Traffic congestion is a relative thing. Compared to other locations, Lafayette does not have a traffic problem. However, there is a distinct perception that there is traffic congestion here and, to some extent, there actually is. We need to think “outside the box” for traffic solutions. We need to utilize our traffic engineer to his maximum and to continuously press the State for funding to implement construction projects to alleviate traffic congestion and improve flow. As to Johnston Street redesign, we need to consider what can be done on a non-cost prohibitive basis, but we also need to consider the impact any such redesign would have on the affected property owners. As to public transportation, we need to do all we can to entice the public to use public transportation.

 Lafayette has to adopt a Smart Growth policy. There is too much emphasis on having to drive everywhere. We will never keep up with building or widening enough existing roads to accommodate everyone if one had to drive everywhere. Urban sprawl does that. Smart growth is the way for the future. On the Johnston Street redesign I am familiar with the details of that plan. I believe that public transportation is a vital part of Lafayette’s future.

The LINC Comprehensive Plan for the Parish should be implemented and funding, required by State law, should be appropriated to implement that plan. As to “Smart Growth,” it should be considered a type of road map to the orderly growth and development of Lafayette Parish.

As to blighted areas, we have the opportunity to utilize private sector resources to address blighted areas. In other locations, a bid process/request for proposal process is utilized to entice members of the private sector to come in and purchase blighted/condemned areas with a requirement that those condemned structures be demolished and that the revitalized properties be placed into the stream of commerce. Once that happens, these newly invigorated properties are no longer a drain on the LGC because of unpaid taxes and/or continued grass cutting liens, etc.

 I would support funding as required by State law for Lafayette in a Century Comprehensive Plan. The older neighborhoods need to be protected from open zoning regulations as we have in most older neighborhoods. Now people won’t build a house in a neighborhood that allows almost anything next door. Restricted commercial zoning in older neighborhoods must be implemented.

The Smart Growth concept would ease the constant strain to build new roads and expand existing roadways and infrastructure by controlling urban sprawl. I believe the Smart Growth approach would be ideal for Lafayette Parish.

The I-49 Connector coming through Lafayette is a perfect opportunity for city government to put emphasis on its blighted areas and make those areas more attractive for the private investor to invest in new homes, and business where the infrastructure is already in place.

There have been proposed new flood elevation maps which will become effective within the next 12 to 18 months. The implementation of those new flood maps and the restrictions imposed upon new construction in those areas will help to improve flooding situations. The LCG must enforce those new restrictions. Likewise, the LCG must make sure that with all new development there is adequate flood/drainage studies which will insure that new construction does not increase flood problems. As to impact fees or similar assessments, there should be a balance between the developer and the government. Ultimately, the developer passes on those impact fees to the purchaser. Although the developer needs to make a fair profit, the developer should bear a satisfactory proportion of the infrastructure improvements.

The drainage problem is a complex one as stated in the 17 specific LINC committee recommendations. We believe a permanent citizen-based Drainage Advisor Committee is probably the best way for the parish to keep up with the drainage problems now and in the future.

 Quality of life should be one of our highest priorities. We need to maintain our existing public parks and green spaces, but we also need to increase those green spaces. The UL/Lafayette Horse Farm property is a prime example of an area that could be maintained as green space and utilized as a public park. This would also insure that there is no further increase of traffic congestion on Johnston Street. More negotiation with the state should be had in order to attempt an arrangement whereby the state could deed that property to the LCG.

I would support clean up of existing waste sites that would be impacted by planning public works projects. In response to your example of hazardous waste buried in the path of a proposed road, there are remediation laws in place which could be invoked both through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

 I would support additional public parks and green spaces in the city and parish. The ULL horse farm should be preserved for a future green space. I would support the cleanup of a hazardous waste site buried in the path of a proposed road project.

We need a full fledged disaster plan in place which would address the issue of communication, emergency response, sanitation removal and re-energization of power outages. Once that master plan is fleshed out, we should have a full fledged “table top” exercise to insure that all facets of that plan are workable. That plan should also address and insure that the needy, elderly, nursing home or bed-bound population and those without means of transportation have assistance in evacuation. We should coordinate that master plan with not only the local office of emergency preparedness but also the State office of emergency preparedness. We should make that plan a reality now and not wait for another natural disaster to prompt that planning.

The disaster communication plan is already in place, coordinated through Bill Vincent’s office and that plan can be modified to meet various needs. The plan for evacuation is already in place where all of Lafayette’s city buses, vans, etc. would transport people to the Clifton Chenier Center where they could be evacuated through Home Land Security plan. I believe that there is a plan in place that covers planning, and coordinated from the state and national level. The key is to be ready for any eventuality and hope the people cooperate with officials to implement the plan.

 Although hospital and emergency care facilities have congregated in mid-city and continue to expand on the Southside of Lafayette, it is not too late to entice some of them to develop satellite locations on the Northside through economic incentives, etc. Furthermore, efforts should be made to solicit health care providers who are presently not in Lafayette to locate on the Northside of the Parish. Again, this could be done through economic incentives.

As to the issue of renaming Martin Luther King Drive and its controversy: that controversy should never have existed. It was an emotional issue that should have been diffused from day one. Leadership should have been exercised to insure that all parties involved in the controversy were heard and that a palatable solution was reached without allowing the issue to fester.

 I believe the future growth of Lafayette will occur on the north side of the city and a quicker medical response time will follow that growth. On the MLK Street name issue there has to be some dialog on the part of all council members before the public vote. Public bickering should be avoided because it accomplishes nothing positive when the debate is before the TV cameras.