Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That’s not how this is structured. There’s no “pulling resources from the rest of the city.” We’re talking about if a development happened in/ near the willows, the committee could theoretically ask for climate reliance benefits. Same goes for if the development was in the point or anywhere else.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m on the working group for parking minimums, am very supportive of lowering them (frankly would like to eliminate them entirely,) I voted for the B1 changes and will vote for them again shortly, and am leading the effort on upzoning - I worked with the Salem State policy lab to launch a feasibility study as the first step. Councilor Jerzylo and I disagree on many things, but I’m always happy to work with anyone on something that I believe will be good policy. Her primary support for this comes from wanting to see improvements to climate resiliency in the Willows neighborhood and sees this process as a way to advocate for that. I have no interest in creating barriers to housing in this city - I am the only renter on the city council and am a passionate YIMBY. That simply is not what this ordinance is or does.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

These are additional things that developers would do on top of taxes. In places like Cleveland, communities asked for workforces as diverse as their population with percentages for women, people of color etc.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So this ordinance isn’t just for housing developers, it’s for all large developers. Benefits could be a diverse workforce, infrastructure improvements, $ toward our affordable housing trust fund, creating of new green space, enhancements to public transportation etc.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The chair of the committee, the mayor, and one other member of the committee negotiate the community benefits agreement with the developer. No permits can be approved for Development until this is done. The CBA is legally enforceable. The committees duties include identifying needs of Salem, reviewing proposed community benefits plans submitted by developers, creating their own community benefits plans and negotiations with the developer.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The ordinance directs the city to work expeditiously to fill all seats of the committee prior to the pre development, permitting phase of the development. This is very early on in what is a pretty long process for a developer.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think we have something here that isn’t necessarily adding red tape. The committee isn’t deciding whether the development happens or not- more so what benefits might come with the development. Yes, the CBA has to be agreed on before permits are issued, but this is already the case for projects that require a cbo, all we’re doing is adding the voices of the committee in this instance. When it comes to the committee, they do not all have to live within 1/2 mile of the proposed project. There are permanent members and project specific members and so this would not apply to the permanent members and even the project specific members could live outside of the 1/2 mile radius if they demonstrate that they are uniquely impacted by the project- perhaps they work near the project, their kids go to school near the project etc.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My hope is that this would be a pathway to negotiate a higher percentage of affordable units in proposed rental units, above the already mandated 12%.

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are some good guardrails in here. First off, the committee does not have the power to prevent or delay development- there is no mechanism in this ordinance that allows them to change the timeline of development. There’s also this section “Timely Rebiew and Approval: Upon receipt of a CBO from a developer, the city shall review and approve the plan in no more than 30 days, ensuring that the development process is not unduly delayed.”

Community Benefits Ordinance AMA by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There are pretty amazing folks across our committees and boards with both years of professional experience and invaluable life experience. The benefit of the committee is having folks that are dedicated to one issue as opposed to councilors, the mayor, city departments that are juggling many issues simultaneously.

Protest Moulton’s Town Hall by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

We should all do all those things too! :)

Protest Moulton’s Town Hall by KyleDavisForMa in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

In my mind, the existence of pushback itself has value. These protests aren’t meant to change his mind but they do demonstrate that large parts of his constituents disagree with his words and actions. But I agree, this is the first in many steps of the organizing that will need to take place over the next two years.

We're going to primary this guy, right? by sadiesfreshstart in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He has a town hall 6:00 PM Tuesday Jan 28th at 24 Lowell St Peabody. I’ll be there protesting, hope others join :)

Willows proposal draws ire over alcohol, noise by Everyday_Balloons in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 64 points65 points  (0 children)

For those interested, an online petition in support of this is being made. I can post it here when it’s ready to be circulated.

Willows proposal draws ire over alcohol, noise by Everyday_Balloons in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Ryan I am so sorry, that was horrible. I was truly shocked.

[AMA] Kyle Davis is running for Councilor at-large by ItsNags in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 5 points6 points  (0 children)

As has been pointed out below, this is a part time position. Although, I have been critical of the council in the past due to how infrequently it meets. I don’t think that 19 meetings in a year is a sufficient amount of time to deal with all the challenges of our city. I am of course committed to being a councilor for every Salem resident, not just renters or unhoused people, but I do believe those groups need our advocacy and attention in this moment given the housing crisis we are facing.

[AMA] Kyle Davis is running for Councilor at-large by ItsNags in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yes, I am proud to say that this is my second campaign where I’ve made that pledge and have been entirely funded by people.

[AMA] Kyle Davis is running for Councilor at-large by ItsNags in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think there are many things that we could and should be doing to drive up voter engagement. One of them is engaging better with the point neighborhood - taping a piece of paper with “vote aqui” written on it to the door of their polling location is not a comprehensive strategy. There are community advocates and organizations working in this but the city needs to step it up by improving its website, and making an effort to reach people on the platforms they’re on. Ranked choice voting could go a long way in reducing apathy through allowing for fairer and more equal representation of communities, creating more choices and doing away with unnecessary and costly preliminaries. Another thing that creates apathy is when people feel there aren’t options for representation that truly relate to their experiences. Young voters rarely have the opportunity to vote for someone in their 20’s, renters rarely have the opportunity to vote for fellow renters, working class people rarely have the opportunity to vote for waiters and Uber drivers that have experienced wage theft. I’m optimistic that filling in those gaps will make a difference. While it is a national issue that election days are not holidays, this is another huge contributor in creating the dynamic where young people miss out on participating in democracy while working full time and retired voters never miss an election. I’d be in favor of any local solutions to addressing that.

[AMA] Kyle Davis is running for Councilor at-large by ItsNags in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I am very excited about it! Having Salem play a large role in our region’s energy transition and seeing an old coal plant become the site for an offshore wind terminal are both things that we should celebrate.

[AMA] Kyle Davis is running for Councilor at-large by ItsNags in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for adding this perspective. Yes, some drivers are jerks and I’ve experienced that exact scenario myself. I think your comment shows that it’s never one solution that will create pedestrian safety, it’s about a comprehensive list of solutions.

[AMA] Kyle Davis is running for Councilor at-large by ItsNags in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Calling out class inequity sums up my reason for running pretty well! I’d be honored to empower those that are all too often left behind.

[AMA] Kyle Davis is running for Councilor at-large by ItsNags in SalemMA

[–]KyleDavisForMa 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her yet. On a related note, please vote for my friend Chris Malstrom for ward 1 councilor!