2007 election questionnaire — Luke J. Garrott

BIO
Name: Luke J. Garrott
Age: 40
Occupation: Political science professor, University of Utah

Previous political experience: Board member for the Central City Neighborhood Council, 2006-present; instructor for the Westside Leadership Institute, 2004-present; head coach for West High soccer, 2002-04; member of the Salt Lake City Community Council Recognition Ordinance Committee, 2005-present; teaches the service-learning program neighborhood democracy.P>

• Why do you want to represent District 4 on the Salt Lake City Council?

Our city needs visionary and proactive leadership to deal with our most pressing issues — downtown redevelopment, historical preservation, transit-oriented development and maintaining the quality and affordability of our neighborhoods. I believe I can offer such leadership.

• What do you see as the largest issue for District 4 and how do you propose to tackle it?

We have so many challenges it is hard to choose just one, but I'd have to focus on residents having more control over land use. We need development that is quality; that is, in character with neighborhoods and a legacy for future generations that we will be proud of. I want to reinvigorate the neighborhood planning process and follow master plans — not just amend them every time they clash with new development projects. I also believe we can do more to protect and promote our unique commercial districts. The loss of the Granite block in Sugar House will be felt for years, and I'd hate to see the same thing happen to, say, 9th and 9th or East Broadway.

• Salt Lake City voters will decide whether to approve bonding for up to $192 million to pay for new public safety facilities. Do you support this bond, and why or why not?

I have reservations about the size of the bond, the scope of the projects and the amount of land that needs to be purchased. We need new public safety facilities, but I would prefer a process that is more open, collaborative and flexible than this one has been. I would be very willing to put a new proposal back on the ballot in 2008 if it fails this year.

• Plans for the LDS Church's City Creek Center development call for a skybridge across Main Street to connect shopping areas on the second level of the outdoor mall. The City Council amended the city's master plan to allow for such projects to be considered. What is your opinion of skybridges in general and specifically for the City Creek project? If elected, will you support the skybridge being built?