Responses from Jim Freed, candidate for City Council Municipal Ward 4
Zoning changes should be made to conform to the community standards and approval. I do not approve of blanket changes to accommodate or favor one developer or business owner. I feel that open meetings should address any zoning change with public input. I do feel certain businesses have been hamperedÊ to renovate or turned down for political reasons rather than good city business.
2. The UTA and the Wasatch Front Regional Council have proposed a streetcar or bus rapid transit system for Ogden, which would connect downtown with WSU and McKay-Dee Hospital via Harrison Blvd. The present administration favors instead a gondola line over a similar route. The administration has also proposed streetcar routes in other parts of Ogden and neighboring cities. What are your views on these competing proposals?
I have analyzed both proposals and feel the streetcar is more feasible and would enable the city to apply for federal assistance.
3. If elected, would you favor or oppose the sale of any city-owned open space along the benches for private development? Please explain.
I would oppose the sale of public parks and city owned property along the benches for private development. There are numerous areas in the central part of the city than can be developed or re-developed. I would aggressive ask the city to dispose of those properties as a priority.
4. Should you be elected, do you plan to recommend changes in the way Ogden deals with waste, recyclables, water conservation, and/or protecting our aquifers and watershed areas? If so, what changes will you recommend, and why?
I applaud the current re-cycle effort in Ogden City. I would like a study of the current water supply system and upgrade where necessary. I feel that an inventory should be accomplished and recommendations made for improvement. There has been numerous sewer repairs recently accomplished just south of the college that were never made public.
5. The current administration supports rewriting Ogden's Sensitive Area Overlay Zone ordinance in such a way as to eliminate the current ban on construction on land sloped at 30 percent or more, and to increase the density of development that is permitted on other steeply sloped lands. What are your views on these proposed changes?
The rewriting of the sensitive overlay zone should not be considered. The foothills in Ogden are the best open space for the citizens to enjoy. Living along a major fault line raises concerns about landslides and slippage. Even with geological research that would state it is safe to build I have reservations with areas in Mountain Green, Layton and Draper currently having homes being condemned from ground movement after those cities approved of site.
6. Ogden's urban and foothill trails are a valuable recreational asset for residents and an important factor in drawing visitors and businesses to Ogden. If elected, what changes (if any) would you propose to the city's trail system?
The Ogden trails are a valuable asset for the community and county. The trail markers might need some better signage, but the trail are heavily used both for both summer and winter recreation. I would try and have the city obtain either right of way or buying private properties to lock in access for future generations.
7. Do you favor designating a portion of the National Forest lands above Ogden as federally protected wilderness? Why or why not?
Since it is hard to get any wilderness designation for lands in Utah I may not favor trying to add some acreage above Ogden for wilderness designation. Since the access roads have been closed off and ATV's are no longer allowed on the foothills I would like better enforcement and fines if unauthorized vehicles are caught using the access roads.
8. The current administration has recently reduced the city's energy and carbon footprint by buying renewable energy credits and hybrid vehicles and by initiating the Fresh Air Fridays program. Do you support these programs? Would you favor expanding them? Why or why not?
I support renewable energy and hybrid vehicles for city use. When older vehicles are replaced in all departments I would agree to purchase hybrid vehicles. Fresh Air Fridays are good for public awareness and I support these programs.
9. What other environmental issues would you address if elected?
The city has a good program for storm water and marking drains that go directly into the Ogden River. I would like an inventory of all the drains and sewers so that we really know where our problems may lie and plan for the future accordingly. With the Ogden City Utilities statement it should have more information on green waste hours and availability, and also establish a permanent hazardous waste disposal site for paints, pesticides, batteries etc.
I would also like to add that in my position prior to retiring as a Program Manager for the Air Force I managed a $220M budget for the Air Force. I have experience in negotiating contracts and was able to save tax payers funds in two contracts I wrote. I also was assignedÊin Business Development Office for Hill AFB, directly working under the Air Logistic Commander.