City Council: District 7

We sent our questionnaire to all filed candidates. Responses marked with a [...] indicate the candidate didn't directly answer yes or no, but may have provided a written explanation. Responses were edited for typos, but not substance.

You can find the full candidate surveys below, or scroll down to see candidate responses side by side for agree/disagree questions.


Candidates for City Council President

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Click on a candidate below to see their full narrative responses.


QUESTION COMPARISONS

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Hover or click on a candidate to see an extended response if the candidate provided one.

10. I support removing parking on a street if it would improve safety and increase mobility of people using that street.

Safety ought to be a major priority in our communities, and if parking is hindering safty on the streets, we should be able to find alternatives.

I support this but I can't in all honesty say I'll go to the mat to rip out parking in every instance where its a possibility. We're not there yet in terms of alternatives.

I agree, but I would seek public input to ensure community needs are met.

 

11. Minimum parking requirements are shown to increase housing costs while limiting potential density and making neighborhoods less walkable. I support following the lead of other cities that have removed minimum parking requirements from new development.

I believe that minimum parking requirements harm the environment and encourage inequity as new developments come with these minimum requirements causing costs to go too high for the community to afford. Food prices rise as do everything connected to minimum parking

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12. Some cities require employers that subsidize parking also offer an option for employees to receive that subsidy as a cash payment. I support a mandate that employers offer parking cash- out so that employees can choose to pocket that money, use it for alternative transportation, or continue using that cash to pay for parking.

I contend that the more incentives you offer people, the more options that they may choose to make healthier life choices. Waking when possible is a wonderful break and it leaves people more healthier.

Unless its determined people are pocketing the subsidy and street parking for free.

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13. Increasing density in areas of opportunity is proven to help individuals escape poverty. I support taller, denser, or larger buildings in areas they are now prohibited by zoning.

The housing issues in Baltimore city is such that mixed dwelling units are needed to house those who have no place to go.

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I agree with increasing our density but it must be done public input and ensure historic neighborhoods are not adversely impacted should any change be proposed.

 

14. Transit oriented development can expand access to areas of opportunity by locating housing and retail along high frequency transit. Current zoning code only identifies these zones along subway and light rail routes. I support expanded Transit Oriented Development zoning to include areas within a quarter mile of high-frequency bus routes.

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15. It is now widely accepted that Single Family Residential Zoning was historically created to maintain racial segregation. I support removing Single Family Residential Zoning categories, allowing both single family and multi family residences to be built in all residential zoning areas.

I believe that both can coexist and be beneficial to our community. Therefore we should encourage and allow both to exist.

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We have to be deliberate in undoing the systemic effects of racial segregation. This must also include actions to ensure economically diverse neighborhoods as well.

 

16. I support allowing existing residences to be split into apartments in all zoning categories without having to pass legislation for each conversion, increasing density in neighborhoods that were traditionally single family homes.

I believe that there are many factors to consider before allowing residences to just split without a proper forum. These are conversations that the community should engage and not just individual landowners.

I got news for people who think their single family zoned neighborhood is being strictly adhered to.

Again, I agree with increasing our density. However, we have to ensure that single-family neighborhoods maintain a public process for conversions. There should be oversight and deliberate due process for the public.

 

17. At 20mph, 90% of pedestrians survive being hit by a car. At 40mph, only 10% survive. I support enforcing a maximum speed limit of 25 mph on arterial streets, and 20 mph on local streets.

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18. Allowing turns on red is a contributing factor in increased pedestrian injury and death. I support banning turns on red at all intersections that allow pedestrian crossing.

I would pursue this on a case by case basis with an emphasis on reducing slip lane right turns. And I say that as someone whose life has been in the hands of squealing brake pads more than once.

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19. Automated Speed and Red Light Enforcement Cameras are widely proven to reduce fatal collisions. I support using these cameras on any street, not just near schools and construction sites.

I believe that there are many factors to consider before placing redlights and speeklights throughout the city. Notwithstanding, most police officers are solving major crime i the city, and so what is needed are the parents to keep on sharing input.

Strongly agree.

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20. The Automated Speed Enforcement Camera current threshold is 12 miles per hour. I support cameras being able to issue citations for those traveling 5 miles per hour or more over the speed limit.

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More like... 9.

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21. I would invest in automated enforcement cameras that will issue citations to private automobiles for being stopped or parked in bus lanes.

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Including UPS and Fedex and Amazon.

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22. Dedicated bus lanes and bus boarding islands are proven to dramatically improve bus reliability and boarding times. I support removing parking or travel lanes to create bus lanes and boarding islands to improve bus performance.

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A project like this for major arteries in West Baltimore would be one of my highest priorities.

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23. The city adopted the Greenway Trails Network plan that will connect existing trails such as Gwynns Falls Trail and Herring Run Trail to create a 35-mile trail loop that connects 80% of Baltimore’s neighborhoods to greenspace and recreational trails. I support the construction of these trail connections, even if it requires using grass medians or taking road space or parking space away from private automobiles.

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District-Specific Questions

1. The Gwynns Falls Parkway was designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm, and the original plans called for a median running recreational trail to connect Gwynns Falls Park and Leakin Park to Druid Hill Park. The Baltimore Greenway Trails Network Plan calls for bringing this vision to reality by constructing a recreational trail on the Gwynns Falls Parkway corridor as part of a larger 35-mile trail loop. I support designing and constructing this portion of the Greenway Trails Network Plan on Gwynns Falls Parkway.

I support this issue as it will help make our community more healthier and provide much needed jobs.

It would be tragic to lose all those trees in the median but Gwynns Falls really doesn't need to be more than one travel lane in each direction.

I would need more information.

 


2. The Big Jump is a temporary walking and biking path along Druid Park Lake Drive, connecting Auchentoroly, Reservoir Hill, and Remington for the first time for people who lack access to a car. The Access Project for Druid Hill (TAP Druid Hill), builds upon The Big Jump by calling for a corridor analysis and redesign of Druid Park Drive, Reisterstown Road, Auchentoroly Terrace, and Druid Park Lake Drive. I support efforts to maintain a safe, all-ages walking and biking path along Druid Park Lake Drive as well as expanding neighborhood access to Druid Hill Park through a corridor analysis and redesign of the above streets, even if it means slowing down cars, taking away travel lanes, or removing significant portions of roadway altogether.

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The Big Jump stays, period.

I strongly believe this corridor needs these traffic calming measures. I often see persons' cars running on to green spaces or into barriers during my commute. I fear seeing some hit by car turning into the Mt. Royal Terrance turn.