Ponto, Speaker say city on right development path
NOW poses questions about city's growth
March 10, 2010 | 0 comments
Along with high-speed rail, taxes and a possible Interstate 94 interchange, one of the most frequent questions that has come up during this spring's mayoral race has been the candidates' approach to commercial development and redevelopment.
Development and redevelopment play a big role in the city's financial success, and it can have a major impact on helping to shift the tax burden away from residential taxpayers.
Brookfield-Elm Grove NOW asked the two candidates in Brookfield's mayoral race - incumbent Mayor Jeff Speaker and longtime Alderman Steve Ponto - for their take on a number of issues concerning business development.
Each candidate had 100 words to respond.
Defining the mayor's role
Q. What is the mayor's role in attracting new businesses and developments to Brookfield? Should the mayor be actively involved in this sort of solicitation, or should it be left to others?
Ponto: As mayor, I will do all I can to promote the interests of Brookfield. I will take the lead in helping to attract new businesses and developments that benefit the city by providing desired employment and services. I will do this in close cooperation with the city's Economic Development Committee and our economic development coordinator. I will also work closely with other units of government and with the private sector (e.g., the Chamber of Commerce) that are seeking to promote Brookfield.
Speaker: The mayor's job includes providing leadership on economic development issues. I must be visible and responsive to business' and developers' questions; I must support our existing businesses and address issues as they arise. I also must oversee the Community Development Department to make sure that the proper tone is set to welcome redevelopment and not to discourage it.
Giving developers flexibility
Q. Do you think the city provides enough flexibility to commercial developers in terms of building architecture, heights, density, etc., or are Brookfield's rules too stringent?
Ponto: Brookfield is a highly desirable community for commercial developers. Our high standards for architectural design and construction of commercial buildings are appropriate. These standards ultimately benefit all concerned, including the developers. We want commercial developers who share our vision of Brookfield as a premier community. Where there are difficulties with a developer that shares our vision, it tends to be over smaller matters like signage. I believe the city can show some flexibility on smaller matters as long as the building itself meets our standards of quality.
Speaker: The city offers flexibility in certain areas, although not all areas, as we must be concerned about and protect our great diversity of neighborhoods. We constantly balance the new development vs. the impact potential on our residential neighborhoods.
Impact on neighborhoods
Q. How do you strike a balance between encouraging development and redevelopment with the impact it has (increased traffic, etc.) on the city's residential neighborhoods?
Ponto: For at least 20 years, Brookfield has maintained a mix of about 30 percent commercial development and 70 percent residential development. This mix has made Brookfield a convenient place to live and work, and has helped keep the property tax rate down. As mayor, I will strive to maintain this balance. New development and redevelopment have to be appropriate for the city and be carefully planned and located in areas that minimize adverse impact on residential neighborhoods. Targeted Investment Areas are identified in the City's 2035 Comprehensive Plan. Single-family residential neighborhoods are the hallmark of Brookfield and must be protected.
Speaker: The community has set forth a plan, the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, which has recognized the need to find a balance between encouraging development and the impact on our residential neighborhoods. The plan calls for redevelopment in targeted investment areas. These areas are sufficient to stimulate redevelopment and keep Brookfield the world-class city it is. These areas were selected because they would have minimal impact on residential neighborhoods.
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