New development should be carefully controlled to assure that land use complies with the concept of highest and best use consistent with master plans. Redevelopment must include renewal of aging and declining neighborhoods. Although redevelopment is largely a municipal function, the County should be involved through coordinated public transit, park land acquisition and development, and use of its zoning authority in undeveloped areas to encourage urban rather than rural development.

I will work to develop a County-City cost sharing program, like the current CARS program for streets, to stimulate neighborhood revitalization. Market forces are already building that will prompt infill development in Northeast Johnson County. However, some neighborhoods will not benefit from the market-driven redevelopment, and these difficult situations may be best addressed through concentrated efforts of the County and municipalities targeted at the subject area.

Finally, Johnson County is in a position to provide regional leadership on environmental concerns. The County should continue efforts to improve public transit options, and it should promote the use of renewable energy resources in new construction. As stormwater management projects are implemented, the County should employ standards that assure that we meet or exceed the requirements of federal clean water regulations.