Mayor’s Minutes - May 15th, 2025 - Bonus: Why Growth?

We’ve got a bonus Mayor’s Minute this week — and it’s a little different than the usual Council recap.

In this episode, Mayor Walker talks about a topic that’s on a lot of people’s minds: growth in De Soto. Tune in to hear why it’s happening, what it means for our community, and how the City is planning for the future.

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Hi, everyone.
Mayor Rick Walker here, with a quick update.
And today I want to talk about something that's been on a lot of people's minds it's growth in De Soto.
I've heard the questions and they're fair.
.666666667Why would we want to grow? Why do we want De Soto to grow? Is growth really going to make De Soto a better place to live? And who even asked for all this anyways? Well, let me start by saying, I hear you. 6 00:00:27,826.666666667 --> 00:00:28,846.666666667 Change is hard. 7 00:00:29,191.666666667 --> 00:00:34,561.666666667 Especially when it feels like it's happening fast and being driven by forces that are outside our control. 8 00:00:35,191.666666667 --> 00:00:37,711.666666667 Most of us didn't move here for big city buzz. 9 00:00:37,771.666666667 --> 00:00:46,231.666666667 We came, or we're staying, because we value the small town feel and none of us asked for traffic, construction, or the pressures that come with rapid development. 10 00:00:47,221.666666667 --> 00:00:50,71.666666667 But growth doesn't wait for a permission slip. 11 00:00:50,191.666666667 --> 00:00:51,1.666666667 It shows up. 12 00:00:51,1.666666667 --> 00:00:54,751.666666667 And the question is, what do we do with it? Well, we chose to guide it. 13 00:00:55,171.666666667 --> 00:00:57,751.666666667 We're not just reacting to growth, we're trying to shape it. 14 00:00:58,96.666666667 --> 00:00:59,686.666666667 And we're doing so with purpose. 15 00:00:59,956.666666667 --> 00:01:03,586.666666667 That's why we're having conversations about things like 50-foot lots. 16 00:01:03,586.666666667 --> 00:01:18,526.666666667 Not because we wanna squeeze people in, but because we want to make sure that everyone who wants to live in De Soto, young families, empty nesters, teachers, first responders, and senior citizens that want to move up to a smaller place, have an opportunity to do so. 17 00:01:19,66.666666667 --> 00:01:21,946.666666667 Narrower lots are just one tool in the toolbox. 18 00:01:21,946.666666667 --> 00:01:24,76.666666667 They allow for more attainable housing. 19 00:01:24,676.666666667 --> 00:01:31,786.666666667 They make neighborhoods more walkable and reduce the cost of infrastructure, saving that benefit for the entire community. 20 00:01:32,26.666666667 --> 00:01:35,576.666666667 And when well-planned, they still look and feel like De Soto. 21 00:01:35,896.666666667 --> 00:01:48,836.66666667 So this isn't about changing who we are, it's about preserving who we are by making sure that the people who are De Soto, can afford to stay here, live here, work here, and raise their families here now and in the future. 22 00:01:49,466.66666667 --> 00:01:51,596.66666667 So, no, we didn't ask for this growth. 23 00:01:52,283.33333333 --> 00:02:02,753.33333333 But we do get to decide how it plays out, and I am committed to making sure that it's done in a way that reflects our values, that it supports our residents, and it strengthens our community. 24 00:02:03,53.33333333 --> 00:02:08,993.33333333 Thanks for tuning in, and as always, if you've got thoughts or questions, or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. 25 00:02:09,143.33333333 --> 00:02:10,853.33333333 Let's keep the conversation going. 26 00:02:11,483.33333333 --> 00:02:13,823.33333333 Until next time, I'll see you around town.