DEVELOPMENT

AS WARD 6 COUNCIL MEMBER, I'VE BEEN OPEN AND HONEST WITH MY VIEWS.  

 As a scientist, I'm fact-oriented by nature. My opinions are ALWAYS subject to change in light of new information, or strong public support of a persuasive factual argument, but not in response to changing political winds. 

NO decision will please everyone, but my factual rationale will always be clear.

Development Goals

To me, trees and green space are what makes our City special. My Priority 1 for ALL development has been and always will be to minimize aesthetic and environmental impacts. 

• NO City Council Member has worked harder to reduce development impacts, with
  • increased visual screening of any new construction, in all Wards.
  • enhanced environmental protections, erosion control, and tree preservation standards.

• Residents including myself refuse to sacrifice future quality of life to promote development.
• Issues of law, fairness, convenience, and economic health of our City make this harder.   
• The rights of particular property owners sometimes conflict with those of nearby residents.

• Since 2020 there has only been one significant Ward 6 development. 
  • 11 homes (6+ ac./home) were built in a treeless field on the 68-acre "Theiss place".
  • Virtually the entire forested part of the original parcel remains to screen the site. 
  • Great care was taken to over-engineer the well and septic systems. 
  • Additional landscaping was installed at the road to reduce visual impact to near-zero.  

• I currently participate in the 3rd Wildwood Master Plan 10-year Revision Committee.
• I hope to increase but streamline development scrutiny via this Committee and elsewhere.
• I’ve opposed increasing physical, visual, or light pollution, or congestion on rural byways.