ON THE ISSUES

Access to Housing

The number of homes needed for homeownership is now 950 a year, and we are currently providing around 200 homes per year. Apartments are necessary, and we are on track with the
number of units out there.

Since I joined the Rochester City Council, we have reduced the lot size in the R-2 zoning district.
Reduced Setbacks. We have shortened the time to approve subdivisions. The City of Rochester has also approved using Tax Increment Financing (tif) for up to 125% of Area Median Income. Using the Economic Vitality funds, the City of Rochester
uses up to $20,000 per household for a fee reduction.

I have sat and listened to over eighty people on solutions to this problem. The City of Rochester is now seeing results from these actions. Read more about Rochester’s Housing Needs analysis here.

Transportation

With a growing population in Rochester comes a growing need for accessible transportation. Folks need to be able to get from point A to point B with ease and in a timely manner. Currently, nearly a quarter of all roads in Rochester are at least 50 years old and several are in poor condition, according to a presentation from Rochester Public Works.  We must work to continue to make sure that roads, bridges, trails, and other critical transportation infrastructure are in top condition to help Rochester and all of its citizens and visitors. This also includes the Link Rapid Transit Bus.