Campaign Phone
8013861111
My short-term priority is to improve communication between city and residents. As such, I would advocate for 1) regular clear updates on council actions and city projects, 2) more opportunities for public input before decisions are made, and 3) expanding digital tools and in-person forums to keep residents informed and engage. On this, my campaign motto is "Because Listening Matters."
My long-term priority is to preserve Highland's unique rural-residential feel while carefully planning for more affordable housing. This means advocating for thoughtful land use planning that maintains open space, supports smart infrastructure investments (strongly needed in Highland), and respects existing neighborhoods.
I would support limited, well-planned adjustments to.zoning that allow for mix of housing types--such as townhomes, duplexes, and smaller-family homes--while preserving the character of existing neighborhoods. I would also promote accessory dwelling units, such as basement apartments or detached units (ADUs), which can help young adults, seniors, and small families afford staying in Highland. I would work with neighboring cities, Utah County, and MAG (Mountainland Association of Governments) to develop regional strategies that distribute affordable housing more equitably and prevent overburdening any one community. Most importantly, I would work to engage with residents early in the planning process to maintain trust and listen to concerns.
In reality, Highland is close to complete build out with a current population of 22,000 and a build-out population of around 26-27,000. Additionally, Highland currently has enough commercial development for the foreseeable future. I would also resist adding more retail development outside of our current retail districts (we need to support our current retail developments).
The largest remaining major development is the so-called "Longhorn" property. For this, and other smaller developments, I would resist high-density plans that are out of character with our community and encourage lower-impact, compatible uses. I would also support funding policies that maintain trails, parks, and green corridors.
I would work to build strong relationships with neighboring cities, Utah County, MAG, and UTA as a first step in influencing decisions that affect Highland. I would be a firm advocate for Highland's priorities--preserving our rural character, protecting our open spaces, and ensuring our growth decisions do not overwhelm our infrastructure or compromise our quality of life.
Traffic congestion and road connectivity require regional planning. I'll work with UTA and neighboring cities to support responsible improvements that reduce congestion, preserve safety, and align with Highland's values.
Water usage, emergency services, and environmental preservation are regional concerns. I will seek cooperative wise solutions that we can agree on.
First, ensure Highland's growth maintains a balance with our infrastructure, water supply (critically important), and our open-space identity. I would work toward continued investment in efficient irrigation systems for our parks and public lands, promote smart landscaping and conservation efforts for residents, while supporting regional partnerships to protect and manage long-term water supplies.
I will support conservative budgeting that funds core services without seeking a bond or tax increases--we are just three years away from paying off all our existing bonds. No new bond debt.
In short, I will work to ensure Highland remains a healthy, a safe (currently rated safest city in Utah), and a beautiful place for decades to come.
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Campaign Phone
801-310-0403
My top two priorities are safer connectivity and a new community center. We need to complete Highland’s patchwork sidewalk and trail network, improve bike access, enact effective "road dieting" measures and add safe crossings—especially near schools and across Timpanogos Hwy. I’ve worked on these issues for years and know how to help get them done. I also support looking into a future community center and library expansion. It could support the Highland Arts Council, Highland Historical Society, senior programs, the Youth Council, and public meeting spaces—all self-sustaining and community-serving. With our current bond nearly paid off, we’ll soon have a chance to redirect that payment—if residents choose—toward something transformative.
The traditional approach to the issue is creating more high density housing, but we already have high density where it needs to be. The approaches I've helped the city to develop as a Planning Commissioner balance addressing the issue and not sacrificing any of the important characteristics of Highland. I support the three areas the city plans to address the state's affordable income housing mandate: allowing detached ADUs, enabling residential development in select mixed-use and commercial zones, and supporting zoning for a senior-restricted development (like Coventry) that provides higher-density housing for residents 65 and older. These measures satisfy our responsibility to affordable housing while preserving Highland’s character.
The good news is that the way the city is zoned, the growth won't be dense nor overwhelming. The state will want to come in and insist on large highway expansions to accommodate Highland's eventual build-out, but the reality is the city doesn't and won't need that, and most importantly it will encourage and increase traffic and congestion, not alleviate it. I would also protect Highland's current zoning laws so that once re-development of properties starts picking up, our low density/large lot/open space characters will not be jeopardized -- in fact, I've already been doing that as a city Planning Commissioner. As a council member, I would make sure the city stays safe from further commercial zoning, high density, and highway expansions.
Before anything can get done between cities, relationships of trust and collaboration need to be created and fostered. In the last 10 years I've seen great relationships lead to universally beneficial solutions. Recently I've seen soured relationships with another city lead to major complications and barriers to progress that may negatively effect residents. Attending neighboring city council meetings, keeping lines of communication with county officials open, and checking in with state representatives are important to keeping Highland's interests a top priority. Sometimes short-term compromises need to be made in order to keep long-term relationships healthy, but if we prioritize being good neighbors, it's always a net benefit.
A sustainable future must include measures to protect our sources and usage of PI and culinary water. It's a much more complicated issue, with larger ramifications, than most residents realize. Thankfully we have a city staff who keep that issue squarely in their sights. Another element to a sustainable future is providing an infrastructure that encourages and enables active transportation and walking. With large lots and open space, it's more difficult to accommodate walking or riding everywhere. But with a complete network of sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, and safe crossings where needed, we can shift the culture of our city towards more sustainable and healthy modes of transportation. Plus it's an amazing way to enjoy our beautiful city!
