City's housing mix, population growth issues raised
Mayoral candidates field voters' questions during third forum
Feb. 7, 2010 | 0 comments
Brookfield's final pre-primary mayoral forum Feb. 4 covered a lot of familiar territory, from high-speed rail to city spending, but the four men vying for the mayor's seat had the opportunity to share their thoughts on some other topics, too.
Incumbent Jeff Speaker, Alderman Steve Ponto, County Supervisor Thomas Schellinger and former Alderman and former Elmbrook School Board member David Marcello will square off in a primary Feb. 16.
The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election April 6.
Candidates address housing
About 100 residents, a few of whom had to stand due to limited seating, had a chance to submit questions to the candidates. The forum was sponsored by the East Central Branch of the Waukesha County Republican Party.
It was the first forum that all four candidates were able to attend. Schellinger had missed the first forum because of a work obligation, and he missed the second forum because it fell on the same evening as a County Board meeting.
One of the first questions was about the housing available in the city and whether the candidates would support low- to moderate-income housing in Brookfield.
Speaker said he would follow the city's long-term plans that call for "work force housing" in the Brookfield Square area. He said it promotes more affordable housing - but not low- or moderate-income housing - designed for residents who work in the area.
Marcello said he would not support government-subsidized housing in the city. He also said even moderately priced housing such as the "work force housing" might prove too expensive for some people who work in Brookfield, forcing them to live in cheaper neighboring communities.
Ponto said he would not support government-subsidized housing in Brookfield but that a variety of housing options are already available, from apartments and condominiums to older, single-family homes.
Schellinger agreed, saying prospective residents can find pretty much any type of housing they want in the city.
Can city attract new residents?
The candidates also were asked how the city could attract new residents, especially younger families, considering the declining enrollment in the Elmbrook School District.
Schellinger said Brookfield and its amenities are "an easy sale" if you live here, and that residents and city officials alike need to talk up Brookfield to those living outside the city.
Speaker said the city should work with the school district to promote Brookfield's top-notch educational system. He also said the city needs to continue to develop and improve the "quality of life" attributes people enjoy, such as the city's pathway system.
Marcello said the way to attract new residents and businesses is by having a reasonable tax rate. He reiterated his goal to have property taxes count for 1.5 percent of assessed value instead of the current 1.7 percent. Achieving that goal would take the cooperation of taxing entities other than the city, including the school district and the county, he added.
Ponto said he thinks the city still has one of the leading school districts in the area and that he supported the recent referendum to improve Brookfield Central and Brookfield East high schools. He also cited amenities like the parks system and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.
Northwest area of city a focus
Questioners at all three forums have asked about the candidates' general approaches to development and redevelopment, but an attendee of the final forum asked about a specific area: the northwest side of the city, north of Capitol Drive and west of Brookfield Road.
Ponto said he would like to see that area developed with the same approach as the Gateway West Commerce Center at the southeast corner of Capitol Drive and Springdale Road. He also said annexation of parcels from the town is something that could be considered moving forward.
Schellinger said the city needs to weigh the pros and cons of any kind of development or redevelopment that comes into the area. The goal, he said, would be to have a balance between strong neighborhoods and commercial areas.
Speaker said he supports the neighborhood plan passed in 2008 addressing that area of the city. It calls for a mix of light industrial and a mix of office and retail uses. He said that rough estimates have shown development in the area could add $60 million to the city's tax base.
Marcello said light industrial uses are a good fit for the area, provided bringing in water and sanitary sewer services is financially viable. He said a tax-incremental financing district could be needed there, and recognized that that could delay the financial benefit to Brookfield.
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