Blaes traces the roots of her campaign to the controversy that erupted over development of a Home Depot store on Highland Drive at 3900 South. She was disappointed by how the council handled the issue, particularly what she viewed as the minimal opportunity for public input. She became a plaintiff in a lawsuit to overturn that zoning decision.
It was natural that Blaes would become involved in a planning issue given her academic and professional background. She holds a bachelor's degree in art and architectural history from Columbia University and is a former assistant director of the Utah Heritage Foundation, which is devoted to preserving the state's historic buildings. She is a past chair of Salt Lake City's Historic Landmark Commission.
Blaes is a professional consultant in historic property development and management of nonprofit agencies and she holds a real estate license.
Land-use planning is a core issue of her platform. She argues correctly that townships exist in the county because of the county government's history of inattention to land issues. She believes that growth and livable neighborhoods are not antithetical. She proposes to make the intent language in the county's general plans legally binding, so that planning efforts are not wasted and there is a framework for future development that respects the surrounding land equity.
Blaes would like to encourage new development to incorporate urban recreational opportunities, and she wants to facilitate transit-oriented and mixed-use developments.
She also has specific proposals for technical modifications that would strengthen the county's billboard ordinance.
More generally, she believes that the council should concentrate on broad policy issues and avoid micromanaging departmental and division budgets.
Her opponent, Republican Mark Crockett, is a management consultant by profession who helps large corporations operate more efficiently. He would bring those same skills to county government. He holds degrees from Brigham Young University and a law degree from Stanford University. He says he would not run for a second term if he could not free up $50 million in county funds to invest in valuable services.
Both candidates support ethics reforms.
Voters in District 4 have an enviable choice. We give our nod to Blaes.
