Robin Cape

Occupation: musician, business and property owner
Party affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Four years on Asheville City Council, two years on Woodfin Water Board
Endorsements: Sierra Club

Robin Cape

1) How much money have you raised for your campaign, and who are your top three donors and how much did each give?

Total: $13,000 in cash and $3,500 in-kind
Top three: Mack Pearsall, $2,000; Janice Pearsall, $2,000; Sheri Kahn, $1,000

2) What resolution would you like to see for the I-26 connector?

I support 4B as the best choice for our community but recognize that there are problems with the design that must be remedied to make this proposal meet the original intent. A redesigned 4B incorporates elements that in the long run makes 1-26 a community asset, not a liability.

3) What is the best route for addressing the city's homelessness problem?

The 10-year plan to end homelessness is making an impact and should be continued. As a member of the City's Housing and Community Development Committee I have supported the coordination of these efforts across service providers for better effectiveness. Recently, AARA funds were directed to reduce further homelessness.

4) Should height limits be implemented for new construction in the city? Why or why not?

The downtown master plan discussed this issue in length and has recommendations for height limits in different areas of downtown. The adoption and implementation of the downtown master plan can provide the assurance for property owners and community residents alike by codifying these rules for development in downtown.

5) What oversight should Council delegate to other boards/commissions with the adoption of the Downtown Master Plan?

I support the recommendations in the master plan that allow projects that meet all the requirements and criteria that the community has agreed would be good for downtown to bypass the lengthy and expensive Council-review process. Any project that does not meet these criteria should be reviewed by Council.

6) Should Council reconsider a development buffer around Pack Square Park? Why or why not?

A development buffer around Pack Square is a mechanism for ensuring that the park and the surrounding business and property owners are protected from future projects that would devalue or overshadow those properties. It would not prohibit development but place an opportunity for review over projects in that area.

7) Should Asheville be allowed to increase or dedicate part of its room tax to make infrastructure improvements? Why or why not?

I think an increase in the room tax to be used for local capital improvements to city infrastructure would be a valuable and reasonable use of room tax and meet the standards set for this tax. We would need the support of state legislators to get this option.

8) What associations or business dealings would cause you to ask to be recused for conflict of interest if they came up in Council deliberation?

I own property in downtown Weaverville and am not currently doing any business that would be affected by city decisions. Should the city contract with any company or project that I would be consulting with, I would recuse myself from those deliberations.

9) What question would you like to ask to any other candidate and to whom would you ask it?

I think that the candidates are utilizing public forums and their campaign PR to tell the community what they believe important community issues are and how they would like to address those issues. I do not have any other questions to ask of them.

10) Which other candidates will you be voting for?

As a private citizen I retain my right of privacy for my personal voting choices.