Name of candidate: Ted Nixon AIA
Position sought: Kent City Council
Election date: November 4, 2003
Previous public offices and appointments:
·President, Kent Downtown Partnership
·President, Kent Kiwanis
·Chair, Kent Downtown Design Committee
·Engineering Advisory Board, Highline Community College
·Student Council, Green River Community College
·Board Director, Greater Kent Historical Society
Additional references:
*Ted Nixon for Kent City Council web site

Please describe how your training and experience as a design professional prepares you for the position you seek.
Probably the most valuable training I've had as an architect is problem solving. It's is the ability to observe, listen, define problems, consider alternatives, develop a "shared" vision (consensus), develop a plan, execute and monitor the results. These are the tools a practicing architect uses on a daily basis.

My experience as an architect has spanned 28 years. During this time I have made presentations in front of community groups, city councils, planning commissions and hearing examiners. I have worked to resolve environmental, traffic and design issues with boards, clients, community groups, city and state agencies. I am intimately familiar with building codes, land use ordinances, growth management, architecture and urban panning.

In your jurisdiction, what issues lie ahead that will particularly interest/challenge/concern/affect architects and design professionals?
Preservation and economic growth are the two primary issues that are challenging our community today. As Boeing stated (regarding the 7E7 program but more generally economic development) our state needs to do three things:
1) improve the infrastructure (i.e. transportation),
2) improve the building permit process, and
3) lower the tax rates (including mitigation fees).
Economic growth follows the path of least resistance, or more basically the "bottom line." In 1975 permitting time would generally run two weeks; today 24 weeks is the norm. And larger projects may take one to two years. This is simply unacceptable if we really want economic growth.

Our zoning laws have become too complex and restrictive. Tax rates, traffic/school mitigation fees and other development requirements have become too burdensome in many situations. The challenge is to create development standards that do not unduly burden future projects, but do not unreasonably compromise environment and or community concerns. This is achievable.

As in many communities in the region traffic congestion is a major problem in Kent. Expanding road way systems is not the solution. Most of our growth management solutions have focused on mixed and higher density uses. Our City's Comprehensive Plan reflects these goals. However, our zoning code is outdated and often is in conflict with our comprehensive plan.

Downtown Kent is an important part of our community. The City has teamed with a developer, Langley Properties, to develop a 22 acre parcel adjacent to our historical downtown. During the next several years development will start on the project. The challenge will be to keep the new connected with the old.

How can your fellow design professionals, and the AIA, best assist you in your candidacy and service?
An organization that can field candidates who ascribe to the AIA's Code of Ethics and who can offer important input to shape economic development policy will have greater impact on legislation through the AIA PAC.
My campaign would welcome financial support to assist with campaign expenses such as mailings and yard signs.

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Meet design professionals seeking and holding elected office at the AIA Seattle Membership Conference 10/15/03 "DESIGN LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC LIFE: Architects & Design Professionals in Elected Office."