Answer: I believe it�s a matter of finding the right balance. We need to provide housing opportunities that will encourage families to stay and grow within our city. But we also need to recognize and respect the character of the surrounding neighborhood. The focus should be on writing zoning guidelines that address the concerns but still provide acceptable solutions. We do not want to adopt restrictive guidelines that could potentially discourage people from improving their property or buying in Salt Lake City.

Question 4: There has been much talk about developing the city's Northwest Quadrant, which lies west of the airport. Some see this area as a place where tens of thousands of residents could eventually live in master planned communities. However, there are some concerns. Some want the area preserved as natural open space. Others say it's too costly to put homes way out there. Police and fire services in the city are already stretched thin and putting houses five miles west of downtown would further strap public safety and other services like public utilities. Still, proponents maintain the city needs to add more residents so it remains Utah's largest city and keeps it's political clout in the face of other rapidly growing municipalities. What's your vision for the Northwest Quadrant? If you favor development how will the city pay for it?

Answer: The potential development of the Northwest Quadrant presents an incredible opportunity to create an entirely new community and bring more families and services into the city. The desire to preserve open space should be considered an asset, not an impediment. There are many examples of cities who have successfully managed the preservation and improvement of open space as the major amenity within a master planned community. The city�s cost for infrastructure, services and parks should be no different than what is being experienced in the development of communities throughout the valley. What is not covered by developer participation and impact fees could be financed long term with bonds that are serviced by the increase in property and sales tax or through special assessments and fees on the development.

Question 5: Some people are saying City Hall is hard to work with because Mayor Anderson and the City Council don't get along. Is the push and pull between the council and mayor a problem? Explain why or why not. Is the rift more the fault of the council or the mayor? As a council person will you seek friendly relations with the mayor or do you think city government works better if there is some tension between the two houses of government?

Answer: This not the first time that Salt Lake City has had tension between the council and the Mayor so I don�t think that the current relationship is causing any serious or unique problems. I can�t speak to who�s more at fault without knowing all of the facts. But I do strongly feel that both sides need to recognize the issue and make an effort to improve relations in order to calm everyone�s concerns. My goal will be to help improve the relationship by simply focusing on the issues and making decisions that I feel are best for the city and its residents.