Photo by jc_091447 on Flickr.

I’m in the process of interviewing candidates for DC Council at-large. I plan to make a scorecard comparing candidates’ positions on various key issues.

What issues should I include?

Some ideas:

  • Transit-oriented density: Do you support the plans for greater density around Metro stations in places like Brookland and Takoma?
  • Streetcars: Do you support making it a top spending priority for DC to build a comprehensive streetcar network? (Should it include something about overhead wires?)
  • Minimum parking: Do you support the parking reform proposals that would reduce or eliminate most minimum parking requirements for development?
  • Inclusionary zoning: Do you think the Council should push the Fenty administration to implement the inclusionary zoning rules as passed by the Council, without changes?
  • Roads vs. trails: Do you agree with the Council’s decision to close Klingle Road and create a hiker-biker trail? (Klingle itself is only one small fight, but it’s a good proxy for general attitudes about traffic, since we can’t really expect people to come out for demolishing the SE-SW Freeway.)

I’d like to ask something about pedestrian and bike safety and facilities, but am not sure what would be the right question.

What else? Everything should be, essentially, a yes-no question, and something on which the Council either has taken, or may soon take, a position. I’m also asking more nuanced questions, of course, but the scorecard should cover the more black-and-white issues.