Why me, Why now?

First, let's start with what Dayton is known for now.

​

Dayton has a rural character with farm fields and hobby farms dominating our landscape.  This will slowly change over the next 20+ years.  This upsets some, excites others, and some just recognize it as bittersweet.  I am in the latter camp.  I am very happy for the landowners who are set to capitalize on a significant asset of theirs when development comes their way.  I am excited for the things that come with growth (a shopping area, more restaurants, more local businesses, a City Center, better roads, new schools, etc.).   I am sad to see the rural character slowly disappear as it reminds me of where I grew up.  We are referred to as City people where I came from.  Ironic!

We can control what these farm fields become, but our future identity 20+ years from now is not that of a rural community.   Farming in a growing community is not easy and several things are outside of a farmers control that make it worse such as when leased land is sold for development.  If you lose 10% of your tillable acres, you lost 10% of your income stream for your business.   Each time this happens, their business is impacted.  Several tracts of land in Dayton have owners waiting for development to come to them as well.  They are not the enemy nor is the developer.   We are our own worst enemy by not being as prepared as we could have been.  

Elm Creek Park Reserve 

​

Dayton has some incredible things that will never change such as the presence of the Elm Creek Park Reserve.  This 4,900-acre park of which about 3,100 acres are in Dayton is a huge asset to the community.  It is a big part of our identity today and in my vision for the future.   

Connecting current and future neighborhoods to the Elm Creek Park Reserve and other parks in Dayton is a priority of mine.  Well-planned open spaces, community parks, and trail corridors will be part of this. 

Residential Growth 

​

Residential growth is here. Why?  Surrounding cities are becoming fully developed... who do you think is next?  It is time to face change to better address it.   Efforts need to be focused on how to manage growth and get ahead of it versus reacting to it or trying to stop it.

I am not about slowing or stopping growth unless unforeseen circumstances require it. The city is asking for unnecessary legal fights that we will lose and we will spend too much valuable time on the wrong policies if we fight against growth.  Please do not interpret this as I want to grow as fast as we can. That is far from what I am saying. I have accepted growth will occur and want to prepare our City for it.  

We have landowners willing to sell their land to developers and we are also under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council.  Did you know there have been efforts by some to grant the Metropolitan Council more authority to take over land planning activities for communities like ours?  Why?  Some communities like ours demonstrate attitudes contary to what the Metropolitan Council is promoting.  This doesn't mean I agree with the Metropolitan Council but I know what fights are worth fighting.  We can control what growth looks like better and address concerns before they arise with focused efforts on preparing for it instead of fighting it.  

At the end of 2016 there were about 1,940 households in Dayton compared to about 3,420 at the end of 2021.   We added 1,480 households in five years and these were almost all in residential subdivisions on public water/sewer lots.   Scary to think that sometime in 2023 the number of new households since the end of 2016 will outnumber the households here prior to that. What will these new households expect Dayton to become?

How do we control what residential growth looks like?   Policies that promote well planned neighborhoods in the context our overall residential development density must be at least 3 units per acre as mandated by the Metropolian Council.   There has been a lot of debate regarding lot size and side yard setbacks since my time on the planning commission.   It is my opinion and experience, residential development no matter the lot size can be designed to be attractive with 7.5 to 10 feet side yard setbacks.  The narrower the lot width, the more appropriate the 7.5 foot sideyard setback.  About 20,000 new homes have been built in the Twin Cities since 2016 that have sideyard setbacks of 7.5 to 10 feet. This doesn't mean that everyone will desire this.  I understand that.   We do need to have better policies that result in diversity of our housing stock in terms of lot size/width.  Some of the current (or recently amended) policies revolve around too much flexibility and the end result is we lose some control of obtaining diversity.  

I am working as a planning commissioner and will continue to work as a council member if elected towards implementing a residential growth management policy related to when land in the staging plan is opened up for development.  Staging plans relate to sewer availability and are required in 10-year increments by the Metropolitan Council.  The staging plan should be broken down into sub-phases with each phase representing 2 to 4 years of growth.  Accurately planning 10 years at a time is unrealistic.  For each sub-phase, a small area plan will be conducted to understand the impacts of developing this area before it is opened for development.  Property owners directly impacted and nearby will be engaged in this process.  This does not mean you have sell your land to a developer, that is everyone's choice.  This policy will help prepare the city for growth by understanding the impacts and likihood of development occurring as part of it will depend on the intentions of landowners.   This small area plan will also play a role in promoting diversity of our housing stock by identifying desired quantities of lots with various widths. I have researched and analyzed these types of small area plans in other communities as part of my career.  I hope a policy like this can be implemented before election season but if not, I will push for it as a council member if elected.  

​

Dayton Parkway from I-94 to Dayton River Road

​

Planning for the future extension of Dayton Parkway from 117th Avenue North to Dayton River Road will be a priority of mine as this too will become part of our identity.  

This will likely be constructed in 3 phases over time and could take up to 20 years before it is finished.  It will not only become the major north/south connection in the city, but it will be where the concentration of commercial uses will be or what I am going to refer to as our City Center.  By starting efforts now, we will be ahead of development affording us the opportunity to seek grants to help pay for it.  This will also help us understand how those that benefit from this should pay for this when and if their land is sold for development.  If this makes you anxious, relax, this process happens at a snail’s pace thus the need to start some efforts now. 

​

There are a lot of challenges associated with extending Dayton Parkway immediately north of 117th Avenue North and the City has yet to formulate a plan on how to address them despite this being the next area for development in our staging plan.  I do not like reacting to development proposals on matters as important as this. These items take time to figure out. We should be communicating with the property owners in this area now and working towards solutions that benefit all of Dayton well in advance of development.  We need to protect the interest of residents/businesses of Dayton and it is harder to do this at the last second.  We should also consider more industrial guided land in this area to establish more of a commercial tax base.

My primary mission if elected to City Council is to implement policies to better manage and prepare for growth that is coming over the next 20+ years. It is inevitable.   My career has prepared me well to help guide Dayton.   These policies will have short-term and long-term impacts on our taxes.   I will communicate as policies/spending decisions are debated as well as why there is a lack of action on some items.  Being patient for some things to happen is much easier when were informed on things that may have to happen first.

​

What do residents and businesses value now in Dayton?    What will they value 20 years from now?

This is a tough one.  

​

Do you live on a large farm, 10-acre hobby farm, 2.5 acre lot with private water/sewer, or a quarter acre lot with public water and sewer?

​

How do you value privacy?

​

How do you value neighborhoods and what they offer you socially or your kids?

​

Do you have kids in the public school system?

​

Are you new to the area and accustomed to shopping/entertainment options within a mile of your home?

​​

Do you value farm animals?  

​

Do you value a self-sustainable lifestyle?

​​

Do you work from home, commute to work or better yet retired?

​

Does your business rely on local customers or does it have more of a regional and beyond customer base? 

​

Will what you value today be different in 20 years?

​

The honest answer to what everyone values now and in the future is it varies for each us!   Respecting what each of us values is important.   I look forward to getting to know many of you in the coming months and letting you know more about what I value.