Dr. Brett Cooper

What are the highlights of your current and past civic involvement including public offices held or sought?

 Collin College Board of Trustees, Place 3 (2017-2023), Volunteer teacher at Hutchins Unit State Jail in the GED and CHANGES programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, CCDP (Collin County Democratic Party)office volunteer.

​

Why are you running, and what in your past prepare you for a position on the council?
I am running to make sure that city council has a Place 5 councilman who believes in science, democracy, and the health of all residents.

​

Should Plano regulate short term rentals? Please explain your selection above with respect to short term rentals in Plano.

Yes, These STRs have been causing increasing traffic problems and recent violence. There are ways to form a model of regulation that allow people to maintain their neighborhoods while ensuring registration and appropriate locations for these business models

​

How can the city of Plano provide for more affordable housing for its residents?

I think that we need to look at both approving creative development projects that prioritize more affordable solutions, while also looking at drawing down any available state or federal funds.

​

Are you in favor of accepting HUD funding do deal with the unhoused population ?

Yes

What are your priorities in dealing with the unhoused population? What other programs do you plan to support?

We need to be very involved with, and prioritize, local organizations that know how to best serve the needs of our community better than partners who are not as invested in the success of our city. This includes providing services such as mental health care, transitional housing, employment services, etc.

Do you approve of mixed-use zoning proposals (eg Haggard farm) and what are the key reasons in support of your position?

Yes. I think these types of proposals are the way of the future for now. They provide options to live, work, and play all in one area. I think that other proposals like this, such as Legacy West, have been very successful.

 

In 2019, a group of city council members tried to defund the the Buffington Grant for the Turning Point Rape Crisis Center, do you agree to support the city's grant to Turning Point?

Yes, wholeheartedly

Do you agree to support the city of Plano’s Equal Rights Ordinance?

Yes 

​

The city of Plano recently settled a lawsuit over its development plan Plano Tomorrow. Do you agree with the direction development of the city is taking? What would you change?

I think that we need to be open to proposals that allow for smart development and thinking about what we need not just now but 20 years from now. Plano has become what it is because our previous civic leaders had the foresight to lay the groundwork for a modern city. We can maintain our values while thinking boldly for the future. I think we have to look at options besides traditional single family homes to allow for growth and continued influx of residents to our city.

What is the single greatest asset of Plano? How would you promote and preserve it?The people who live here. They are smart, they care about their community, and they are diverse.