Candidate Profile: Patrick Driscoll, Littleton City Council

LITTLETON, CO — Nine City Council candidates are running for Littleton's Nov. 2 municipal election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Patrick Driscoll is running for Littleton City Council.

Age: 58

Family

Brenda (wife), Katelyn, Lauren and Haley

Education

BA from St. Bonaventure, NY

Occupation

Mortgage Wholesaler and originator

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

City Council--elected in 2018

Campaign website

NA. I got 10 hits 4 years ago so I decided people it wasn't worth the effort. It's best to call and we'll have a coffee.

Why are you seeking elective office?

1. We merged the Fire Department with South Metro Fire protecting the citizens from a larger tax increase.
2. We made huge strides in letting developers, builders and new business know we’re open to all ideas and developments IF they are the highest and best use for that parcel of land.
3. When I was running for Council in 2018 the #1 concern I heard from Contractors and Homeowners was our construction permit process—it was cumbersome and took way too long. I got involved with Staff and we hired a consultant who brought-on eTackit—a software program that helps Staff monitor every permit ensuring a quick and efficient process.
4. The City Manager, Staff and City Council adopted Priority Base Budgeting. This allows the city to understand what’s most important to our Citizens.
5. In May 2018 we began the creation of the Envision Littleton Comprehensive Plan. This plan guides future development, redevelopment, and community enhancements efforts over the next 20 year. Concurrently, in November 2019, we adopted the first Transportation Master Plan.
6. Next on the plate was to update our Zoning which hadn’t been touched in 30 years. This is also known as the Unified Land Use Code. This was another huge undertaking that began in Feb. 2020, and Council is expected to adopt in Nov 2021. These two documents will guide Littleton and future Councils for many years to come.
7. 2020—The year we all want to forget. I worked closely with the City Manager, Staff and the Historic Downtown Littleton Merchants Association and together we created Weekends on Main. I believe this single act helped save many stores, bars and restaurants during the pandemic.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I don't know my opponent. I want to continue as the Council Liaison at ACC for their EMT program, and working side-by-side with Historic Downtown Littleton Merchants. I would like and see through the creation of the Downtown District Authority (or better known as a DDA). I would also like continue my work with Littleton Business Chamber, and the Tri City Homeless challenge that every city across the US is struggling with. And specifically for District 1, I want to see the old Columbine Square parcel turned into something we all can be proud of, or if the Owner continues to drag his feet, simply take the fence down, tear up the hard service and turn it back into a field.

All that being said, what gets me excited is visiting with Citizens along a sidewalk, attending HOA meetings or National Night Out and answering questions, or talking with you at the Eat, Meet and Greet. I enjoy interviewing citizens for Boards and Commissions because it shows me once again what an amazing City we live in.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Terrible. Allow the City Managers to manage. For example, the city of Trinidad, CO and population of 8,500 should not have the same rules as Denver.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

This is not a steppingstone in my political career. I have no interest in going any further than City Council. My goal is to listen to YOU and do what’s best for Littleton.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Four years ago, I ran on ‘PRO BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT Platform’. Without growth we become stagnant. Without new revenue we will struggle to deliver the services you all expect.

Envision Littleton 2040 Comprehensive says we are short 6,500 homes. I’m open to hearing from the public, developer and business that want to be part of Littleton.

We are a land locked community, so we must rely on revitalizing current spaces like our corridors. For example, the Littleton Blvd has potential for Mix Use and redevelopment.

Aspen Grove, Toll Brothers, McDonald Automotive and Evergreen Development have projects in front of the City, so as your Councilman I will listen to you, discuss, and decided if it’s the right development for that parcel of land.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Team work makes the dream work.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Today, we have seen Littleton grow into a thriving city. The word is out about how great our community is. With growth comes challenges. Since being elected 4 years ago we have dealt with those challenges head-on. Most notable I was heavily involved in Envision Littleton 2040 and the new Unified Land Use Code.

We have made tremendous progress, but there is a lot of work to do. In this election you will have a choice between an unknown candidate or Patrick Driscoll. My voting record stands on its own, and every decision I made is supported by Littleton Staff. TOGETHER WE ARE DOING WHAT’S RIGHT FOR LITTLETON AND DISTRICT 1.

A vote for Patrick Driscoll-District 1, is a vote for transparency, strong work ethic and availability to all. When the community, businesses and downtown speaks, I will be there to listen.