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As I have been going door to door in our neighborhoods, I have heard resident concerns about UVM’s Trinity Campus housing proposal loud and clear. As a long-time resident myself I share these concerns and wanted to share clearly my position on this matter.
As your City Councilor, I will serve the interests of our community.
I’m supportive of UVM building housing that houses more of their students and helps relieve pressures in the neighborhoods. The current proposal does not accomplish that. UVM can do better and I urge them to come back with something that serves the community, not just their institutional goals.
As your next East District City Councilor I commit to the following:
I will support a good-faith negotiation of a contract with UVM that meets these goals. As an attorney, I’m a professional negotiator and am confident that my skills will be valuable in this process as I advocate vigorously for our interests as neighbors. I will push UVM to recognize its impact and responsibility to our community. In order to agree to zoning amendments, the community should have clarity and commitment from UVM on its plan to create a net increase of student beds.
Discussion with UVM should include having a City of Burlington representative serve on the UVM Board of Trustees so that our interests are not overlooked during major decisions.
I will advocate vigorously for the Mayor’s Office, CEDO, the City Attorney’s Office, and other City departments to pursue discussions with UVM that result in more on-campus student housing and clarity on how UVM plans to be a part of the solutions we desperately need for our housing crisis and quality of life issues.
I will communicate regularly and honestly with you. Like everyone, I don’t like it when the people who are making decisions at City Hall fail to effectively communicate with the people they serve. I will do my absolute best to share updates on this and all major issues we face. I will always engage with my neighbors to get the feedback I will need in order to make good decisions. I will also never make promises that cannot be kept and encourage us all to be weary of promises that sound too good to be true.
By engaging in ongoing dialogue with UVM, we can work to ensure that the university's growth and expansion are managed in a way that is sustainable and responsible, taking into account the needs of both the student body and the wider community.
I ask for your vote this Town Meeting Day so that I can have the opportunity to serve your interests on this important issue, and all issues facing our community.