2024 Chanhassen City Council Candidate

Name: Nora Nashawaty

Website: votenora.com

Email address: noraforcitycouncil@gmail.com

Home community and how long have you lived in your community:

I’ve lived in Chanhassen for 14 years. I have lived in the area (five minutes to the east) since 2006.

Previous leadership experience: 

University of Minnesota Genetic Counseling Program Admissions Committee, 2022-present; Genetic Risk Evaluation and Testing (GREAT) Technology Committee, 2024; National Society of Genetic Counseling Awards Committee, 2021-22; University of Washington Diversity, Anti-Racism and Equity Committee, 2021-22; National Youth Director of the Muslim American Society, 2016-20; Sojourner Project Domestic Violence Shelter, 2015; University of Minnesota Al-Madinah Cultural Center, President, 2012-15.

In what community, state, or national organizations have you been involved?

I have been involved in advocacy and support organizations since high school. I have listed the ones I held leadership positions in within the last ten years above. I have also been involved in: Community of Belonging, Chanhassen, 2024; Local refugee support efforts, 2013-present, most recently through Building Blocks; Syrian American Medical Society, 2013-present; Islamic Relief, 2019-present; Feed My Starving Children volunteer, 2004-19; Students Organize for Syria, 2014-16.

How have you prepared to serve well in this office:

I have run large national organizations, managing teams of 10+ individuals, budgets of several hundreds of thousands of dollars, training, and programming. I know how to gather information, make decisions that benefit the overall organization/people served, manage large budgets, develop and train teams, and treat people equitably. Most importantly, I know how to listen to people’s needs and will place all of my efforts to support the residents of Chanhassen.

What do you view as the three top priorities for the City and how would you address these?

1. Housing accessibility: I will work with the City Council and city staff to increase housing options and adjust zoning to allow for more varied housing options. Chanhassen’s Strategic Plan is to build a community for a lifetime, which means that we strive to support residents from infancy until well past retirement. That implies that we create and protect housing options for the children of our residents too, especially when the price of housing has made home ownership elusive for Millennials. This extends to including options for retirees hoping to stay in this city. We also need to consider housing options for our workforce, especially considering that the City of Chanhassen is one of the largest employers here and people deserve to live where they work.

2. Safe pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure: Walkability is an increasingly important concern for residents choosing their future home cities. While some parts of our city have pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure, there is opportunity for improving it across neighborhoods. As redevelopment and new development is considered, it is important pedestrian access is prioritized.

What differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?

My goal on city council is to listen. I want to make sure every resident has the opportunity to be heard and their concerns acknowledged. I want residents to know how to engage with the council and how to access their local lawmakers. I plan to make myself accessible on a regular basis in third spaces like restaurants and coffee shops to make engagement easier and more welcoming for residents.

How would you plan to balance growth and development while maintaining the character of the city? 

I believe that Chanhassen’s charm is based in the intimate relationships we build with neighbors and businesses. As we expand the ability to move into the city, it’s important that we support efforts to increase opportunities for engagement, such as during city wide celebrations and through organizations like the local Community of Belonging.

What is your approach to managing the city’s budget and fiscal priorities?

Cities and residents have needs that must be met, and projects that can make their lives significantly better. We have to balance that with the available budgets, which means prioritizing certain projects. Our city’s aging infrastructure is a priority we must keep in mind so that we can live and thrive on good foundations, as are plans to improve housing accessibility.

What measures, if any, should the city pursue to create more affordable housing for the workforce (including young teachers, police officers, health-care workers) and for seniors on limited incomes?

I believe that we need to evaluate zoning whenever new developments are being considered. Options include allowing medium density, high density, and mixed-use developments, creating incentives for developers to build affordable housing, and converting vacant buildings into housing. It’s important to remember that City employees are also a large part of our workforce, and they deserve the option to live where they work.

What, if anything, should the city do to provide additional or improved activities, shopping, dining, recreation, and parks?

The most cost-effective option for improving activities is for Chanhassen to support existing programs and businesses in the area so that the needs of a vibrant community are met. I personally love shopping at the Farmer’s Market, spending time at Community of Belonging’s events and enjoying our beautiful parks. Some of these programs can benefit from more widespread recognition, and some might benefit from a small amount of funding, and some might benefit by learning about the resources available to them from the city.

If a competitive business climate is important to you, what should the city do to remove barriers so that businesses can move into the city and current businesses can grow?

There is already interest in our community due to the naming of Chanhassen as the best place to live in the United States in 2021. It’s important that applications for business permits be streamlined and simplified, and easier to access. We can possibly offer special incentives for the types of businesses we hope to attract, as well as support resources such as training programs and feedback opportunities for businesses.

What, if anything, should the city do to increase transparency?

Though I’ve lived here since 2010, I am newly involved in city processes. It was an intimidating task to learn how to be involved and how to access city documentation. I believe that it is the council’s role to invite residents to council meetings and commission, and to make finding the information to be discussed in future meetings more accessible online.

Where do you envision the city in the next five to 10 years?

I dream of a more inclusive, vibrant Chanhassen as soon as the next few years. I see the plans of our city’s Strategic Plan for a “Community for a Lifetime,” and it is my goal to bring that to fruition. I envision a city that will support residents in all walks of life, and give them the opportunity to thrive. More concretely, I hope to see a community center, housing and recreation options that meet resident needs, with continued growth in local businesses to meet the needs of the growing population.

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