AUGUSTUS CHO

1.)   BIOGRAPHY:  500 WORDS OR LESS

            Born South Korea in 1958 came to US in 1968;  Moved to Triangle area in 1973.  Graduated from Sanderson HS in 1977; Graduated from UNC in 1982;  Worked in Los Angeles and New York City in marketing;  New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia (as pastor); Seoul, Korea with USFK (DOD employed through West Texas community college as instructor for military classes); retired to return to Chapel Hill so children could attend school (son graduated this year and daughter in 8^th grade).  I made commitment in Korea that on return to US I would give back to the country and community.  Served on Transportation Board since 2005, Chair – 2009; Served on Community Design Commission as commissioner;  Northern Area Task Force; Downtown Parking Study Task Force;  and now would like to serve as Mayor.

2.)  Are you in favor of economic incentives to assist in the recruitment of new industries into the Triangle? 

 No.  It not only hurts us but hurts other communities around us as each community tries to overbid the other.  Industry should come to the area because of the amenities, culture, schools, universities, parks, employment and standard -of -living.  Industries should contribute to a community instead of taking from the community.

 3.)   Do you feel that the approval process (staff, planning commission, council) for real estate projects in your jurisdiction is “user friendly?”  Are there specific ways that the system can be improved?

Chapel Hill:

1. The process could be friendlier.  It certainly has it’s negative points.
2. There should be a Uniform Development Plan that should take the guess work out of the approval process. 
3. The applicant should get an indication of  likely approval at each point in the approval process prior to spending money on survey, or data requirements for the process and then be denied after the fact.   While these types of information still may be needed, the approval should be indicated prior to engaging in contracts for these services.
4. Also, there should be a bar-code tracking system so that all parties know the exact point in the process of a pending project/application. 

4.)   To what degree do you believe that impact fees, assessment and other similar municipal charges in your jurisdiction are stunting real estate development and economic growth?

Chapel Hill: 

Impact fees discourage development and growth.  The problem usually goes back to inefficiency and lack of competence in government that creates the situation that requires the extra income.  Then, the fees are more than likely passed on to the real estate property owners in higher taxes, etc.

5.)   What do you believe is our region’s most pressing transportation issue?  What steps would you take to address this issue when in office?

Lack of regional light rail is the most pressing need.  The regional area lends itself nicely to light rail with equitable distribution of localities in the Triangle.  I would encourage regional collaboration in planning, funding and implementation of a light rail system.

6.)   Raleigh is in the final stages of updating its Comprehensive Plan, the first such update in almost 20 years.  From what you have seen of the revised plan, do you think it adequately addresses Raleigh’s growth plans for the foreseeable future?  What areas of the plan do you feel are insufficient or miss and important policy priority?

N / A