Having served his city for more than 15-years, Councilman Kevin Laird is ready to continue his work for Sun Valley.
"I think I can continue to contribute to the city of Sun Valley. I have served in various capacities since 1986," Laird said.
A 33-year resident of Sun Valley, Laird was elected to the City Council in 1989. He was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission in 1986.
"I have really taken the time to learn city government," Laird said.
Over the years he has served as council president, interim mayor, fire commissioner, police commissioner and as a commissioner on the Ketchum Area Rapid Transit board of directors. Laird holds a bachelor's degree in economics from University of Washington. He owns the Sun Valley-based Pearbody Painting Co. and is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX of Sun Valley.
"I think that my combination of interests, experience and enthusiasm in leadership helps to serve the public better," Laird said.
During his tenure, Laird said, one major accomplishment "was to help negotiate our hospital into the facility we have now. It was a lot of meetings, but it was time well spent to ensure the quality of health care in our community."
Looking forward, Laird said challenges rest in managing growth, while maintaining a sense of community.
He said a major responsibility rests with completing the comprehensive plan process, by changing zoning ordinances—although he did cast the only dissenting vote against the city's 2005 Comprehensive Plan Update this fall. He also stated the city must look to beneficially integrate the Sun Valley Co. master development plan into the city's plan. In addition, he plans to promote affordable housing by securing low-cost loans and establishing private and public collaborations.
"Our main function is to provide for the health, safety and welfare for the residents and the tourists; to do that we need quality employees. With the price of housing, it becomes more important to provide housing in some respect."
Last spring, Laird worked on the workforce housing policy adopted by Sun Valley. He voted in favor of the city's Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, which applies to new residential subdivisions and multi-family residential developments, but he abstained from voting for the Workforce Housing Linkage Ordinance.
His other top priorities include turning the city's five-acre parcel on Sun Valley Road into an essentially undeveloped multi-use park, with no housing on the rear portion.
Laird said another goal is to educate the public and to review bike-path safety issues.
