Journal & Courier Questions 2019

Peter Bunder (Married - Katy Bunder)
Age: 68
Party:Democrat
Occupation: Episcopal Priest - Campus Ministry (Retired)

Position: West Lafayette Council District #2 (Three terms)
               West Lafayette Council President 

1. What steps can West Lafayette take to continue to address its impact on climate change?

Solar panels will power the new city Wellness/Recreation Center on Kalberer Rd.  Methane turbines provide power to the water reclamation plant. Mayor John Dennis is one of 359 US mayors to sign on to the Mayor’s Climate Agreement, pledging to honor and uphold the tenets of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. In July 2017, the West Lafayette City Council unanimously supported Resolution # 10-17, affirming West Lafayette’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future. Last month we approved Resolution #12-19 to reduce carbon emissions. We have a Climate Action Plan (May 2018). I am proud to have made the Go Green Commission (2008) part of the city’s official life by ordinance. The energy of the Purdue Student Sustainability Council and of the West Lafayette High School climate strikers around climate change has moved us all. Any major city environmental initiatives (e.g. banning plastic bags) are subject to the state legislature’s policy of preemption.

1. How can the city further address development, including making housing affordable for residents and students? 
   

Our conversations on "affordable housing" usually begin and end with student housing. That's unfortunate. I have a professional interest in housing the poor. Still, the one lever on student housing costs available to the city is to increase the supply of student housing. That we have certainly done. We will be very interested to see the December 2019 Student Rental Report.  There may be further opportunities for mixed income redevelopment on the riverfront. It will be important to see how the aging housing stock south of State St. is redeveloped.  This is also a great question for Purdue University.  I helped to develop the political consensus that has given us State St. redevelopment. I pushed for the New Chauncey Land Use Plan beginning in 2009, and for Historic Preservation beginning in 2011. I am part of the steering committee for the West Lafayette Downtown Development Plan. I like the smorgasbord of housing options now available in our West Lafayette neighborhoods.