Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for De Soto City Council to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to De Soto residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Housing: De Soto is also in the midst of a housing boom, even as the broader Johnson County housing market remains tight and costly. Cities can do things to try and impact the cost of housing, from incentivizing affordable housing developments to tweaking zoning codes that allow for more diverse types of housing. What policies would you like your city to pursue to make housing in your city potentially more affordable?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Zack Bradley
The only two things a city has direct control of are zoning/building codes and incentives. The city has no control over material prices or market values. I will ensure we are expanding the types of housing we encourage and incentivize, especially in our Southwest Growth Area (SGA), while maintaining codes that keep the character of our city. One way of promoting an increase in housing availability for those on fixed incomes, such as retirees and disabled members of our community, is to use the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to encourage developers to build those types of homes. To be clear, LIHTC is a federally funded, state-managed program with a competitive process that will require some work to get approved.
When I was a member of the Designing De Soto workgroup, we reviewed multiple housing types that would fit in our community — especially the ‘missing middle’ between high-density adjustments and large-lot, single-family homes. Some of those that I think we should particularly focus on are increased use of accessory dwelling units, cottage courts, live-work (especially as we look to revitalize the downtown area), and multi-plex (especially in the SGA). One way to do this is with form-based codes and a move to more non-Euclidean zoning.
All of these will help to make housing more affordable and attainable.
James Doscher
Any new development coming into De Soto should be required to have a certain percentage of affordable housing. Whether this means some houses built on smaller lots, duplexes or garden homes all need to be included in the master plan for each development. I can also envision a tiny homes community for seniors wanting to downsize and for families just starting out.
Mark Gulley, Jr.
Housing affordability is a challenge throughout Johnson County, and De Soto should take a balanced, realistic approach to addressing it. I believe we can encourage more attainable housing for working families, young professionals, and seniors—but it has to be done responsibly and with long-term planning in mind.
Incentives can sometimes play a role, but they must be used carefully and only when they clearly serve the community’s interests. Any incentive should create real affordability, not just benefit a developer. De Soto already has more affordable options than many nearby cities of similar size, including new apartments and smaller single-family homes, but we can still improve by making it easier to build entry-level housing that fits our character.
I would look into zoning, permitting, and infrastructure planning as the main tools for promoting balanced growth. Streamlining the process, reducing unnecessary hurdles, and ensuring fair development standards can help keep costs down for builders and buyers without heavy reliance on subsidies.
At the same time, we need to slow down on high-density apartment growth until we’re sure our schools, roads, and utilities can support it. We don’t want to follow the path of cities like Lenexa, which have far more apartments per capita than most of Johnson County.
De Soto’s housing policy should expand opportunity for residents while preserving the community character that makes our city unique.
Joe Sabo
One of the reasons my family chose to move to De Soto was its affordability. We wanted a community where we could raise our kids and still feel financially secure. But today, rising home prices and higher interest rates have made that dream harder to reach for young families and first-time buyers.
As a city, we need to be proactive in keeping De Soto accessible for all residents — not just those who can afford top market prices. That starts by directing developers of large projects to set aside a portion of homes at affordable price points. This approach, often called inclusionary zoning, helps ensure that growth benefits everyone, not just a select few.
We can also incentivize developments that include smaller, single-story homes, smaller housing aimed for seniors, or assisted living options at reasonable prices. That way, we’re supporting both younger families getting started and older residents who want to stay in De Soto as they downsize or retire.
At the same time, we should continue and expand property tax relief programs for seniors on fixed incomes — because affordable housing isn’t just about new buyers, it’s about helping long-time residents stay in their homes.
Two nearby communities (Tonganoxie and Gardner) are focusing on affordability by builders offering homes under 2,000 square feet and under $300,000. If we truly want housing that’s affordable, we need to get back to the basics — thoughtful design, practical size, and fair pricing.
Finally, by partnering with Johnson County Housing Services and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, we can offer forgivable down payment assistance that helps families stay in their homes long-term, building stability and stronger community ties.
Affordable housing isn’t just about building more houses — it’s about keeping De Soto diverse, sustainable, and a place where people of all ages can live, work, and thrive.
