Q & A with City Council candidates for District 3

Eric Jergensen: "I fully support the addition of more police officers— specifically patrol officers — to our police force in a number to be discussed strategically with the police department. Raising taxes would never be my first choice, but I would be willing to consider it as an option."

Janneke House: "New officers will be necessary, but we need to examine the budget before raising taxes and look at other alternatives."

Question: Downtown remains a concern for many residents. Do you feel the city is doing the right things to help revitalize downtown?

Eric Jergensen: "Key to downtown revitalization is the expansion of downtown housing, with both market rate and affordable units. The RDA is a great facilitator of such development and council members, acting as board members of the RDA, can accelerate and support such efforts."

Janneke House: "I think the city is doing the right things, but it is a slow process. One of the problems we face is developers who are land-banking on Main Street. The council needs to explore solutions to this obstacle to revitalization."

Question: What's your vision for the city's undeveloped Northwest Quadrant west of the Salt Lake City International Airport? If you favor development how will the city pay for it?

Eric Jergensen: "I have strongly supported the development of a Northwest Quadrant Master Plan effort to discuss issues relating to public safety, public utilities, environmental concerns, public infrastructure and residential/commercial development."

Janneke House: "There are plenty of ways to increase the population without developing an area that will stretch thin our municipal serves or reduce our open space. Increasing downtown density is a great way to add residents."

Question: One of the biggest issues of late in District 3 has been people tearing down traditional homes and replacing them with monster homes. How should city government handle this issue?

Eric Jergensen: "The city should develop, as I have recommended for months, a set of area-specific design guidelines that will allow families, architects and contractors to know exactly how they can remodel homes in a way to strengthen neighborhoods, not destroy the very fabric that makes such neighborhoods unique."

Janneke House: "More resources need to be devoted to declaring historic districts in our city. Evidence clearly shows that historic districts have higher property values than ones that do not . . . There should have been compatibility review for the Avenues long ago."