide the 1st District with traffic-calming infrastructure to increase safety. I will work to enhance our bike lanes, add bicycle facilities, and create a network of safer roadways for our bicyclists and walkers.

Question No. 7: Lexington-Fayette County’s agriculture industries and prime soils contribute $2.3 billion annually to the local economy, support 1 out of every 12 jobs, and anchor a $1.5 billion local tourism industry.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: The Agriculture industry represents our history and our legacy. Likewise, it is a key piece of our yearly revenue. If elected, I will support policies that aim to preserve our agricultural industries, rural land, and natural resources.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: I will be an accessible leader that provides the 1st district with amplified information. I commit to making sure constituents are informed about what’s taking place and that they are given the opportunity to provide input. If elected, I will be a full-time Council Member who is attentive, responsive, and willing to share information promptly. I will ensure all 1st district constituents’ concerns are heard and relayed through the correct city channels when needed. I will host regular update forums, use social media, provide newsletters, and communicate with the 1st district constituents. Likewise, I will have multiple avenues of communication so that constituents can have access to my office to relay their concerns regarding land use policy and other matters.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: We need to consider programs that allow the city to play a role in the market as an affordable housing provider. Other cities, such as Cincinnati, have instituted a program to allow the government to acquire properties through a landbank or other holding entity, and or acquire vacant properties to create affordable housing. I look forward to working with the Office of Affordable Housing to build and implement similar programs for Lexington. Likewise, we must invest and expand our homeownership programs aiming to increase homeownership in Lexington’s underserved communities. If elected I will be a strong advocate for the creation of affordable housing aiming to leverage funding to increase the affordable housing fund. My office will inform residents about housing initiatives aimed at unifying and informing stakeholders regarding the trend of affordable housing in Lexington. I will be a strong advocate for constituents impacted by the housing crisis committed to providing information and resources tailored to their needs and creating more opportunities to enhance the city’s current resources.

It is our job as council members to create a process and/or plan for what is needed in the expansion area. This process must be data-driven, responsible, and equitable while also meeting the needs of our city. If elected I will work with my fellow council members to build a responsible, equitable, data-driven process and plan for our expansion area with an emphasis on addressing the need for housing in Lexington.

Answer 2: It is our job as council members to create a process and/or plan for what is needed in the expansion area. This process must be data-driven, responsible, and equitable while also meeting the needs of our city. If elected I will work with my fellow council members to build a responsible, equitable, data-driven process and plan for our expansion area with an emphasis on addressing the need for housing in Lexington.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer 1: Many cities are aiming to grow equitably, and sustainably, while intentionally addressing challenges. One city that comes to mind when it comes to intentional growth is Seattle. Another city that has been successful in dealing with vacant buildings and lots is Detroit. We should look at multiple cities as a model specifically tailored to the challenge we are aiming to address.

Answer 2: Seattle previously implemented the Growth Management Act, and they are currently considering the One Seattle Plan. Both policies are specially created to address the land use challenge in Seattle. I won’t go as far as saying we should adopt their policy but it is an example of how they used legislation and other means to address their challenges. If elected, I will address our challenges head-on through innovative problem-solving. Which consists of researching what other cities are doing to combat common challenges and looking to implement the policy or program if it will help address our challenge. I strongly believe no challenge is too big if we tackle it head-on together.

Darnell Tagaloa

Darnell Tagaloa has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

District 2

Shayla Lynch

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: We first need to take a hard look at the 17,000 acres that are vacant, underused and underutilized and answer the question “why” this land falls into these categories. Thereafter we should assess if there are remedial steps the city can take in partnership with others to turn the 17,000 acres into viable and equitable options that make sense considering the surrounding community it is located in.

I support land use policies that are fair, equitable, and that discourage displacement throughout Fayette County.

I support land use policies that will encourage creativity in design, that will foster inclusive communities, and that will support the Complete Streets model that we, the City Council, have adopted recently.

I support policies that will foster positive collaboration and ease of access between our Division of Planning and Preservation and the development community.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: Both investment in our current neighborhoods and planning for future neighborhoods can be done simultaneously and our 2045 Comprehensive Plan does just that. When crafting the goals and objectives for the 2045 Comprehensive Plan, I kept a keen eye on our existing neighborhoods and their needs as well as thinking about future developments. It was important to me to address the needs of our underserved and disinvested neighborhoods by proposing additions to the Goals and Objectives of the Comprehensive Plan that are taken directly from the recommendations from the final report given by the Mayor’s Commission for Racial Justice and Equality–a Commission in which I honorably served. I will continue to work to bridge needed gaps throughout our community until equity is achieved. Lastly, it is important that as a city we continue to be strategic in our planning so that we can continue to care for what we have and plan appropriately for our upcoming needs.

Answer 2: As one of the very few districts that has available land, District 2 will benefit from infrastructure improvements and the addition of retail businesses that will meet the needs of my quickly growing District. I am thankful that many of these District improvements are currently underway.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: Due to pending litigation between the Fayette Alliance and the City, I will not answer this question.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer:

People
Strong job growth, including supporting entrepreneurs and bringing new businesses to the area
Tourism
Education
Healthcare
Agritech
Equine Industry
Regional partnerships

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: Work is already underway to establish a diverse and bustling Legacy Business Park in the 2nd District. I am in support of working with partners, both locally and regionally to uniquely curate a positive economic driver for our community and beyond.

Answer 2: I believe that we can be creative with the vacant office and commercial spaces by creating more affordable housing with these spaces. I am supportive of a plan to research and study how we can turn these vacant spaces into affordable housing.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: It is important to encourage habits that will actively support the longevity of our planet while taking into account that everyone’s lives are different and a one-sized solution will probably not fit all. Comprehensive education should accompany any campaign championing the use of alternative modes of transportation and should also answer the question “why”.

Additionally, we will need to work to de-stigmatize public transportation in our city (often associated with low-income individuals) and increase access to it–define existing barriers to access and work to remove barriers that are preventing more folks from utilizing this service.

Supportive measures must be realistic for today’s Lexingtonian for buy-in to be successful. If our neighborhoods lack ease of access to grocery stores, banks, parks, and other essential services along safe sidewalks and well lit streets, utilizing alternative forms of transportation will be an extremely hard sell. The conversation must begin with an examination of access to resources in each community.

When we chose to adopt the Complete Streets model, this was a step in the right direction. With the Complete Streets framework in place, we will be able to successfully tackle the many barriers that currently exist regarding accessibility in all parts of our city. In addition, I have built a strong relationship with Lextran and I will continue to work with them to ensure that my neighbors’ public transportation needs are being met.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: I value the multifaceted role that agriculture plays in our city and region.

I support working together to preserve land for agricultural use, while also working to equitably address the urban growth that we have seen in Fayette County.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: I have truly enjoyed getting to know my neighbors throughout the 2nd District and keeping them abreast of the many decisions that come across my desk. It is very important to me that my neighbors are able to engage with the work of the City Council with knowledge and ease. An informed neighbor is an engaged neighbor. Since being in office I have instituted the following:

Shayla In The Second – Office hours throughout the District
Monthly newsletters
Informative District-wide Meetings twice a year
I am accessible via the following means: email, office phone, cell phone, Linktree website, in-person meetings and virtual meetings
I attend the monthly neighborhood association meetings and the homeowner association meetings
I regularly attend neighborhood activities and events to engage my neighbors and be available to them

I am blessed to have a District with many advocates and I appreciate their feedback on all issues.

Additionally, from almost the beginning of my time on City Council, I have been a member of the Public Input Sub-Committee. The goal of the Public Input Sub-Committee is to establish policy recommendations regarding how the public can engage and participate with City Council throughout the legislative process. I am very proud of the work we have already accomplished! These accomplishments include:

Website improvements that include a new Public Input page with detailed information regarding the legislative process and how to get involved.
Revised and updated Public Comment guidelines; these guidelines are now publicly available
Purchased and are currently using technology that adds ease to the Public Comment opportunities during formal meetings
Website improvements to translate the website into more languages than were previously available

Transparency is paramount and I will continue to advocate for it no matter the issue.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer: I was proud to vote in favor of designating a specific and permanent funding stream for the Affordable Housing Fund. Having an Affordable Housing Fund that is well-funded will only benefit our community by creating more affordable housing opportunities for all.

In addition, effectively resolving the city’s affordable housing crisis will involve bringing a diverse group of folks to the table who are ready, willing, and able to propose creative solutions that will result in the opportunity for all to thrive in Lexington. Cultivating spaces for these conversations is a priority for me.

It is quite clear from the Goals and Objectives of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan that the provision of safe, decent affordable housing in our community is a priority for our city and a strong step in the right direction.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: While quite unique, Lexington is facing similar obstacles as other cities across the United States. I believe it is important to not only research how other cities are tackling similar problems but also to communicate with city leaders in other communities and engage in direct knowledge sharing. Since I have been in office I’ve had the opportunity to speak to and query other city and community leaders, and this is a practice I plan to continue.

One new initiative that I recently read about is how renters in Philadelphia are receiving housing assistance that is helping to leap the hurdle of source of income discrimination. The Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation is currently running a new pilot program that is subsidizing rent for renters in need. 300 participants who were on the public housing authority’s voucher waitlist were randomly selected to participate in the pilot program. The households could not earn no more than 50% of the local median income and include a child at home under the age of 15. Renters in the program pay 30% of their income toward housing and they receive a debit card loaded with enough money to cover the rest. This program being offered by the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation is funded by a mix of public money and philanthropy.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is closely monitoring the results of this program and is already encouraging other cities to replicate this model. I believe this model could also potentially work in our community so I will continue my research and data collection, because continuing to remove housing barriers in Lexington is tantamount to me!

Jacques Wigginton

Jacques Wigginton has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

District 3

Hannah LeGris

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: The benefits of densification are numerous and supported by many livability indices, which is part of why I did not support the expansion of the Urban Services Boundary. Densification simplifies the creation and maintenance of infrastructure, increases overall energy efficiency compared to rural development, and increases the value of the local economy. I will continue to promote realistic infill whenever feasible and advocate for equitable development by encouraging the LFUCG to incentivize under-utilized spaces within the Urban Services Boundary. During this term, I served on the LFUCG Infill and Redevelopment Committee, which was focused on ways to execute infill projects without compromising quality of life. I know that there are ways to more creatively and intentionally zone and use the land within the USB, and to do so with a proactive approach that brings both neighborhoods and developers into the conversation. Not only can we support more industries within the USB, but we can also help to provide for diverse housing needs and support mixed-use developments so that we use the space within our boundary in a more organized and environmentally-friendly way. Moving forward, locating additional tools in order to pursue these goals will remain a primary legislative goal of mine.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: Almost 250 years after Lexington’s settlement, we still do not have an equitably-functioning city in our already-established Urban Services Boundary. To support our existing neighborhoods, we must continue to invest in critical needs within our city – sidewalks, high-quality public transit, social services, affordable housing, a range of employment opportunities, functioning storm sewer infrastructure, and access to fresh food, public safety, maintained roads, etc. Such investment requires intention and a long-term strategy that balances the needs of historical areas of our cities with the demands of the proposed expansion area. This necessitates policies that prioritize people so that Lexingtonians can thrive no matter their zip code.

Answer 2: Within my own district, we need to make sure that we can diversify our housing stock, provide more access to home ownership and affordable rental units, use the approximately 37% of our downtown that is currently allocated for surface parking in more dynamic ways, and invest in our businesses so that we ensure a thriving, safe, and active downtown. To do so, we need to create a downtown master plan that accounts for the future needs of our city and charts an obtainable vision for how we want the core of Lexington to evolve. From there, we would make pointed steps toward enacting this master plan over the next decade so that the densest part of our city develops equitably and thoughtfully, using other downtown success stories that we most want to emulate in terms of safety, walkability, retail, housing, and quality of life.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: I believe that we can look toward cities like Portland when determining the future boundaries of our Urban Services Area, not only in terms of measured growth but also regarding the narrative of growth and the data collection involved with how, where, and why said growth occurs. Every six years, the Portland Metro Government prepares a forecast of population and employment growth for the region for the next 20 years and, if deemed necessary, adjusts the boundary to meet the needs of growth forecast for that 20-year period. As part of this process, a data-driven Urban Growth report is assessed by the Portland Metro Council; the determination of ‘necessity’ is based upon clear forecasted needs, and the land under consideration for expansion has already been classified based on four levels of priority. Before any recommendation of the expansion of the growth boundary is produced, the Council first works to enhance the efficiency of land within the existing boundary, steps that are inclusive of, but not limited to upzoning, transportation investments, enhancement of public infrastructure, brownfield redevelopment, and the pointed accommodation of more dense housing and jobs. If every possibility is exhausted within the current boundary, then assessment of an expansion, based on land classification as aforementioned, occurs. This process can take up to two years and is informed by data that is consistently gathered and assessed; the process has been informed by the understanding that “land alone can’t address housing needs, particularly for people making lower wages,” that “growth could be accommodated in a number of ways that may or may not involve UGB [Urban Growth Boundary] expansions,” and an “outcomes-based approach acknowledges that development will only occur when there is adequate governance, infrastructure finance, and market demand, and, therefore, any discussion of adding land to the UGB should focus on identifying areas with those characteristics.” (Source:
oregonmetro.gov/ugb)

I share this as a case study because, in Portland, the decision to expand is not based on conjecture, political opportunity, emotion, or the idea of the demand for housing and jobs, but on actual data that is consistently gathered and shared with decision-makers. From there, infill, connection, and densification are prioritized before any expansion is produced. In Lexington, we are in the position to build a similar system that would chart a much more even-keeled path forward for any growth conversations and decisions.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: Lexington is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. We are fortunate to have multiple universities, regional industries, arts and cultural activities, a beautiful rural landscape, a walkable city center, a booming healthcare industry, diverse agricultural communities, and a highly educated workforce. In order to promote socially responsible job creation and land use, we must plan for the types of businesses we want to attract and retain. This should be a shared effort between LFUCG, Commerce Lexington, current and prospective employers, and our multiple universities and training centers. Tools include workforce development training, well-planned infill and redevelopment, tax incentives for desirable projects, and collaboration with key stakeholders like Commerce Lexington, post-secondary institutions, and professional organizations.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer: In the previous question, I mentioned the range of collaborations and tools necessary to bring in multiple types of businesses. As people seek out professional and personal opportunities within our city, it is our responsibility to keep Lexington affordable, navigable, and beautiful – while providing residents with a sense of possibility. The Coldstream project is ongoing, and we have been working to recruit businesses that are a strong, sustainable fit for the space. By building even more dynamic relationships between the network of universities, healthcare systems, and entrepreneurs, while highlighting the unique attributes of our city, we can recruit a wider range of industries to Central Kentucky. It is entirely possible to protect our landscape, build more housing, incorporate new industries, and creatively use the acreage within the USB at the same time. Doing so requires vision, policy measures, financial incentives, and the will to look beyond our current practices. We must engage with property owners, business people, developers, and creative thinkers to use our commercial spaces differently; leaders within Lexington are already exploring the possibilities to integrate more multi-use spaces, conversion of office and commercial to dwelling units, and how to manage adaptive reuse in a successful way. Furthermore, there are cities across the nation that have modeled productive ways of attracting both businesses and workers from a wider range of industries. Part of that equation has to do with concurrent investment in quality of life indicators – the arts, more accessible roads and trails, performance spaces, housing diversity, and parks – which create a more welcoming environment for innovation and creativity.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: Bike and pedestrian initiatives, walkable communities, and robust use of public and alternative transportation are crucial to the health and accessibility of the city. Along with my colleagues on the Council, city planners, and community stakeholders, I was involved in forming our comprehensive Complete Streets policy, the goal of which is to rethink our roadways for all
types of travel. These policies are needed no matter how people navigate our city – whether via car, public transit, bike, or foot – but we also need to facilitate a change of culture and norms more generally. Building safe, accessible, and equitable communities requires rethinking how we connect the different parts of our city. We are making progress with our trail systems, but Lexington is long overdue in modernizing its transit. The expansion of Town Branch Trail, reconnecting the Legacy Trail, and the opening of Brighton Trail are all important in getting more people on their bikes and feeling comfortable moving through our city without cars. It will take time but building sidewalks, investing in trails and protected bike lanes, and ensuring that connectivity and safety are prioritized both in established neighborhoods and new developments is the healthy and equitable way for our
community to move forward.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: While urbanism dominates discussion within Lexington, we must also protect and maintain our agricultural legacy. Horse farms are a key part of our identity, and working horticultural farms are vital to our local food system. These local businesses help improve our community health, decrease our carbon footprint, and diversify our economy, all while increasing resilience during
crises or disruptions. We should continue to support farmsteads and new farmers by crafting policies that encourage agriculturalism while protecting the landscape. Collectively, it is essential that we balance the need for more housing and industry while protecting our agricultural and associated natural resources, which cannot be replaced once
they are gone. Agritourism has also increased significantly over time and the city should continue to take advantage of its location. We must improve our development practices before we permanently change the landscape around us, and that means policies that both invest in and also protect the environment. Through intentional planning, community buy-in, investments and promotion for our local agricultural businesses, and continuing protection for agriculturally-zoned land, we can further strengthen our community and environment for the future.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: I serve as the Chair for our Public Input Subcommittee, which is focused on better practices for engaging with residents, businesses, and a range of stakeholders within the community so that they have accurate information about the work of Council and feel equipped to engage with decision-makers in a productive way. For over a year, we have worked to improve our processes for how our residents can connect with the Council. We have refined and clarified the rules for giving in-person public input to Council, modernized the sign-in process for residents who come to speak with us, and provided knowledgeable ambassadors to assist with the sign-in process who can explain what to expect and how to review the docket. As a result of our Subcommittee work, we have created a new Public Information Officer role within the Council staff so that we can more directly educate residents about our work, provide more legible resources to our community, and build more of an outward-facing presence across Council offices through newsletters, social media, and press releases. Beyond that, we have redesigned our public input website and purchased more software tools, like Engagement HQ, so that we can get real-time input from residents about the issues in front of Council and make it simpler for them to track legislation.

At the current moment, we are generating more ways for Council to share information out in the community, partnering with nonprofits like CivicLex to develop more dynamic civic engagement events with the goal of making it easier for residents to get information about the issues that most matter to them. Local government is the most immediate form of government for our community, and as a local, nonpartisan elected official, it is my priority to be as accessible to my constituents as possible. By making it easier for Lexingtonians to get involved, we generate more clarity around our legislative process and, in turn, foster trust and mutual curiosity.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: I am a strong proponent of creating more diversified, mixed-income, and evolving format housing to serve the growing community needs. I serve on the Affordable Housing Governance Board and the board of the Lexington Community Land Trust (LCLT), an organization that provides a great affordable housing model in Lexington. I believe that through zoning decisions and investments in both established and new neighborhoods, we can provide for missing housing needs while supporting our Affordable Housing priorities. LFUCG has already taken important steps by creating the Affordable Housing Fund, and during my terms on Council we have allocated a record amount to that initiative, including a mandated percentage of each year’s budget. We also created a new Housing Advocacy and Community Development division, which will focus on more funding for people to live in safe, maintained, affordable housing. In addition to engaging more developers in a collective way, as with the Transylvania University project, and via partnerships between the LCLT and the LFUCG Land Bank, we can increase housing stock for low-income buyers. In addition, partnerships with REACH, Habitat for Humanity, and developers within Fayette County could expand rehabilitation for existing homeowners needing assistance.

Answer 2: Regarding the expansion and the relationship therein to housing, I do not believe that the free market’s simple model of supply and demand will naturally meet housing needs within Lexington without more clarity on housing types beyond R-1. City planners are currently at work on the Urban Growth Management Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (UGM ZOTA), which will assist in incentivizing more density, walkability, and affordability in our city, including within the expansion area. This is a step in the right direction; however, if we do not continue to invest in affordable, multiformat infill-oriented housing proximate to jobs and public transportation then we are not meeting the true needs of our residents.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: In 2023, I participated in the Next City Vanguard Conference in Richmond, Virginia. This conference is focused on rising urban leaders who have an interest and are actively working to improve their cities across the sectors of urban planning, community development, entrepreneurship, government, transportation, sustainability, design, art, and media. In 2024, the Vanguard Conference will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, an opportunity that will bring energetic and innovative leaders from across the nation into our community to engage with issues around urban-rural themes, land use, city planning, infill, equity, and related subjects. This will provide the space for a wealth and diversity of perspectives to be part of our city’s land use, tourism, housing, industry, and development ecosystem. In order to engage with practices that will work for Lexington, we need to bring in leaders who can assess our city through a more innovative and creative lens, while valuing the importance of tools like our Urban Services Boundary. In that process, we have the opportunity to look toward other mid-sized ‘university cities’ to see how they manage the relationship and housing demands associated with a growing university presence and the demand for walkability, accessible public transportation, and safe paths for cyclists; such cities may include Ann Arbor, Madison, or Durham, for example. We can also learn from the innovative relationship-building and collaboration occurring in relation to land use management in Portland, Oregon, and the related work of ‘1,000 Friends of Oregon’ which can provide us with different framing of sprawl
and growth boundaries. Finally, as a community, it is essential that we shift our approach to housing and move away from a single-family residential model when it comes to new housing development, skewing instead toward townhomes, condominiums, and more multifaceted housing options for purchase and rental needs. If we do so while investing in engaging and functional public spaces, walking and biking paths, neighborhood businesses, and other forms of densified liveable zoning then we can more easily allow for people to age in place, build community, and maintain a high quality of life.

District 4

Brenda Monarrez

Brenda Monarrez has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

Brack Marquette

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: Though addressed more thoroughly in some answers that follow, there are specific areas that I will be taking particular interest in as your elected representative:

Neighborhood Service Centers
a. revitalization of existing neighborhood centers that are outdated or underutilized or vacant is essential for vibrant localities within Lexington-Fayette
b. neighborhood centers must be extensively incorporated in new expansion areas in order to reduce transportation loads on major arteries, make access to services convenient, and provide walkable living
Expansion of Truly Affordable Housing
a. much laudable progress has been made by an attentive and deliberate LFUCG government
b. the remaining need is immense and will need more creativity to assemble additional funding offsets and find ways to absorb the high cost of additional real estate
Incentivized Real Estate Acquisition
Expensive real estate costs must not deter or slow progress on additional affordable housing units across Lexington-Fayette. New and innovative real estate purchase incentive programs are needed and needed soon.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: We must do both. We cannot ignore one over the other. Costs will be considerable over the next 10-20 years as growth and redevelopment in all areas of Lexington-Fayette compete for resources. Prior to decisions the public/taxpayers should expect from Council and LFUCG all the facts coupled with generous citizen input. Political surprises are not the kind of stewardship our exceptional assets deserve. For example, in past decades sewer and stormwater needs inside older areas of the city were largely ignored while services were extended into the expanded USB. I understand this issue well as I was the HOA president of an older neighborhood where hospital sewage (bandages, needles, etc.) was flooding out into our yards while new expansion areas were being outfitted for utilities. The price paid for mismanagement then is the costly federally mandated upgrades and hefty sewer fees we pay now. We deserve better stewardship than kicking the problems and the costs down the road for the next generation. While I will represent you as a budget champion for “pay as we go,” I am confident we can find ways to effectively manage fair, equitable, and responsible growth. But, it will require much patience and willingness to compromise to get the best results.

Answer 2: District 4 is largely built out with little available open land for development. District 4 has residential areas, though, that are 40-50 years old and will be requiring upgrades to original infrastructure. Even in newer developed areas of District 4 to the south there are substantial issues with regard to sewage treatment and odor. While LFUCG has responded quickly and expertly to the West Hickman sewer plant management and equipment issues, we are a long way from knowing if recent improvements will fully address the problems. After all, the West Hickman plant handles nearly ½ of all sewage in Lexington-Fayette, and a huge portion of the piping for the plant runs throughout District 4. Key questions going forward are:

1) Will the expansion of the USB add to the capacity and treatment problems at West Hickman?

2) If needed, who will pay the costs associated with adding volume and increasing capacity?

3) Will environmental infrastructure in District 4 be kept up to date at the same time new infrastructure is added in expansion areas?

As the District 4 Council representative I will bring expertise from my executive leadership in the Kentucky environment cabinet. My time “at the table” with local, state, and federal EPA officials will be of value to District 4 and the entire Council.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: Among the top priorities for both a) existing built-out neighborhoods, such as the 4th District, and b) new areas of development are abundant, safe, and convenient resident access to vibrant neighborhood service centers—groceries, gas stations, pharmacies, health care, cleaners, restaurants, and more.

We must address existing neighborhoods where service centers are:

not available,
vacated or in decline,
undersized/underutilized,
far removed from easy access on foot or by non-auto,
accessible without the use of major traffic arteries, or accessible without the need for pedestrian crossing of major traffic arteries

Research and implementation of best-in-class design models for new expansion areas are essential for vibrant, robust neighborhood service centers. We must avoid creating new service center deserts.

Research and planning to optimize land use, increase density, and pay for quality infrastructure.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: Lexington-Fayette’s existing economic sectors in agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality/tourism, and retail are a strong base. However, we appear to have in place key elements for attracting more employment in corporate management, professional services, technical services, and research and should maximize our efforts to build these employment sectors.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: Having worked with leaders at North Carolina’s Research Triangle Partnership, I understand first-hand that it takes patience and time to attract business and industry who will share a good fit with the Lexington-Fayette economic, environmental, and labor balance. It’s not simply about having land occupied. Rather it is about hosting employers on our land who are capable of sustained investment in our people for generations to come. We already have great examples of that good fit, such as Lexington-Fayette’s health care sector. Continuing to attract the right partners to the most appropriate locations is the assignment. That said, we cannot overlook that our outlook must be regional. As abundantly proven by Toyota, our local economic future is about more than Lexington-Fayette alone.

Answer 2: Vacant office and commercial space in Lexington-Fayette needs to be saturated with new use strategies if the existing vacant space is 1) no longer desirable, 2) underutilized, 3) outdated, or 4) now located away from more viable office and commercial centers. Re-design and re-assignment of zoning and use must be used to help revitalize and fill existing vacant space. Abandoning existing space for new expansion is not a wise option for existing neighborhoods that must be kept viable and vibrant and needs and demand changes over time. Simply walking away from non-viable structures is not an option for a space needy community. That said, revitalizing vacant and available office and commercial space, regardless of its location, should be incentivized similarly to industrial recruitment and development. Let's give close examination to opportunities where substantial revitalization and reuse of vacant office and commercial space can positively enhance our neighborhoods. Attractive and vibrant neighborhood centers can play an essential role in creating demand for services and quality amenities like public transportation, parks, walkable streets, and interconnected trails.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: First, recent analysis from our business community indicates an important competitive weakness for Lexington-Fayette–keeping, attracting, and competitively paying educated and trained employees. Without creating a robust workforce, who will make investment of any kind in manufacturing, office space, commercial property, and the trades? One way to think about this challenge is to remember that it is the bees who make the honey, not vice versa. You’ve got to attract and keep the bees regardless of how many hives you build or have available. Attractive and vibrant neighborhood centers can play an essential role in creating demand for services and quality amenities like public transportation, parks, walkable streets, and interconnected trails.Second, while the 278-page 2022 LexTran Operations Report provides a remarkable amount of data on current operations and customer usage, these are areas for which I will be a strong advocate:

a. improved inner-neighborhood passenger service
b. increased route connection points for travel ease across all routes
c. fleet vehicle acquisition to better match actual passenger volumes on routes
d, viable route connections to neighboring communities and cities
e, improved coordination between large employers and availability of routes serving their employees

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: Those with expertise and the facts about all aspects of our growth decisions should always be consulted before growth policy moves forward. So, too, should ample, timely, and thorough public input. While we cannot simply halt progress, we must shape it to match our best ideal of our community. No doubt, we have tough decisions ahead. I will put forward fair, just, reasonable, innovative, and fact-based options that 1) sustain our strengths, 2) balance emerging commerce alongside existing business, and 3) maintain our exceptional quality of life. It is the balancing of these three legs of the stool that is the objective. We cannot sacrifice any one of them for the other two. Compromises will be needed, and those that maintain the delicate balance must be sought and gained in good faith.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: I will serve ALL with optimal transparency and inclusion to:

Listen intently.
Listen often.
Ask for details.
Fully understand the issues.
Get the facts. Get the facts. Get the facts.
Analyze thoroughly.
Discuss options and listen some more.
Think creatively about solutions.
Help find an effective, fair, reasonable, and affordable compromise.
Always revisit the outcome for adjustment.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: As with many pressing needs, the pace of response will never be enough. In the past decade, LFUCG has made impressive impact on affordable housing availability, and the goals already in place for the next 5 years will meaningfully provide for more. That said, affordable housing need will be ongoing with no end in sight. Current LFUCG leaders have brought an impressive array of resources together—funding options, willing investors and builders, and more—who will continue to make steady progress as long as the public and private financial underpinnings stay in place at the local, state, and federal levels. What more can we do to hasten the progress on more affordable housing? One area needing attention is acquisition alternatives for open land and real estate. Within the free market, how can we accumulate land for affordable housing without letting the high cost of our valuable real estate become the deciding factor to end a project plan? Let me represent you among our future government and community leaders to methodically work toward a solution to this tough challenge.

Answer 2: No. There will always be housing needs when there is an attractive community and a vibrant and often unique business portfolio at its core. There will be few, if any, other locations to which we can adequately compare ourselves and turn to for planning models. For example, Columbus, Ohio, is often lauded for its superior planning and handling of impressive growth. But Lexington-Fayette is not surrounded by endless miles of corn fields. There is an exceptionalism about Lexington-Fayette which is not contrived or exaggerated. So, too, then, management of our finite assets must be exceptional and vigilant. Should we continue to accommodate growth? The answer is an emphatic “yes.” Thankfully, though, we have the USB and benefit from past leaders who saw its potential to save our uniqueness. That is why we must continue to rigorously test the assumptions and carefully forecast the consequences of our boundary extensions. There is increasingly no room for error. Every extension puts us that much closer to the tipping point where we risk losing our exceptionalism. We have no choice but to be extraordinarily, often painstakingly, methodical, and knowledgeable about how we accommodate inevitable growth. Quality planning with extensive input will best enable us to build, grow, and revitalize Lexington-Fayette over and over again without ending the dream.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer 1: The annual Commerce Lexington visits to other cities is hugely informative and helpful. We find programs and initiatives that fit certain of our needs. However, with regard to growth and handling urban expansion in a rarefied rural economy, no twin has appeared of which I am aware. As stated above, Lexington-Fayette is nearly alone in this type of growth arena and what we do is instructive to others for good or ill. We are the model. We have, often, the burden of creating new cloth as we go. May it always be enviable.

Answer 2: I am always receptive to new ideas and ways of dealing with complex issues. Thorough research and fact-finding has a true friend in me. I look forward to any examples elsewhere that will work effectively and fairly for Lexington-Fayette.

Emma Curtis

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: I opposed the Urban Service Boundary expansion and if I were on Council at the time, I would have voted against it. That being said–since it is happening one way or another–we need to ensure that Council doesn’t lose sight of the need for infill and redevelopment projects so that another attempted band-aid solution doesn’t become necessary.

To move forward with infill and redevelopment projects, I believe it’s necessary to reevaluate the costly and convoluted exaction fee system put in place on much of the land acquired in the 1996 expansion. I also support the creation of additional incentives for developers to repurpose underutilized commercial and industrial buildings into mixed-use housing.

Additionally, I will push for a thorough review and overhaul of our zoning ordinances and land-use guidelines with the goal of encouraging responsible new development and redevelopment of the vacant, underused, and underutilized land while maintaining the unique character that makes Lexington special.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: It is going to take careful work to balance investing in underserved areas while also working towards responsible expansion. That being said, I don’t believe the two goals are inherently contradictory. To invest in our existing neighborhoods and underserved areas, I support partnering with and supporting groups that organize within their neighborhoods, such as A Sense of Place which works with Rural Black Hamlets in Lexington. We must also keep a watchful eye towards preventing the pursuit of redevelopment from pushing families out of their homes and destroying the character of our communities. Regarding the newly proposed expansion areas, I am fully committed to implementing expansion in as thoughtful, intentional, and equitable a way as possible. That means increasing our stock of affordable housing, prioritizing road safety, preventing urban sprawl, and learning from our mistakes to ensure we don’t repeat the missteps of the 1996 expansion.

Answer 2: The most pressing issue facing the 4th District, and the one that will require the most intentional investment and planning, is fixing Nicholasville Road. Over the past year, many opportunities have arisen for our current District 4 Councilmember to advocate and fight for funding to improve Nicholasville Road. Unfortunately, they have decided to avoid the issue almost entirely. I believe Council needs to work in collaboration with our partners at the state and federal level to thoughtfully, intentionally, and promptly invest in infrastructure to improve Nicholasville Road’s safety, efficiency, and accessibility. This major artery has been a nightmare for our community for my entire life. It’s past time for us to step up, get the job done, and fix it. Additionally, it is becoming clearer and clearer by the day that District 4 is going to require serious and urgent investments to replace outdated and dangerous sewer infrastructure that has been plaguing residents in the southern part of District 4. The folks who live in the communities directly impacted by these issues have been advocating for solutions from Council since the fall of 2023, but progress has been slow-moving and ineffective. Our Council can, and must, do better.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: Any decisions about future expansion need to be made thoughtfully and intentionally to avoid urban sprawl in Lexington.

As we go through the process of expansion, we need to consider the impact that new growth will have on traffic and road safety, the sewer infrastructure of proposed expansion areas, which socioeconomic groups will bear the burden of expansion, and what impact expansion into certain areas would have on our crucial agricultural communities.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: Lexington is the economic engine of Central Kentucky because we have attracted employers large and small while also supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs across a wide array of economic sectors. Chief among the pillars of our economy are the agriculture, hospitality, tourism, public education, healthcare, and equine industries.

As our population and economy continue to grow, it is imperative that we have available land for new development and affordable commercial real estate to both attract new businesses to Lexington and encourage local entrepreneurship.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: Recently, we have seen a migration from major cities like New York and Los Angeles to regional hubs like Lexington and Cincinnati. I believe what will bring growth to areas like Coldstream is small communities of mixed-use zoning, where people are close to work, necessities, and community. People, especially young professionals with a decent income, are attracted to these communities, and businesses naturally are as well.

Answer 2: As for the mounting issue of vacant office and commercial spaces, I believe we should encourage in-community investment, particularly from smaller local businesses. Again, this will happen by allowing for more mixed-use zoning. People will want to frequent the small hair-cutting place that their neighbor owns next door instead of the chain a mile down the road. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lexington provided grants to small business owners. I believe we should continue to do that in order to stimulate growth and have more small businesses take up shop in the vacant spaces.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: I believe that this is amongst the most impactful issues facing Lexington-Fayette County and I have two primary goals to address it: First and foremost, we must make our roads safe for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and those who use public transit alike. In 2023, Kentucky State Police data showed that we saw a 566% increase in pedestrian fatalities from car crashes in Lexington over what we saw in 2022. This issue is personal to me. Late last year, my friend Mia was killed when they were hit by a car while crossing Nicholasville Road at a crosswalk during a red light. On Council, my top priority will be increasing road safety and reducing traffic with a specific focus on Nicholasville Road. We need to improve and expand the Complete Streets Action Plan, invest in infrastructure projects for pedestrian safety and community walkability, and improve access to public transportation. Secondly, we need a serious overhaul of our public transit system. LexTran needs to be fast, reliable, and affordable. Currently, it’s slow, inconsistent, and expensive. I will work to increase bus frequency, add routes, and invest wisely to ensure that LexTran gets everyone where they need to go at a reasonable pace. Doing so will not only increase access to transportation—it will improve air quality, reduce traffic, and make our roads safer.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: The agriculture industry is a major part of what makes Lexington special. I spent the first 17 years of my life growing up on my family’s tobacco farm on Old Frankfort Pike. I’m personally familiar with the agriculture industry and the need to protect Central Kentucky’s unique and supreme soil quality. I am also an avid supporter of the mission of the Lexington Farmers Market and a believer in the positive impact that access to local produce can have on our communities.

In order to continue to protect our rural areas, I support the plan outlined in ImagineLex’s 2017 Rural Land Management Plan. I believe in supporting small family farms, like the one I grew up on. We should be hiring food coordinators to connect local small farmers to businesses that want to buy fresh local food. I will also support and promote small farms that provide tourism opportunities in order to supplement their income and offer more job opportunities to Lexington residents.

Our farms and rural areas are beautiful and something Lexington should be proud of, especially as we claim to be the Horse Capital of the World. I love the character of the historic roads and fences around Lexington and, as a Councilmember, I will always prioritize the preservation of our historic sites and structures.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: I am fully committed to increasing transparency and accessibility in our local government. Throughout my campaign, I’ve been focused on meeting the folks who live in District 4 where they’re at–whether it’s at a community event, on a neighbor’s doorstep, or through my social media accounts. Many folks in District 4 aren’t aware of what all goes into running a campaign and it’s been incredibly rewarding to invite folks in so they can see what the process actually entails.

I believe that local democracy begins at the doorstep. As I’ve been knocking on doors to speak with voters in District 4, I’ve been shocked to learn that the overwhelming majority don’t even know their current Councilmember’s name or how to reach them. I plan on changing that. It’s why I made all of my personal social media pages public and continue to give my personal cell phone number out to every voter I speak with.

That commitment to transparency will not waiver once I’m elected to serve on Council. In addition to utilizing social media to publicize the issues coming before Council and my positions on them, I have committed to hosting monthly town hall meetings in District 4. I’ve also committed to holding less formal monthly “Coffee with your Councilmember” events where constituents can bring issues directly to my attention and we can have fruitful one-on-one discussions about their needs.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer: Housing affordability is vital to protecting Lexington’s future. A recent study cited by the New York Times revealed that Lexington is the third hardest city in the United States for people of my generation to buy homes. I have so many family and friends who work in Lexington but aren’t able to live in Lexington, which contributes to the commuting crisis, traffic, and has an overall negative impact on their quality of life.

I don’t believe that the expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will automatically solve this problem. If we aren’t careful, expansion will create more of the same problem while only offering a very temporary solution.

The difficult truth is that there is no instant one-size-fits-all solution that will solve our affordable housing crisis. We need an all-hand-on-deck approach which prioritizes Lexington families over the profits of predatory out-of-state developers.

I recently read an article profiling Muskegon, MI that mentioned the city building housing on vacant or abandoned lots. I believe that Lexington would benefit significantly from this approach, since we have many lots in walkable areas around that could be utilized effectively for medium housing projects.

I think we should also consider additional restrictions on the short-term housing market, especially with unhosted rentals, where large out-of-state businesses are buying up properties and renting them out to tourists, making it harder for people to afford housing who are actually going to live in our city while impeding our traditional hospitality industry.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: One of the cities that I’ve been looking at in terms of growth inspiration is Madison, Wisconsin. It has a slightly smaller population than Lexington, with 269,840 to Lexington’s 322,570 (as of the 2020 census). They have a lot in common. Both are the second largest city in their state, and both have a large college campus near downtown which significantly impacts traffic and development.

Madison has a Complete Green Streets Approach, with a Vision Zero plan to get to zero traffic deaths in Madison. One huge feature of this plan is their commuter bike path, which is a safe and entirely separate bike path that goes from where many people live to the downtown area. In and around their city, their bike paths are separated by concrete curbs, which has been proven to save the lives of cyclists. Additionally, they have effectively utilized curb cuts to allow strollers and wheelchairs to access paths as well.

Additionally, Madison has a higher investment in their public transit system than Lexington does. Of their $405.4 million annual budget, Madison invests $67.8 million, which is nearly 17% of the budget. In comparison, of Lexington’s $480 million budget, we have invested $34 million in LexTran in 2024, which is 7% of our budget. Available data suggests that cities tend to have more effective public transit systems when commuters are able to use them to get to and from work. In order to get there, we need to invest more in public transit and take a more hands-on approach to significantly overhaul LexTran.

District 5

Liz Sheehan

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: Infill and redevelopment make the most of our existing infrastructure, provide a fiscally responsible development pattern, and continue to be crucial for accommodating Lexington’s growth. I am proud of my record supporting both individual projects and regulatory reform that makes infill viable. This Council has passed numerous regulation changes that encourage and legalize the type of development called for in the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. We are currently the 7th largest city in the United States to eliminate costly and wasteful parking mandates, we legalized previously disallowed housing options to address pressing affordability and availability issues, and are currently working toward housing bonuses for developers who provide affordable and workforce housing.

Though we have made significant strides in these areas, there is still work to do. The Lexington Public Infrastructure Program is a good start towards addressing gap funding in infill/redevelopment projects, but we should look at ways to improve that program to incentivize the type of housing we so desperately need. There are also more zoning reforms necessary to increase housing opportunities and make mixed-use development more enticing for developers. Additionally, though infill is incredibly important, it is imperative to ensure these developments fit within the existing fabric of the neighborhood and serve the needs of future occupants. The 2045 Comprehensive Plan calls for design standards and guidelines for infill projects to make certain that new projects are accomplishing these goals. In my third term, I will continue to work with stakeholders to address these issues and implement creative policies and regulations that both incentivize and allow the types of development the community has been clear it supports. Moreover, I will continue to support zone changes coming before Council for development projects that increase housing in our community, particularly when it is an in-fill project.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: There is no reason why we cannot both invest in our current neighborhoods and plan for the future of Lexington in the newly proposed expansion areas; these are not mutually exclusive endeavors. In fact, holistically reimagining our approach to land use and city planning is necessary to address problems of our community’s own making: the historically inequitable, often purposefully so, planning practices here at home. It is vitally important to make sure new development follows the same principles and goals we have laid out for infill and redevelopment. The Urban Service Boundary has taken many shapes since it was established in 1958, but the concept has always been the same – ensuring new development does not put an undue burden on the taxpayers. It is as important now as it has ever been to develop in a way that can serve all people, new and current residents. Right now, in my district and across the community, we are spending money to retrofit existing facilities and modernize our aging infrastructure. We are trying to transform dangerous roads into complete streets for all users, rectify long-standing sewer overflow problems, create missing middle housing options that have long been disallowed by our local zoning, add tree canopy where it previously didn’t exist, and continue to engage our neighbors in these vital conversations. These solutions are important and must continue, but we must recognize and act on the opportunity before us to get development right the first time and relieve future generations from having to face the same problems.

Answer 2: There are areas and neighborhoods in Lexington that have historically been neglected and even worse, purposefully underinvested in and discriminated against. This has left behind a legacy of inequity and placed many residents at a disadvantage, removing their ability to accumulate generational wealth. Redlining, racist deed restrictions, and exclusionary zoning practices have all contributed to this problem, which has disproportionately impacted people of color. Homeownership rates for Black (35.3%) and Hispanic (16.3%) residents lag significantly behind White residents (59.4%) (Imagine Lexington 2045, pg 75). We must do better. Thanks to the collaboration between Planning staff and the Commission for Racial Justice and Equity and LFUCG’s Equity and Implementation Officer, we have a vision for how we do just that. I have been, and will continue, moving their recommendations forward and advocating for support that is needed to implement policies that address the inequities in our community. One such policy is Theme A Equity Policy 1- Ensure equitable development and address Lexington’s segregation resulting from historic planning practices and policies: Rectify the impact of redlining and discrimination based on race and socioeconomic status. I am proud to say that my vote for this Comprehensive Plan includes such bold and necessary policy priorities which pointedly address our complex history and recognize the incredible honor I have to serve alongside my colleagues who have also prioritized this work.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: With my research and education background, I prioritize data-driven, collaborative, and innovative solutions to our most pressing issues, and this is one of the most challenging land use issues we face. I consistently supported the creation of a data-driven process for evaluating Urban Service Boundary decisions and, when Vice Mayor Wu brought forward an amendment to prioritize the defining of that process before an expansion; I voted in support of his amendment. That amendment did not pass, 5 votes to 8. However, the process was still included in the Comprehensive Plan Goals & Objectives, and there has been a lot of groundwork started by the Goal 4 Workgroup (https://www.lexingtonky.gov/sustainable-growth-study).

In 2022, the Goal 4 Workgroup created a document that lays out a lot of good suggestions for how this process could look. From those suggestions, it is critical that we identify the areas of the County where we absolutely do not want to develop. It is imperative that we protect our unique agricultural assets, and a long-range preservation map would do exactly that, while identifying areas of potential future development. These areas of potential future development should be proactively and carefully mapped out with infrastructure plans to address the full spectrum of community facilities which would safeguard against haphazard development.

Secondly, we must ensure expansion is only considered when it is addressing a specific need that cannot currently be met, after evaluating a range of development scenarios for the existing Urban Service Area. These scenarios should consider fiscal, climate change/environmental, equity, housing, employment, transportation, and other factors. These expansions should be limited in scope to only address the identified need.

Third, when the need to expand is identified, we should explore ways to facilitate a competitive process for bringing land into the Urban Service Area. This could result in better development plans, as potential developers will be vying to show how their property could meet Lexington’s needs. There should also be mechanisms for removing/replacing properties that are brought into the Urban Service Area through this process, but that do not move forward with development.

It is clear to me after attending all of the Goal 4 work group meetings and serving as 5th District Councilmember during a Comp Plan year that this is a complicated process. One which can and should involve a lot of discussions with our constituents and community stakeholders. We established an ambitious deadline of August 1, 2026 to complete this process, and we need to get to work soon to meet it. I am optimistic that we can improve upon our Urban Service Area decision-making process.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: Lexington has a proven track record of performing well in the Healthcare and Education industries, or “med and eds”, with the University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Fayette County Public Schools, Baptist Health, KentuckyOne Health, Lexington Clinic and others leading the way. My family and I know firsthand how attractive this can be to prospective Lexingtonians, as the robust education systems are what brought us here as UK faculty members with a child in the public school system nearly a decade ago. Lexington is fortunate to have a diversified economy that gives us a strong foundation and resiliency, which we witnessed firsthand during the global pandemic. Our agricultural economy is multi-dimensional, giving us not only the unquestionable value of the industry itself, but providing Lexington with its identity as the “Horse Capital of the World”. This in turn drives another key industry, hospitality and tourism, as people from all over the US and the world come to experience the races at Keeneland and tour our renowned horse farms. This multiplier is well documented and very important for our local economy.

Another key pillar is the wonderful assortment of large employers in our community. Companies, such as Lexmark, Amazon, Goodwill, Link-Belt, and Big Ass Fans, but equally as important are our small businesses. In fact, most of our local employees (63%, Imagine Lexington 2045, pg 148) work for smaller companies. We will continue to ensure that companies large and small thrive here in Lexington in order to retain our strong, diverse economy.

Finally, we must continue to fund and create new workforce development programs to ensure opportunities for all residents to find employment that guarantees them a living wage. This provides benefits for both the employees and employers across all sectors who are looking for skilled workers. As the 5th District Councilmember, I have led on expanding funding for our Workforce Development office during multiple budget cycles. These dollars have some of the best return-on-investment that we get at the City. Currently, I have been asked by the administration to serve on the review team that oversees the allocation of these grant dollars, further deepening my knowledge and understanding of improving our local economy. I will continue to prioritize economic development in my third term.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer: When it comes to attracting new businesses to our area, certain priority areas rise to the top, including: quality of life, housing affordability and availability, education systems for families with children, workforce, and, of course, site readiness. When it comes to site readiness, the Coldstream/Legacy Park area is zoned for businesses already, and we invested significantly to ensure sites are prepped and cost-efficient with a wide range of potential uses. I supported allocating over $2.5mil from our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward the Phase 1 infrastructure at the Coldstream Industrial Park. We also recently announced a $ 10 million federal investment in infrastructure at the park. The Legacy Park Master Plan is in place to guide the preparations of this land. Our LFUCG Economic Development Team and Commerce Lexington work collaboratively to market our available space and recruit businesses. You can see some of their marketing efforts at locateinlexington.com and legacybusinessparklex.com. We can also use this model of investing in infrastructure to offset development costs for affordable housing construction.

When it comes to vacancy rates, we are below the national average for vacant office space (roughly 19%, Moody’s Analytics Q4 report 2023), but sit at approximately 9.5% in downtown office space and 13.7% in the suburban market (NIA Isaac, 2023 Yearend Report). As employers adapt to the increasing demand for remote work and see the cost savings on vacating leased spaces, I expect that office space vacancy rates will only increase as our traditional workplaces evolve. As this happens, we can look at converting these spaces to shared workspaces (e.g. Base110), mixed-use spaces combining office and residential space, or solely residential space. It is likely we would have to find ways to incentivize the latter due to the high costs of residential conversions when a building was not originally designed to house people.

I think our best tactic for attracting and retaining talent is to ensure that Lexington is a place people can and want to live. Meeting the basic needs and improving the quality of life of our residents is my top priority and serves our goals of economic growth.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: Throughout my two terms on Council, I supported investment in our transportation network and planning policies that encourage residents to move away from single occupancy vehicles. We have invested in shared-use paths – including projects in the 5th District on Alumni Dr (in design phase), Liberty Rd (in design phase), and Mt Tabor Rd (completed). I worked with other Councilmembers and the Mayor’s Administration to adopt a Complete Streets Policy in December 2022 that led to an Action Plan released in January 2024. Since I have been on Council, we have also updated our Zoning Ordinances to address street connectedness and continuity, increase open space, and eliminate parking minimums. All of these encourage walkability within our community. We are currently evaluating an additional set of Zoning Ordinances that directly address walkable neighborhoods . I will continue to support these policy initiatives and advocate for funding in our budget process to implement the needed changes to enhance and retrofit our transportation network to support all modes of transportation from walking to biking to mass transit, while accounting for the mobility challenges and financial constraints that some of our residents face.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: I have consistently supported the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. I chaired the Council Budget subcommittee (called a Link) that examined the PDR program for our 2024 Fiscal Year when we allocated another $ 2 million for the program. This funding is often leveraged against federal match funding to increase our ability to acquire land for the program. The goal is to acquire 50,000 acres and, as of April 2024, over 32,000 have already been acquired with another 930 acres under contract. We can explore other policies for creating permanently preserved areas through conservation easements or by extending our PDR program. The Goal 4 Workgroup identified 97,000 acres of land that they recommended for preservation/conservation that were outside of their proposed development areas.

In the Urban Growth Master Plan, we can investigate ways to provide a buffer for any nearby working farms or include a buffer in the zone change and development plan approval process. And ultimately, property owners are the ones that decide what happens with their land; just because a property is in the Urban Service Area doesn’t mean that it gets developed. In fact, some of the undeveloped land from the last expansion in 1996 has not been developed because the owners chose not to develop the land themselves nor sell the land to a developer. If an area isn’t developed in a timely manner or doesn’t meet our identified needs, then we can have a process for removing it through contraction of our Urban Service Boundary to ensure that we are either achieving our goals of preservation or swiftly meeting the needs of our community when expansion is proposed due to an identified need.

In addition to our land use decisions, Bluegrass AgTech, a newly developed partnership of LFUCG, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Alltech, is already proving to be an effective way at supporting and expanding this industry. I will also continue to promote efforts to connect residents in our community with our Agriculture industry by way of educational programs such as those offered by the Bluegrass Stockyards, Horse Country, and VisitLex.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: The Division of Planning has been extremely effective in its robust public outreach, and in my third term, I will continue to publicize opportunities for public input at their meetings and events in my district newsletter and social media. A great example of this is the Urban Design Workshop and Festival happening in April/May 2024 (https://www.urbangrowthlex.com/events). As an active member of the Public Input subcommittee, I have advocated for tools such as EngagementHQ and helped secure funding for the position of Council’s first Public Information Officer. I am currently working with some of my colleagues and CivicLex to create issue-based town halls for residents to dive deep into the issues that matter most to them.

As an educator, I know the importance of leadership development, which is why I was excited to have a high school student from the Bluegrass Youth Sustainability Council serve as my intern during the 2023-2024 academic year. In my second term, I started a Council book club. My intention was to read more books that benefit my work on Council whether it be policy, project management, or even how to manage one’s email. This space has transformed into an opportunity for me, my fellow Councilmembers, and city staff to gather once a month and share ideas. One of these books was Walkable Cities by Jeff Speck. Planning staff, some of my colleagues, and I were able to discuss measures that Lexington can consider implementing to improve the quality of life of our residents that we may not have had were it not for this more informal but educational space. While these efforts happen on a small scale, I know that one of the most effective ways to build coalitions and garner support for policy that will serve the entire community is through one-on-one conversation, relationship building, and allowing space for transformational thinking.

I recognize that my constituents will not always agree with/approve of the decisions I make in my capacity as 5th District Councilmember. It is important to have these sometimes difficult or uncomfortable conversations with my constituents so they know that I hear their concerns and can share my own perspective and process for how I made/make my decisions. Similarly, when neighbors have made it clear they are unhappy with policies being proposed to or by the Council, I am sure to keep them up to date with information as it becomes available to me. These email lists are my office’s best practices that we have most recently used in addressing divisive issues such as a ban on source of income discrimination and Short Term Rentals.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: Time and time again, it has been demonstrated that access to safe and stable housing is critical to the health and well-being of individuals and families. Housing is healthcare. My experience serving on the Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Board for the past three years and chairing the Program Performance and Evaluation committee that evaluates service providers receiving funding from our government has given me a behind-the-scenes look at addressing the housing needs of the most vulnerable in our community. I will look at the recommendations that come out in the summer 2024 from the Affordable Housing Study that we have undertaken specifically for Lexington. This study will provide an assessment of the types of affordable housing units we need and the projected amount. While I have been on Council, we have invested historic amounts of funding toward our Affordable Housing Fund and seen the immediate increase in construction of units due to that investment. I voted in support of providing a dedicated source of funding to the Affordable Housing Fund, promising 1% of the past year’s revenues–effectively doubling the amount of funding we have previously contributed through our regular budget cycle from approximately $2mil to over $4mil. I’ve also worked with neighbors to host a local workshop on homeowner rights to educate residents about predatory buying practices, legal aid, resources for low income families to support renovating their home or paying for their utilities. In the upcoming Urban Growth Zoning Ordinance discussion for Council, I will support the proposed density bonuses that will be offered to developers providing affordable housing – and I have voted to support higher density housing in zone changes and through policy initiatives to allow for increased housing, such as Accessory Dwelling Units or reducing parking minimums on a lot to increase units.

Answer 2: The limited expansion has the potential to provide more housing for our community. The Urban Growth Master Plan consultant has already completed an assessment of the existing conditions in the proposed expansion areas identified by the Planning Commission. They will now work on making recommendations for housing and commercial development, best practices for environmental sustainability, along with transportation network and infrastructure needs. I do not think that this limited expansion will address all of our housing needs in the community, and in fact, I have repeatedly raised concerns about trying to address our affordable housing needs on the margins of our Urban Service Area. This will be one approach in a myriad of policies that we will need to combine to address the multi-faceted needs of our community. A good housing strategy is comprehensive and multi-pronged. No one part of the strategy will solve the problem entirely, but addressing housing holistically can put downward pressure on home prices and rents and can create more options for more people.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: While we look for solutions and policies that are the best fit for the unique characteristics of Lexington, there are models available to use for inspiration or a starting point. For Complete Streets policy, Howard County, MD recently scored 100% on the National Complete Streets Coalition scale. They have a population of 330K, similar to Lexington. They scored so highly due to their development of a public-facing website that shows their action plan, linked documents, and a status report for each proposed action. They also include an Equity Emphasis Map based on demographic characteristics, such as disabled or elderly populations or non-car-owning households, to show the areas where residents may need more access to alternative transportation methods.

There are many models for expanding housing across our county, so I will highlight two. Like Lexington, Minneapolis, MN has approved Accessory Dwelling Units and eliminated parking minimums, but they have also taken a few extra steps to increase housing availability and affordability. Some of these measures include reducing lot minimums for residential development, allowing duplexes and triplexes in all residential zones, and creating a zoning category on major transit routes that encourage high-density housing construction. The latter of which is proposed in our Urban Growth Management Zoning Ordinance update. In December 2022, the Mayor of Los Angeles implemented Executive Directive 1, a policy that fast-tracked the approval of housing construction projects that include 100% affordable housing, reducing the approval time from over a year (and in some cases multiple years) to under 60 days. This led to an immediate and drastic increase in the number of units under construction.

Cities across the United States struggle with how to best address the continued legacy of exclusionary zoning practices, redlining, and racist deed restrictions; Lexington is no exception. Planning staff, Councilmembers, and our aides further discussed this in a recent Council book club after reading The Color of Law. In addition to talking about the policies our local government could explore, we also discussed ongoing community efforts to tell our community’s story. Planning staff informed us we do not have to look far to find a great framework for this vision. In Confronting Racism in City Planning and Zoning, the Louisville Metro Planning & Design Services created an in depth online educational tool that outlined how racist zoning practices in Louisville resulted in the inequities they see throughout their community. Based on that education and outreach through listening sessions and workshops, a set of recommendations for changes to the Land Development Code was published in January 2021. The first of three phases of recommendations has been adopted and includes: allowing ADUs as a permitted use with special standards within single-family zoning districts, eliminating restrictions on urban agriculture, and notifying renters -not just homeowners- of development plans and zone changes. Lexington is lucky to have the work of community leaders who have already made progress on this educational work such as Segregated Lexington and Black Yarn. In Imagine Lexington 2045, Theme A Equity Policy 2 directs the city government to take part by providing an ongoing and contextualized educational curriculum on historical planning practices and policies acknowledging their impact on marginalized neighborhoods in Lexington (pg 42). This item is currently in committee and actively being worked on. I encourage all Lexington residents who care about racial justice to engage with these projects as it is the responsibility of all of us, especially the most privileged of us, to reckon with our history and take part in rectifying the wrongs of those who came before us.

Meredith Price

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: Eliminating parking minimums was a big step to allow for more infill and redevelopment, but that was just one step in the process. In order to activate the remaining available land, I would like to first look more closely at our property tax structure and better understand what abilities we may have as a city to tax vacant/underutilized parcels. Additionally, I would support policy changes to allow and/or encourage infill and redevelopment projects that use existing infrastructure on neighboring parcels. For example, if a proposed development is located next to a large parking lot that is rarely used, the parking lot owner could be provided with incentives to have the proposed development use some of the underutilized parking lot. Further, I would support policies that streamline the development process and automatically allow for higher densities in areas that are predetermined through an initial public process. I would also be interested in exploring how the city could partner with property owners and developers to assist in remedying existing brownfield sites in order to remove that undue burden for many landowners.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: Should new development occur and new infrastructure is required, the existing neighborhoods that will be directly affected should, at minimum, receive some type of funding bonus from the new development in order to upgrade their infrastructure. Impending infrastructure updates to existing neighborhoods, as well as ongoing maintenance costs, must be considered and factored into any decision to increase or expand infrastructure.

Answer 2: As more areas are developed beyond District 5, we need to better balance the needs of the residents with the needs of folks who simply move through the district. Currently, there is a blatant imbalance on the main roads in D5; these roads are made for commuters, not for the residents. These streets are designed in a way that accommodates speeding and quick pass-throughs, making these areas unsafe for residents who would like to walk or bike – especially children and the aging population – and creates an environment that is much more difficult for small, local businesses to thrive in. Redesigning these roads to accommodate the needs of the neighborhoods will require intentional investment as well as careful coordination and planning.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: Moving forward, when deciding how and where to grow, city leaders should have more targeted and transparent conversations with landowners in the areas of consideration, especially on the parcels that are contiguous with current development. The city tends to spend a lot of time analyzing how and where we think development should occur, but all that work is often for nothing if a landowner has no current interest in developing their land. If there are landowners who are open to development, any new development requiring a predetermined amount of infrastructure should, at minimum, have an analysis performed to ensure the proposed development itself can cover the cost of the long-term infrastructure maintenance through property tax revenue and/or other applicable funding sources.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: Healthcare, Higher Education, Agriculture, and Professional Services

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: In order to properly activate the 250 acres at Coldstream, as well as the adjacent Legacy Business Park, the city needs to be sure that development in those areas is done efficiently and effectively. Whatever gets developed in these areas should be as flexible as possible, as our commercial real estate demands continue to shift at a rapid rate.

Answer 2: I would support policies and programs that would help cultivate a more entrepreneurial spirit in the city. For example, I would work with owners of vacant office space to create smaller spaces that would reduce the cost burden on smaller businesses.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: In order to help alleviate the high transportation costs in Lexington, I would be supportive of implementing and funding the Complete Streets program, density bonuses for residential projects located on major transit lines, and increased enforcement of traffic laws, with revenue from those infractions being directed back to road improvements. I would also like to look into developing an incentive program for local businesses that allows them to give customers a discount if the customer walked, biked, or bussed to the business. Even if it’s just a minor incentive, I believe that awareness, coupled with comfortable infrastructure, will help get people to think twice about how they travel in and around the city.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: Land, especially rural land in Fayette County, is finite and must be treated as such. I would support policies that ensure responsible, efficient, and necessary development, while also supporting policies that protect certain lands from development in perpetuity.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: If I am to get elected, I plan to keep my constituents informed and aware of what is happening in their neighborhoods as well as any major changes that will impact Lexington as a whole through multiple communication methods. I also plan to routinely ask my constituents for their feedback on land-use issues that concern them in their daily life. In doing this, I hope to get my constituents engaged, thinking about their neighborhoods, and thinking about how they think Lexington should grow.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: I would like to look at incentivizing higher-density housing on our corridors, encouraging incremental density in existing neighborhoods, especially those that already have mixed housing types, allowing for density increases when a project has a certain percentage of affordable units, and leveraging outside funding mechanisms to help subsidize affordable housing projects.

Answer 2: I believe it is short-sighted to think an expansion will ever solve our housing needs. We need to look back at the last expansion and ask ourselves whether or not we would call it a success.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: There are a handful of other cities that have implemented various policies that would be interesting to consider in Lexington. Some cities, like Minneapolis, have made more radical changes than others, but I don’t believe that most of the policies implemented elsewhere could be exactly duplicated in Lexington. With that said, analyzing and assessing the success and failures of some of these policies, and how those would be tweaked and best applied in Lexington, would be an incredibly beneficial exercise.

District 6

Denise Gray

Denise Gray has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

District 7

Joseph Hale

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: I firmly advocate for incentivizing contractors and developers to prioritize the development of underused land and real estate within our Urban Service Boundary. In a rapidly expanding city like Lexington, it’s crucial to approach growth strategically, ensuring we don’t hastily expand at the expense of neglected resources. Our focus must be on leveraging these resources to address pressing concerns such as affordable housing. By tackling the housing issue head-on, we not only benefit our local community but also contribute to addressing a nationwide challenge.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?

Answer: I maintain my strong support for incentivizing contractors and developers to prioritize underused land and real estate within our Urban Service Boundary. Simultaneously, we must strategically consider the development of communities and sustainable housing outside of this boundary. The recent construction of the new soccer facility underscores the urgent necessity for infrastructure improvements, particularly the widening of Richmond Rd between Man O’ War and Hays Boulevard. Addressing this longstanding bottleneck is paramount for the progress and prosperity of our district.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: When contemplating the expansion of our Urban Service Boundary, we must carefully assess various factors such as the pace of our city’s growth, areas experiencing overcrowding, and soliciting input from landowners owning or neighboring properties slated for growth. It’s imperative that we collect and analyze pertinent data before reaching any decisions. By adopting a comprehensive approach informed by data and community engagement, we can ensure responsible and sustainable urban development.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: I perceive Lexington’s economic foundation to rest upon three key pillars: Education, Agriculture, and Development. The University of Kentucky stands as a cornerstone for education and employment, serving as one of the city’s largest—if not the largest—employers. Renowned as the ‘Horse Capital of the World,’ Lexington boasts a rich heritage of picturesque horse farms and the internationally acclaimed Keeneland Spring Meet. Additionally, as one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, we must recognize and harness the power of development as a vital pillar. Development not only generates employment opportunities but also enhances our city’s aesthetic appeal and capacity to accommodate a growing population, thereby bolstering our economy.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: I am firmly committed to fostering job creation and economic growth through the strategic utilization of resources such as the nearly 250 acres at Coldstream and the available vacant offices and commercial spaces within our urban area. By maximizing these assets, we can unlock new opportunities for businesses, attract investment, and stimulate growth in our community. It’s essential that we capitalize on these potential areas of development to propel our city forward and ensure a prosperous future for all residents.

Answer 2: I strongly advocate for prioritizing infill and development initiatives for such projects. By focusing on infill development, we can make efficient use of existing infrastructure and resources, reduce urban sprawl, and revitalize underutilized areas within our city. This approach not only promotes sustainability but also fosters a sense of community and connectivity. Prioritizing infill and development aligns with our goals of responsible growth and ensures that our city continues to thrive while preserving its unique character and charm.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: I propose implementing incentives to enhance our public transportation infrastructure, including expanding bus routes, procuring additional buses, and hiring more drivers to bolster our public transportation capabilities. Additionally, it’s imperative to allocate resources towards creating pedestrian-friendly environments in densely populated areas. This entails investing in initiatives such as constructing more bike lanes, enhancing walking trails, and developing safe and accessible walkways. By prioritizing these measures, we can improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and promote sustainable modes of transportation, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: As I’ve emphasized, agriculture stands as one of the fundamental pillars of Lexington and indeed, the entire state of Kentucky. Safeguarding this vital industry is paramount to the prosperity of our city and economy. As we contemplate the expansion of the Urban Service Boundary, it is essential that we proceed with careful consideration to ensure that our development efforts do not compromise the integrity of our agricultural heritage. We must adopt a strategic approach to development, preserving and protecting the farmland and agricultural resources that contribute so much value to our community. By doing so, we can uphold our commitment to fostering a thriving agricultural sector while simultaneously accommodating responsible growth and development in our city.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: The input from the communities we serve must serve as the bedrock upon which the urban city council operates. Establishing avenues for our community to communicate with us is not just important; it’s imperative. Utilizing platforms like Zoom to accommodate residents with mobility challenges, actively participating in community events such as neighborhood association meetings, festivals, and town halls, and maintaining an open-door policy with clear lines of communication are just a few ways I pledge to engage with our residents. It’s essential that every voice feels valued and heard, ensuring that our decision-making processes are inclusive and reflective of the needs and aspirations of the entire community.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer: I am committed to standing behind incentives for landlords whose rent remains within reasonable limits, aligning with the current market value of rental properties. With rent gouging reaching unprecedented levels across our nation, it’s crucial that Lexington does not succumb to this trend. Furthermore, I pledge my support for revitalizing programs such as Section 8 and HUD, and investing in initiatives aimed at expanding housing options for individuals who rely on these programs. I firmly believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary presents a significant opportunity to address our city’s housing needs, provided we prioritize its utilization for this purpose. By taking proactive measures and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, we can work towards ensuring that every resident has access to safe, affordable housing.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: Cities such as Raleigh, NC, Minneapolis, and Portland have confronted rapid growth akin to Lexington’s, albeit on a larger scale. These cities have successfully embraced the ‘Missing Middle’ housing model, which encompasses a spectrum of house-scaled buildings featuring multiple units. These structures, compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes, are strategically located within walkable neighborhoods. Raleigh, for instance, champions housing options that bridge the gap between single-family homes and apartments, often through the development of condominiums or duplexes, both through new construction and adaptive reuse of existing structures. I advocate for Lexington to closely examine and consider implementing similar models of infill development and new developments. By adopting approaches like the ‘Missing Middle,’ we can address the growing demand for diverse housing options while fostering vibrant, walkable communities that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Frank Cannavo

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: Tax incentives come to mind first. The investment required to repurpose older buildings or prepare underused land is significant. A reduced tax burden might incentivize a developer. Specialized funding incentives or loan rates should also be considered. The type of development is also key, perhaps neighborhoods of cluster homes with shops within walking distance.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer: Firstly, I would cut back on work in the new expansion areas so we can focus on creative efforts in the existing USB. There seems to be a considered lack of creativity in the development options. Tear-downs and new builds of low-density or very high-density dwellings are just more of the same efforts that produce marginal results for people. Codes that will allow for clusters of smaller dwellings with green space are called for. Property owners in the historically disinvested areas should get tax breaks for needed modifications.

Answer 2: The east end of Athens-Boonesboro Road is the last remaining semblance of the agricultural nature of the county. All other corridors into town are built up. We’re already paving it over and filling it with activity centers. Buffers of open land and trees are essential to the character of the area. Let’s incentivize that.

Richmond Road / Athens Boonesboro Road is already a parking lot outbound from Man O’War to I-75 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The “R-cut” plans seem questionable in their positive impact. A stronger study is required.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: Data is required before a comprehensive plan is established. As it is now, it seems the developers make the plans and we have to fight it. Roads and transit are a key set of parameters; one already can’t get across the area.

Currently, we build traditional low-density housing areas, then the access roads become thoroughfares to get to commercial areas. We need to plan the roads first.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: Agriculture and hospitality now. Light manufacturing and distribution could be ideal given the access to I-75 and I-64

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: Coldstream is a perfect potential and our leadership has acknowledged this with the latest support from the Federal Government. We need to market that potential across the country.

Answer 2: The north end of Circle 4 is replete with vacant and underutilized space. Out mayor and council have put a focus on developing this area. It needs to be fleshed out.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: Public transportation can be reimagined into movement within quadrants or sectors as opposed to the hub and spoke from the center garage. Housing costs are market-driven, but the supply of existing types of housing will not diminish the demand thereby reducing prices. We need to look at smaller dwellings that are cost-effective to put up, such as the “kit” homes used elsewhere.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: Development must not encroach on agricultural land, including roads and light pollution. Livestock are adversely affected by lights and noise into the night. Crops must be protected from road runoff. Districts 7 and 12 have the most agricultural land, along with the UK area off New Town Pike and the Horse Park. We can’t go halfway with this. The areas are either protected or they are not.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: I would work to change the planning process such that ideas for development come to the community first, before developers spend significant funds making their plans. Residents must have more open meetings with petitioners and the planning board, where the comments are not truncated. Recent events in the district have shown that petitioners seem to hold all cards and residents must play catch up. A team of advocates for the residents might be a good idea.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: Safe affordable housing needs are most pressing in the northern districts, where there are dwellings that suffer from underinvestment. Creative ways to provide more housing that is not “government housing.” I would suggest working with Habitat for Humanity to get their ideas and the secret to their success.

Answer 2: The expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will not effectively address our housing needs. It is not where the housing is needed.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: This is a great question and I wish I had a solid answer. I will research it and if elected will make this a priority.

Heather Hadi

Heather Hadi has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

William Matthew Housh

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: I am in favor of additional funding for affordable housing. Also at some point in the future, the city via its planning and zoning department may want to enact some rent controls to secure housing for working class individuals. Like many other cities. However, this would be a longer-term plan with much civic input needed prior to any serious proposal about rent control policies. It has worked effectively for some members of the LBTGQ+ community in a few progressive cities like San Francisco, California. However, Lexington is far less progressive.

Lastly, I support the redevelopment of vacant city properties and buildings when private funding is available to bring the buildings up to code. Most of the city’s vacant properties are in poor condition. I support the recent expansion of the USB but would hold there and wait to see its impact on reducing the great need for affordable housing in our community. Then afterward in 5 years a complete review of what worked and what didn’t move forward. Auditing a review of how many units are made the vacancy rate may be a good way to review recent developments. Jobs are a key component of a good quality of life. Increasing micro start-ups via great would be something I would suggest and support for minority-owned businesses.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?

Answer: After speaking to many voters in District 7, it is clear rents are high and most have to make sacrifices to live in our city. As pay and rent have not been at such levels where the individual may afford to live in town. All along Squires Road Ball Homes is developing single-family housing which is great but it is also high-end housing few units go for $1000 per month. So I would start a dialogue with the home builders. To hopefully open their eyes and wallets to the reduction in per-unit cost to make the area more affordable. However, the free market wins out. Also, I am promoting the cities and private groups resources for example the city has REACH. Also, the city’s Grants Department has several options for those wanting to buy a home. New homeowners need to be educated and assisted with the purchase of their first homes Mire by our city. Financial literacy needs to be made a priority as well. I work with companies like 47 LLC to enable individuals to take free classes to learn money basics. It’s a district and citywide effort to raise the financial literacy of our residents. I fully support this effort. Knowledge leads to economic well-being.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: For my district quality of life means affordability and most importantly. Public Safety. District 7 has very diverse neighborhoods. From East Lake to Liberty road. There are many retirees living in District 7. Also many working families. The metrics for this new data-driven plan must include many areas of life in order for the master plan to be helpful. Employment income and other demographic statistics should be used in such a manner to positively impact the master plan. Other key indicators are accessibility for each neighborhood to markets, healthcare, and employment. With the goal of making and improving the integrity of our neighborhoods. I would hold at this expansion until we clearly see how it is affecting the affordability of housing in our city.

Expediting the zoning and permitting process may also rapidly improve our city. Doing this very carefully. Our Director of Planning and many of his staff. Have been on the job for several years. We are fast approaching the mayor’s last 2 years of 8. To her credit, our Mayor got the community through the Pandemic while keeping city services functioning. Next she has upgraded our Fire Department to being one of the top departments in America. She also has invested in One Lexington serving the African American community. Now offering 100k in grants up to $7.5k each to minority companies and or nonprofits to further reduce gun violence. Lexington needs to have balanced growth throughout the city.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: University of Kentucky, Chamber of Commerce, and all our large and small employers are pillars. Everyone! I believe all boats must rise in order for our community to truly have a diverse economy. By reducing local tax burdens and drawing more micro small medium and large corporations. Also, our city needs to communicate better outside our traditional powerhouses such as Entertainment and Medical businesses. We need to let our country and our regional cities know Lexington is the place to come and do business. By making a good effort to let everyone in business seeking a change. For those businesses to check out Lexington. I am careful how I use language.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer: We must do both. Also using our global reach to attract workers who are able to work anywhere.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: While canvassing Liberty Road neighborhoods and Squires neighborhood. Many residents mentioned the need for door-to-door transportation at an affordable price. Whether it is a visit to the clinic or Kroger the neighbors especially retirees and younger workers expressed the need. I am in support of the micro transit pilot program for District 7 to participate. At Large Councilmember Chuck Ellinger. Recently did a wonderful presentation about this pilot program. I let him know about my District 7 interest. Over 6500 residents viewed my post on a local neighborhood app. Many comments were in support of door-to-door micro transit options city-backed. Efficiency is a must do to the density of District 7. Neighbors don’t want to waste time waiting hours for Wheels for example. Nothing against wheels. I admire their mission. However our new micro program. Would likely be app-based and have policies in place to secure safety while being transported by this new micro transport program. Door-to-door on-demand at a price of 1.50 per trip supported by the city. Ideally, electric cars would be used and funded by recharging station revenue. After the city invested in 25 to 50 fast charging stations in District 7. I would propose these stations be in neighbors at parks and on other city properties in District 7. Such as the Treatment plant at the end of Buckhorn. The land would support up to 5 solar-based fast EV recharging stations and Jacobsen Park could support up to 20 solar-powered EV fast charging stations. These recharging stations are very profitable. And I would propose our city invest in 25 for the District as a part of the micro transport pilot program. The city would own the charging stations fully. The profit from these 25 stations would bring in fresh non-tax revenue that I propose is dedicated to the micro transport program and affordable housing fund. In years 2 and 3 the pilot program is well used to increase the number of eco-friendly charging stations to 125 fast charging stations. Also, app drivers that provide micro-transports would receive a discount for recharging their vehicle. Next, I would begin the transfer of our city’s vehicle fleet to electric vehicles including the Police.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: I strongly support the city’s CSA program. And the city’s PDR program. We must increase the usage of both in the wider city. Getting fresh produce locally sourced will do many good things for Lexington. Agriculture and the new market for legal cannabis medical marijuana. Will be a tremendous boom for our city. As our local area is one of the best locations on earth for growers and production. I fully support providing education grants and programs for this emerging market to micro businesses small businesses and large corporations. Lexington must seize this opportunity as much as we do Horses and Bourbon. It could easily bring vast new resources and capital in new opportunities for our state and city. I fully support Agri tech as well. As Lexington is blessed with many companies that are international leaders in this sector. I will do all I am able to support Agriculture.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: For many years I have been active in local politics. And communication is a critical component of community engagement. Also offering opportunities for neighbors is vital for a thriving community. Through a monthly published District 7 newsletter and many regular community meetings, my goals are longer term than just one 2-year term. I know this based on my efforts with the Fayette County neighborhood association and its former leader Emma Tibbs. For example, in 1989 I was a staffer for Councilmen Lesile Trapp in the 10th district. The Clays Mills road area saw rapid expansion. However, it took nearly 22 years of Planning and neighborhood engagement to have all parties invested in the infrastructure improvements along the Clay Mill Road corridor. Now this road and its improvements including widening of the road bike lanes and improved sidewalks have lifted the entire southern part of our county. I will bring this type of engagement to the 7th district. Lastly, my many years of experience in dealing with many agencies of the federal government. Having successfully represented over 560 individuals to secure federal benefits. I plan on to bring new resources to fill the needs of District 7. My goal would be after 6 terms and 2-year terms to have the Alumni Road Corridor modernized and widened and improved. And that District 7 is the place everyone in Lexington recognizes as the place to live and work. So my commitment when elected would be planning on staying in this seat for 6 2-year terms to achieve making District 7 the best part of Lexington. Together we are Stronger! This is the type of commitment needed to guide District 7 to a future we all want to work for and obtain.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: We need to modernize the city’s Building inspection process as well as the Planning and zoning parts of this process. To make them as user-friendly as possible all while maintaining high standards we are used to here. As our Mayor has said repeatedly a community is built one individual at a time. So the more focus and outreach we do as councilmembers to include all residents of our community the better. We must also preserve and protect what makes our community so awesome. As so many outsiders want the quality of life we have here in Lexington. We must welcome them and recruit the best and brightest to come here to live and work. All while being open and welcoming to all who want to call Lexington home. As a federal claims representative for many years I saw the impact on the individual when their benefits are approved. Their quality of life improves for them and their families. Getting the city involved in assisting individuals completing the application process is another way to build up our community via the individual. I have processed 560 successful applications for benefits for individuals in our city. As a council member I would hope to expand existing programs to offer these services. Such as Friends of the Court for example. Funding one or two representatives their to process claims would bring relief to many of our citizens who lack representation for benefits.

Answer 2: No doubt it will help just by the numbers of new properties in our inventory. A complete solution to make affordability happen. Will require maximum effort. By City leaders Neighborhood leaders and every resident.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: Of course, our country has many beautiful cities both large and small. We may look to and incorporate their best policies here. One example is the Birmingham, Alabama micro transportation program. Which is making a real impact.

District 8

Amy Beasley

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: I think that we need to try and fix some of the neighborhoods that are already neighborhoods before we start using farmland that is currently still being farmed to build more $500,000+ houses that we really do not need. The average person working in Lexington can’t afford these houses.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer: Having driven in Lexington I can tell you that we need to fix some of the city streets, sidewalks, curbs, and storm drains in the community that we already have before we spend a bunch of money in neighborhoods that aren’t even built yet. I also see lots of open retail space, if we came up with a way to help landlords of retail spaces lower the rent then I feel some more of our small businesses might be able to move in some of the empty brick-and-mortar spots that we have now.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: We need to know what they are going to build, how much of each they are going to build, and if the community around where they are going to build has a need for any of that. Then if we decide that it meets all the needs we then need someone to make sure they do what they say they are going to do.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: I think that when we develop our horse farms we lose what makes us the horse capital of the world. We need to be able to teach the next generations what it takes to train and develop winning race horses. How to grow and tend gardens and livestock so they can feed their families without having to rely on Kroger. We can not do that if we keep selling off our farm lands to build houses and shopping centers that may sit empty.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

I think that there are many amazing small businesses that would be amazing in some of those spaces but can’t really afford thousands of dollars in rent to even see if they can get the business off the ground would be amazing in those spaces. Those businesses spend their dollars in our community and don’t sent it to another state to a corporation.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: In order to answer this question I really think that public transportation needs to be looked at and improved before we can see how it will make Lexington better by using that service.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: I know that sometimes families sell the family farm, however, this is not always the case sometimes we make it so hard for them to survive that they have no choice. Maybe we need to give a different pricing to local farmers who come to the farmers markets than we do to the ones who come from other counties. Using more farm-to-table choices when we are doing things in city government to help promote the Ag. industry. The Ag. industry is important enough for FCPS to have a farm dedicated to teaching students about it so maybe we can follow their lead.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: I plan to hold meetings both in a public forum or in my office whatever they feel they need. The more voices we hear the better we can make an informed decision based on what our district as well as Fayette County wants and needs.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer: I don’t know what we are going to do about the rising housing costs, however, I do know that we have to do something maybe we need a tenant bill of rights like they have in Washington DC I don’t know what the answer is but I hope to work on it. I do not think that the new expansion is going to help with the housing issue. Who is going to make sure that what they said they were going to do they are going to do and a $1500 a month apartment is not affordable housing.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

I would think that there are many cities like us and I don’t know who they are but if you want to send me some to look at I will do my best. I love not reinventing the wheel.

District 9

Whitney Baxter

Whitney Baxter has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

District 10

Dave Sevigny

Dave Sevigny has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

District 11

Jennifer Reynolds

Jennifer Reynolds has not completed the Fayette Alliance 2024 Candidate Questionnaire.

District 12

Hilary J. Boone IV

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: Infill and redevelopment may not always be the most cost-effective building methods, but they are the most efficient when it comes to growth. With an increased interest and use of the Infrastructure Investment Fund developers could have an equal incentive to execute proper infill projects; as opposed to building in green space. We need to modernize the regulations that support infill and redevelopment; while also addressing zoning and regulatory hurdles in place to encourage and expedite the redevelopment process. The Missing Middle Housing is another effective opportunity for proper growth inside the USB.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: As the expansion of the USB is in the forefront we need to remember the infrastructure is going to be very expensive for taxpayers. While there is no plan for how it is executed, the areas inside the USB that are uninvested and underfunded are still in need of attention. The focus is easy to grow toward new areas, however, our existing neighborhoods and precincts could benefit from investments as well. The public transportation inside the USB should be invested in to create more accessible routes for people to use. New Circle Road, Nicholasville Road, and Richmond Road are all areas that could aid from investment. Some areas are much underutilized.

Answer 2: As the expansion of the USB is creeping out into the 12th district, a major investment in the infrastructure is going to be paramount. From roads, water, sewage, etc. lots of taxpayer money will be invested into the new expansion areas. Preservation of our unique farmlands and greenspaces will remain a top priority as plans for expansion are coming into play.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: I think the demand for housing is very apparent, and when looking into expansion areas of the USB we need to make sure the positives outweigh the negatives. With several different factors at play, I believe that the proximity to major corridors, utilities, and public transportation are a few to take into consideration. With an underlying goal to support a growing population and lessen our carbon footprint, the use of public transportation should be incorporated and promoted.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: I believe the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s economy are Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, and Equine. The University of Kentucky has played a big role as the backbone of research for all of these industries. Lexington has changed over the years from bustling tobacco production to now accumulating high-tech agriculture and pharmaceutical firms. While Healthcare has seen major growth and innovation becoming a central location for the area.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer 1: The new Coldstream development project is a great opportunity to invest in available property inside the USB to ensure healthy economic growth; creating new jobs and businesses. New start-ups will have the opportunity to share buildings with established organizations allowing for increased networking opportunities. Quality transit and walkability will also add much appeal for new businesses looking for Lexington to be their home.

Answer 2: There is an opportunity to incentivize owners to utilize the vacant office and commercial spaces for growing businesses and startups. Incubators can aid in the growth of new business while in turn helping our growing economy. Identifying redevelopment opportunities to rezone will also open new possible uses for different properties.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: Lexington has done a great job in creating sidewalks, bike lanes, etc.; however, I think it is something we should continue to stress. Continuing to connect different parts of town with pubic transportation and bike/pedestrian trails helps aid in reducing our emissions. While allowing people to have the opportunity to exploit all of Lexington’s resources. A safe place to ride or walk will increase the attractiveness of riding your bike to work, dinner, etc. while saving on parking spots that could in turn be used for affordable housing.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: I have a strong belief that our agricultural industries and farmland play a vital role in supporting our identity as being the “Horse capital of the world”. I believe the first policy or strategy is to protect, promote, and encourage the PDR program. It is actively saving our farmlands and green spaces for generations to come, as well as the bluegrass region from unnecessary development.

As times are changing, and new industries are taking place, the Agri-tech industry is going to become a large part of our future. Lexington is already a home to major agriculturally involved companies and organizations; it would only make sense to increase our appeal to agri-tech companies to call Lexington home.

Lexington’s appeal to be a travel destination and tourism is to be very much praised. We need to take into account that the tourists are coming to our region to see these amazing horse farms, bourbon distilleries, and landscapes. Protecting and continuing growth in this sector is vital to our growth as a city. Working with surrounding counties to capitalize on our tourism draws would also be mutually beneficial.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: Public engagement is something I believe to be very important. I am open to meet with anyone in or out of the 12th district expressing questions or concerns. I will have an open door policy, call or email any time. I will have monthly newsletters and frequent meetings around the district to get more in touch with constituents.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: There are many different ways to achieve adequate affordable housing. How we get there is a more complex answer, a combination of proper infill and redevelopment is the most beneficial for everyone. Lexington’s core housing population is single family homes. We are missing the mixed middle housing. Mixed middle housing is a more dense outlook on using duplex’s, quadplexes, etc. in underutilized preexisting buildings. Being able to easily redevelop existing structures with regards to zoning, would immensely aid in the redevelopment of underutilized areas. Being able to use an incentive program to lower costs for developers would increase their appeal to take on redevelopment projects. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is a great way to continue and strengthen the support for affordable housing projects.

Answer 2: No, I believe the mandated expansion area will likely aid in the construction of new homes, but I don’t believe that it will help with affordable housing. There is no transit system in place to accommodate these new areas, also they are not walkable to job opportunities or stores. The proximity of the new expansion is nowhere close to downtown, much less any source of jobs. I don’t believe the expansion areas are helping our desire to lessen greenhouse gasses. These will likely be vehicle-oriented communities. It is becoming more difficult for builders to construct affordable housing due to their costs. The new expansion will likely be single-family homes unless there are regulations put into place that require a more dense housing structure. The cost of infrastructure will need to be addressed as it is going to come with a very large price tag.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer 1: When I think of Lexington, and our growth opportunities, I like to think we are on an island. An island that will only allow us to grow in one direction, that is IN. Outside the USB I consider the untouchable, the water. What we must preserve if we want to continue to uphold our identity as not only the “horse capital of the world” but also the beautiful bluegrass region. There are many growing cities that are confined by mountains, water, etc. that simply cannot sprawl; they find a way to continue their sustainable growth.

Answer 2: When it comes to other cities comparable to Lexington, there are a couple of cities worth looking at. Charlotte, NC was once a very sprawling city; however, they have put into place a USB to slow down the expansion to preserve their local lands and focus on infill. Portland, OR, has put into place a very effective affordable housing incentive program aiding those in need. Cambridge, MA is offering affordable housing at increasing levels. These might not be exactly relevant to Lexington, but they are policies that are in place and working that we can look to for Lexington.

Chad Walker

What policies would you support to incentivize infill and redevelopment to activate the approximately 17,000 acres of vacant, underused, and underutilized land currently within the Urban Service Area for housing and jobs?

Answer: Infill and redevelopment are directly aligned with my day-to-day activities. I have spent a lifetime focused on the redevelopment of commercial properties inside an area known as the Warehouse Block on Walton, National and North Ashland Avenues. Redeveloping those properties has created a community where businesses can thrive, thus creating new jobs while engaging the neighboring residential community. I have seen firsthand the difficulties facing renovation of properties and advocate for the streamlining of that process. There is currently too much red tape involved with adaptive reuse and revitalization, forcing many investors to look at new development versus old, if for no other reason than favoring its simpler criteria.

I serve the City of Lexington as Chair of the Vacant Property Review Commission, an entity that identifies blighted and deteriorated properties, then certifies properties that meet the criteria of blighted or abandoned, levying an additional property tax against the owner. Utilization of properties inside the Urban Service Boundary has been both a passion and a career, further cementing my position on revitalization versus development.

Question No. 2: To grow Lexington-Fayette County sustainably, we must grow and invest equitably throughout the community.

How do you propose we ensure investment in our underserved, historically disinvested, and existing neighborhoods while simultaneously planning for and funding new infrastructure and city services in the newly proposed expansion areas outside of the USB?
What needs does your district face that will require intentional investment and planning?

Answer 1: To ensure investment in our underserved existing neighborhoods, I would give full support to the Urban County Planning Commission’s proposed Density Bonuses, which would allow for those constructing housing at 80% of the area median income for a 10-year period. As well, I am in favor of modifying zoning to allow multifamily dwelling units to a greater number of mixed zones, which would make Lexington a more socially, environmentally, and fiscally sustainable community with more ‘live / work’ possibilities and walkable area. All planning in the 12th District should be intentional and slow. Lexington has seen a substantial amount of growth and has been challenged to meet the demands of this influx. Lexington is the heartland of the Bluegrass, and is famously known as “The Horse Capital of the World,” an industry that contributes significantly to the local economy by creating jobs and promoting tourism. However, if proper time, attention, and support are not given to preservation, beautiful farmland within the 12th District could fall victim to rampant growth.

Answer 2: Investing in preservation and revamping the Rural Land Management Board to act in a supportive role for rural properties will be essential to Lexingtonians who believe in preservation. I recently engaged in opposing the expansion of the Bluegrass Station, which if successful, could have taken over 2,000 acres of farmland by way of Eminent Domain. Although I reached out to the Rural Land Management Board for support, my phone call was never returned. Both Bourbon County and Winchester have written letters opposing the expansion, while Fayette County stood quite literally mute. Although the expansion project has been ‘closed’ due to public opposition, there is always the threat of a similar situation reemerging. Proper planning and partnering with local boards, neighborhoods, and communities is vital to protecting the 12th District.

What criteria or information do you believe should be considered and/or required when evaluating how and where Lexington should grow moving forward?

Answer: I believe in a balanced approach to how and where Lexington should grow moving forward. Criteria could include factors such as infrastructure, economic versus environmental impacts of growth, and comparison against existing underutilized / unutilized land inventory.

Question No. 4:

What do you see as the pillars of Lexington-Fayette County’s strong and diverse economy (manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, etc.)?

Answer: The pillars of our community are Health, Hospitality, and Horses followed closely by Education, Agriculture, and Tourism. All these industries work in concert to create Lexington’s vibrant and unique economy. Ancillary to those key components include industrial, tradespeople, and cottage elements that make Lexington such a diverse and creative place to live.

Question No. 5:

What specific policies do you recommend for:

Activating existing economic development land for jobs, such as nearly 250 acres at Coldstream?
Creating opportunities for job growth utilizing the significant vacant office and commercial spaces within our urban area?

Answer: As a Real Estate Broker licensed by the State of Kentucky, I feel as though I am up to date on trends facing real estate in Lexington. I have not seen the “significant” vacancies referred to in the questionnaire. Absentee management, “fishing” for better rates, or poor representation may all be factors contributing to unfilled office spaces. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, many have opted to work from home, which may also be a factor attributing to the referenced vacancies. Relaxing zoning restrictions to allow more live/work scenarios to young professionals, who tend to desire closer proximity to work while utilizing smaller living arrangements, may be a solution.

Question No. 6: According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the average Lexingtonian spends 22% of their income on transportation costs and 25% on housing.

What specific policies would you propose to incentivize public transportation, bike/pedestrian improvements, and walkable developments near existing infrastructure to help address both traffic and transportation costs in our community?

Answer: To incentivize public transportation and walkable developments near existing infrastructure, I would advocate for continued expansion of the of the current Adaptive Reuse program criteria. I would encourage mixed-use developments and infill projects near residential areas with accessible sidewalks and enhanced greenspaces buffers. I have personal experience with the Adaptive Reuse program as it was key in the revitalization of the Warehouse Block District.

Offering more flexibility in the way of usage could incentivize commercial property owners to provide solutions, such as bicycle storage stations, weather-friendly bus stop waiting areas other non-vehicular solutions thus improving walkability and reducing vehicle use. Although the automobile is still a vital part of our daily lives, providing necessary infrastructure for bicycles and pedestrians allows for more choice.

What specific policies or strategies do you support to ensure the continued strength of these industries and protect rural land and natural resources that support them as our community continues to grow?

Answer: I would promote incentivizing landowners to convert “yardlands” to farmlands in the form of tax benefits, advocate for continued funding and expansion of the Purchase Developments Rights (PDR) program, and support the creation of more environmental stewardship and conservation programs.

Many rural properties could be utilized for small-scale farming; however, the cost of labor and expensive farming equipment can be inhibitive and potential farmland remains a yard instead. Providing incentives to rural property owners to convert “yardlands” into farmland by allowing certain tax credits could be a possibility to revive an interest in farming and make it more affordable. I have two properties in the 12th District currently protected by the Purchase Development Rights Program (PDR) and believe continued funding for that program is step one in ensuring the conservation of rural land. I have conveyed the usage of thirty (30) acres of farmland to SeedLeaf, a non-profit organization that specializes in urban farming practices. Although I receive no tax benefit nor compensation for this direction, providing an incentive to others might be key in creating partnerships between organizations who wish to farm and those with underutilized farmland.

As well, I am in favor of creating more environmental stewardship programs to protect and conserve wildlife and natural habitat. Many rural land areas in the 12th District are home to a vast array of wildlife that would not be able to thrive if the land were developed. My PDR-protected land, located less than 10 driving minutes to Hamburg, is home to deer, turkey, fox, coyote, possum, racoon, bob cat, mink, beaver, wild ducks, and blue heron. Continued growth into rural land destroys natural habitat and displaces our wildlife.

Question No. 8: Community engagement and permitting meaningful public input on local policies is a key part of a thriving democracy.

How do you plan to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure transparent decision-making processes regarding land use policy in Lexington-Fayette County to foster community trust and collaboration?

Answer: One of the key components to my successful career is accessibility. I plan to continue that level of accessibility as a Council-member by meeting with Neighborhood Associations and addressing the concerns of those I would represent. I also plan to implement an online platform where 12th District residents can share opinions, take surveys, and keep up to date on issues by way of a digital newsletter.

Question No. 9: Across the U.S. and in Lexington-Fayette County, housing costs are increasing and there is a growing disparity between income levels and housing affordability.

What specific strategies or initiatives would you propose to address the pressing issue of affordable housing, ensuring that all members of our community have access to safe, affordable housing options?
Do you believe that the mandated expansion of the Urban Service Boundary will effectively address housing needs in Lexington? Why or why not?

Answer 1: As a believer in a free market economy, I do think incentives for developers to provide more affordable housing options would be more effective than governmental mandates. Unfortunately, preserving rural farmland has restricted the area available for housing development, however it cannot be the sole factor for the disparity between income levels and housing affordability in Lexington if this is a nationwide problem, which it is. Lexington’s hope for rising above national economics will have to include partnership and a good relationship between policymakers and developers.

Answer 2: I do not believe that expanding the urban service boundary will address Lexington’s housing needs. Any structure built within the expansion area will be new homes, at new home prices. Rising construction and infrastructure costs increase home prices that are ultimately passed on to owners and tenants.

Question No. 10: Lexington-Fayette County faces many similar issues to other mid-sized cities, which are rapidly growing across the U.S.

Are there other cities in the U.S. that you would recommend Lexington look to for growth inspiration?
What policies have these other cities implemented that you believe Lexington-Fayette County could also benefit from?

Answer: One could name any number of U.S. cities that have experienced successful growth as an inspiration, however each one was unique in its own struggles and successes. Lexington is so incredibly unique with a rich culture and regional charm unlike any other place in the country and preserving its character ties directly to its continued success. Bluegrass, horses, bourbon, UK Sports and exceptional healthcare facilities are all factors that make our home uniquely Lexington.

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2024 Lexington-Fayette County Candidate Questionnaire

District 1

Tayna Fogle

Tyler Morton

Darnell Tagaloa

District 2

Shayla Lynch

Jacques Wigginton

District 3

Hannah LeGris

District 4

Brenda Monarrez

Brack Marquette

Emma Curtis

District 5

Liz Sheehan

Meredith Price

District 6

Denise Gray

District 7

Joseph Hale

Frank Cannavo

Heather Hadi

William Matthew Housh

District 8

Amy Beasley

District 9

Whitney Baxter

District 10

Dave Sevigny

District 11

Jennifer Reynolds

District 12

Hilary J. Boone IV

Chad Walker

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