Eric Bunch, 4th District
Read the candidate’s responses to our questionnaire below:
How can the City further encourage smaller-scale, incremental redevelopment in our neighborhoods?
Pre-approve several standard infill plans for single family, small multifamily, and even small mixed use buildings. Allow them to be built by right in most zones. Fast track building permits and bypass all plan review requirements.
In the 1940 city limits, we have half the population we used to have. Do you believe repopulating the urban core is a critical priority?
Fill in all the surface parking lots with dense housing and mixed use developments. Allow denser housing with no parking minimums.
Many developers planning to offer affordable housing are experiencing financial gaps in their capital stack, hindering their ability to proceed with construction. Kansas City has built the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help close this gap. Does the fund adequately address developers’ concerns? If not, how would you address this issue?
I believe the City should invest in housing owned and operated by community development corporations rather than focus in filling financing gaps in for-profit developer pro forma. City-owned housing should also be very strongly considered.
How do you believe the affordable housing set-aside standards have impacted new housing development? How would you increase affordable housing in Kansas City?
See above answer. I don’t believe the set aside has resulted in any meaningful affordable housing supply but we cannot rely on private developers to provide affordable housing.
Transit-oriented community (TOC) projects create compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centered around high-quality transit systems. This development approach alleviates concerns your constituents may have about accessing services and the cost of living. How would you promote and support providing transit-oriented community developments to Kansas City residents?
Dust off the city’s TOD policy and implement it. Also invest in more transit.
Crime is affecting Kansas City’s reputation on a national scale. While violent crime makes the headlines, an increase in property crime is impacting our residents and businesses. What are some specific and measurable ways with which you would address crime? (We are looking for your concrete ideas, not general positions on funding or philosophy.)
Model Omaha 360 in KCMO. I supported the ordinance that set aside $30m to do this.
If elected, what issue will define your term?
Expansion of public transit and creating vibrant, interactive public spaces.
YES/NO Questions:
Should a third-party "but-for" financial analysis be required to receive tax incentives in KC? | Yes |
Do you believe the City should be building and owning housing? | Yes |
Do you support the recent ordinances that allow ADUs and more flexible development on infill lots? | Yes |
Do you believe urban core development to be more difficult and expensive than "greenfield" development? | Yes |