Over-reaching City Government - Disconnected Leaders

By Jason Born

We currently have an over-reaching city government creating policy that is anti-home improvement and refurbishment, which ultimately hurts Belmont home values and families. The Council often seems disconnected to the youth and does not do enough to enhance the quality of life for all.

As Belmont goes forward, we must guiding new growth toward our existing cities and away from our beautiful rolling hills and rich open spaces. Proper planning, forecasting, and encouragement in solving the housing crisis is critical. Building more housing overall and affordable housing for our work force and teachers in particular strengthens our economy and community, while protecting our environment.

Belmont is in the process of creating a new neighborhood downtown centered on the train station. I have the MOST experience of all the candidates with regard to understanding land-use policies, the commercial real estate market and the planning & building process. I am the BEST qualified to help Belmont create understandable guidlines and promote the development of walkable neighborhoods and encourage the use of green sustainable building methods.

I support specific involvement of government. For example: Fast tracking solar system permits and reducing permit fees for sustainable design. Thoughtful and sustainable design incorporating mixed-use principles near transit centers is environmentally responsible. The intervention I support is on policies that include high community design standards and documented policies like Form-Based Codes that builders and can use as guidelines, reducing massive bureaucracy and residents can rely on for quality.

The Planning Commission should be helping set the appropriate scale of structures, not designing kitchens, baths and interior spaces. Also, we can do more to encourage new fresh ideas to the town.