Platform and Key Issues
I am running to be your voice on the City Council. Our neighborhoods—from the historic charm of the Avenues and Capitol Hill to the vibrant energy of Marmalade and Guadalupe—are the heart of our city. My vision is to champion a community that is safe, sustainable, and prosperous for every resident, blending our rich history with a forward-looking approach to growth.
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PLATFORM
Affordable Housing and Smart Growth
The promise of Salt Lake City is becoming unattainable for too many of our neighbors. The housing crisis threatens the very soul of our city by pricing out the essential workers, teachers, and artists who make our community vibrant. My vision is to restore that promise: **if you help build our city, you should absolutely be able to build a life here. This vision —a commitment to bold, compassionate, and practical policies that create a home for everyone. Our strategy is to introduce **'gentle density'** that fits seamlessly into the historic character of District 3, not high-rise towers. Pillar 1: Grow Thoughtfully & Diversify Housing We must increase our housing supply while respecting and enhancing the character of our beloved neighborhoods. **End Exclusionary Zoning:** Eliminate outdated single-family-only zoning citywide to legalize "missing middle" housing like **duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes** on residential lots. The ability to build with gentle density will provide more options to homeowners and those looking to buy. We need to promote homeownership for people to generate stability and equity. * **Neighborhood Community Plans:** Advocate for the updated and current plans for District 3's neighborhoods to be flexible and responsive to modern housing needs while ensuring new developments are **architecturally compatible** with the surrounding area. **Revitalize Neighborhood Nodes:** Activate small neighborhood centers by allowing corner stores with apartments above them. **Promote Adaptive Reuse:** Create a fast-track process for converting underutilized commercial buildings or vacant properties into vibrant new housing. --- Pillar 2: Unlock Backyard Solutions (ADUs) Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a powerful tool for creating affordable housing, providing rental income for homeowners and attainable options for renters. We must make building them radically simple. **Cut the Red Tape:** Overhaul the ADU ordinance by **eliminating restrictive barriers** like owner-occupancy requirements and simplifying the complex permitting process. **Financial & Technical Support:** Expand the city’s low-interest loan program to help more low- and moderate-income homeowners finance ADU construction. --- Pillar 3: Mandate True Affordability & Incentives As our city grows, we must ensure that new development benefits everyone, not just the wealthy. * **Specific Density Bonus Program:** Implement a policy that grants a density bonus to developers who dedicate a minimum of **15% of units to be affordable** for households earning **60% of the Area Median Income (AMI)**. **Strengthen Inclusionary Zoning:** Require all new large-scale residential projects to include a dedicated percentage of affordable units on-site. **Housing Trust Fund:** Continue to support and fund the city-managed Affordable Housing Trust Fund that will be used exclusively to build and preserve deeply affordable housing. Pillar 4: Build for People, Not Just Cars We must put people and affordability first. **Encourage Unbundled Parking:** Require developers to offer parking as a separate option for sale or rent, increasing affordability for residents without cars and making the actual cost of driving transparent. * **Smart Growth & Community Benefit:** Work to ensure new development provides meaningful community benefits, such as enhanced public spaces and transit-oriented designs, that integrate seamlessly with our established neighborhoods.
Support for Small Business Owners & Economic Vitality
Our small businesses are the economic engine and cultural soul of District 3. They create jobs, foster community, and make our neighborhoods vibrant places to live. They need more than just support—they need a true partner on the City Council. A Small Business Advocate: I will serve as a dedicated advocate for our local entrepreneurs, helping them navigate city regulations and access resources. Create a “one stop shop” for small business owners to access necessary and vital start up resources and allow streamlined permitting and licensing and other resources for new and existing small businesses Revitalize Local Commerce: I will champion initiatives to revitalize our commercial corridors by advocating for targeted grants, simplified permitting, and tax incentives that help small businesses open and thrive. I will also push for protections for businesses impacted by long-term construction projects, ensuring they have the financial support needed to survive. Encourage Entrepreneurship: I will work to connect aspiring and current small business owners with essential city and county resources like the Salt Lake City Library's business assistance programs, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and local funding opportunities.
Homelessness and Housing Instability
Public Safety
Public safety is the foundation of a vibrant community. My approach is comprehensive, focusing on proactive measures, effective law enforcement, and fostering strong community-police relationships. Increase Neighborhood Patrols & Engagement: I will advocate for increasing the police department's capacity to conduct regular, visible, and dedicated neighborhood patrols throughout the district, particularly in areas near parks and commercial corridors, while simultaneously enhancing community engagement programs. Invest in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): I will support neighborhood grant programs for residents and small businesses to implement CPTED principles (e.g., better lighting, improved sightlines, clear boundary markings) to physically deter crime and enhance public confidence. Focus on Property Crime Reduction: I will work with the police department and neighborhood watch programs to develop and fund targeted initiatives to reduce property crime (such as package theft and vehicle break-ins), providing resources and educational outreach to residents.
Homelessness is a humanitarian crisis that demands a compassionate, citywide response. We must move beyond managing the crisis to implementing proven, housing-first solutions that restore dignity and stability to our unsheltered neighbors while ensuring public spaces are safe and accessible for all. Advocate for a Low-Barrier Housing First Model: I will push the city to invest in and expedite the creation of permanent supportive housing (PSH) and low-barrier shelter options, focusing on models that prioritize immediate housing without preconditions. Fund Coordinated Street Outreach Teams: I will champion increased funding for dedicated, non-police outreach teams that specialize in connecting unsheltered individuals with immediate resources, housing assessments, and essential services on the streets of District 3. Support the Homeless Outreach Court: I will continue to champion the Salt Lake City Justice Court's Homeless Outreach Court. This compassionate alternative to the traditional justice system connects individuals with the legal aid, housing, and treatment they need to find stability and reduce recidivism.
Accountability, Transparency, and Trust
A city council member must ensure the government is responsive, responsible, and forward-thinking on issues that impact our daily lives and how taxpayer dollars are spent. Commitment to Fiscal Transparency & Accountability Fiscal Transparency: I will demand that all city development agreements, budget allocations, and major project proposals are made easily accessible and clearly understandable to the public, going beyond minimum legal requirements. Council Accountability: I will commit to regular, accessible town halls and neighborhood office hours across all areas of District 3 to ensure direct, continuous dialogue with residents and hold the City Council accountable to the community's priorities. My Stance on City Council Compensation: Regarding the Salt Lake Tribune's question on a City Council pay increase, I chose 'Decline to answer' because a simple yes or no fails to capture the responsible, transparent approach this issue deserves. My priority is not, and will not be, council compensation. My focus is entirely on the pressing needs of our residents—tackling the housing crisis through my 'Salt Lake City Compact' and supporting local entrepreneurs with my 'Homegrown Economy' plan. Any discussion about council pay must be handled transparently, be based on a data-driven analysis of the workload, and most importantly, should only be considered after we have delivered tangible results on the issues that matter most to the people of this city.
Transportation: Cohesive City, Safe Streets
Transportation is the lifeblood of our city, but it's often a source of frustration. My vision focuses on both the large-scale infrastructure needed for a regional city and the small, immediate improvements that impact daily life in our neighborhoods. Focus 1: Connected & Walkable Neighborhoods The historic charm of District 3 is defined by its beautiful streets, but many are designed to move cars quickly, which consistently puts residents at risk1. I will champion immediate, resident-focused solutions to reclaim our streets for the people who live on them. Aggressively Prioritize Traffic Calming: Implement proven strategies like raised crosswalks, curb extensions, better lighting, and speed mitigation on key corridors to ensure every child has a safe route to walk to school. I will advocate for proven traffic calming measures—such as speed bumps, roundabouts, and more stop signs—on residential streets to improve safety for our families. Address Neglected Streets Immediately: The frustration on streets like E and I Street is unacceptable. I will advocate for moving up the timeline for traffic calming on these and other neglected streets, exploring the use of existing grants (like Greater Avenues Grants) as seed funds, and pushing for faster, tangible action over three-year timelines. Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety: Prioritize projects that address the lack of dedicated bike lanes and safe sidewalks, particularly in older neighborhoods like The Avenues and Capitol Hill. Neighborhood Parking Permits: We will work directly with neighborhood community councils to implement a data-driven neighborhood parking permit program for areas struggling with excessive street parking. Focus 2: Major Infrastructure & Forward Thinking Our future depends on bold, large-scale solutions that connect our entire community and prepare us for future growth. Unwavering Support for the Rio Grande Plan: The Rio Grande Plan is the cornerstone of my long-term transportation vision. It is a bold project that would unify our city by eliminating the physical barrier of the train tracks, unlocking vast opportunities for urban redevelopment. Modernizing Public Transit: We must not only maintain our current system but also actively seek ways to make it more convenient and efficient. Prioritize Public Transit Funding: Aggressively advocate for City Council funding that supports extended hours and increased frequency for UTA bus routes and TRAX lines that serve District 3. Innovative Transit Options: Support the expansion of services like UTA On Demand for flexible, on-demand micro-transit solutions that effectively address the "last mile" problem. Improve District Connectivity: Champion a high-frequency neighborhood circulator or a flexible microtransit service specifically designed for areas like the Avenues to seamlessly connect residents to major transit hubs and downtown. Forward-Thinking Infrastructure: Intelligent Traffic Management: Advocate for raising speed limits to reflect modern vehicle capabilities and improve traffic flow on major thoroughfares, while simultaneously implementing traffic calming measures on residential streets. Improving Traffic Flow in The Avenues: Work to improve traffic flow on major arterial roads through The Avenues, such as 11th Avenue and 13th Avenue, exploring synchronized traffic signals and targeted intersection improvements. EV Charging Network: Champion a rapid expansion of electric vehicle charging points and ports across the city through strategic public and private investment.
Enhancing and Maintaining Our Green Spaces
Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Crises Response
The availability of natural spaces is fundamental to the health and quality of life in District 3. Our proximity to City Creek Canyon and Memory Grove Park gives us a unique responsibility to protect and expand our urban green infrastructure. Pillar 1: Expanding Our Urban Tree Canopy A robust tree canopy is our best defense against the urban heat island effect and poor air quality. Prioritize Urban Forestry: I will push to significantly increase the budget for tree planting and care to combat the urban heat island effect and improve air quality. Community-Based Mapping: I will support a new program allowing residents to identify potential sites for new trees and green spaces, empowering the community to make our city greener, block by block. Incentivize Tree Planting: I will advocate for incentives and rebates for homeowners who plant and maintain approved trees on their property. Pillar 2: Parks, Trails, and Waterways We must fully fund the maintenance of our existing public lands and strategically create new ones. Fund Park Maintenance: I will push for increased funding to maintain our city parks and trails, addressing deferred maintenance and ensuring these spaces are safe and accessible. Create Pocket Parks: I will advocate for the creation of new pocket parks and small green spaces, converting unused or underutilized public land within our densely populated neighborhoods. Protect Local Waterways: I will champion initiatives to improve the health and ecological function of City Creek and other local streams as they flow through our district. Pillar 3: Championing the Green Loop The Salt Lake City Green Loop is a transformative project that will connect our district like never before. Prioritize District 3 Segments: I will champion the Green Loop's expansion into District 3, specifically along its proposed route (including the 500 West and South Temple portions). Enhanced Connectivity: This expansion will create safer, more connected, and enjoyable routes for pedestrians and cyclists, ensuring our neighborhoods are directly linked to downtown amenities, other trails, and transit hubs.
Addressing the mental health and substance abuse crises is key to reducing crime and promoting public well-being. We must invest in specialized responses that are appropriate for non-violent emergencies. Support & Expand Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOTs): I will partner with Salt Lake County to significantly increase the funding and availability of MCOTs, ensuring that trained mental health professionals, rather than armed police officers, are the primary responders to non-violent mental health and substance abuse crises in our district. Expand Community Access to Care: I will champion initiatives to integrate mental health support into community spaces, such as neighborhood resource centers and libraries, and push for city partnerships with local non-profits to offer accessible, low-cost counseling services. Implement a Substance Use Disorder Strategy: I will advocate for a comprehensive city strategy focused on harm reduction and treatment, including expanding access to Narcan training and supporting city-county partnerships to connect individuals with long-term recovery programs immediately following an overdose response.
Environmental Stewardship & Green Infrastructure
The quality of our air and the health of our natural environment are fundamental to the quality of life in District 3. We have a unique responsibility to protect and expand our urban green spaces and adopt climate-resilient policies. Urban Forestry & Tree Canopy Expansion: I will prioritize expanding our urban tree canopy to combat the urban heat island effect and improve air quality. I will advocate for doubling the city's tree planting budget with a focus on planting in historically underserved neighborhoods within District 3. Protect City Creek Canyon: I will be a fierce defender of City Creek Canyon’s watershed designation, opposing any measure that would compromise its pristine quality as a crucial source of our drinking water and a vital environmental resource. Green Infrastructure Development: I will champion the use of permeable paving, rain gardens, and bio-swales in public projects and private development incentives to manage stormwater runoff, reduce pollution flowing into the Jordan River, and conserve water. Support the Green Loop & Active Transportation: I will champion the expansion of the Salt Lake City Green Loop into District 3, specifically along its proposed route (500 West and South Temple segments), to create safer, more connected, and enjoyable routes for pedestrians and cyclists, linking our neighborhoods directly to downtown amenities and transit hubs.