Brian Cochrane: Candidate for Council District 3
- BHCA
- May 14
- 4 min read
Why are you interested in this position?
District 3 is longing for pragmatic leadership that puts residents first and centers on transparency, open communication and daily quality of life. As a journalist, I’ve asked hard questions to get meaningful answers and effect change. As a graduate of and now facilitator for the city’s Neighborhood Leadership Program, I find solutions to specific needs and harmonize efforts to get things done. From day one, you’ll see me directly engaging with District 3 residents, community groups and neighborhood associations. I’m a connector who gets things done. This job is aboutyourneeds, not ribbon-cuttings and photo ops.
What relative experience do you have in this career field?
As a board member of the Belmont Shore Residents Association since 2020, I have devoted countless hours to understanding and raising awareness of community issues related to safety, oversight, ethics and city responsiveness. I’m an adjunct member of the BHCA and have regularly participated in yours and other community orgs’ meetings to elevate specific neighborhood needs and issues. I’ve worked with a consortium of beach-area neighborhood associations in D3 and D2 to identify common needs and elevate shared goals. I’ve partnered in and led food distributions. I’ve built ties and fostered community-centered solutions at the mayor’s annual neighborhood summits. You’ve seen, and will continue to see, me at city council and commission meetings speaking on behalf of neighborhood needs.
What are 3 changes you would like to make while in office?
First and foremost, change the dynamic so that city officials, starting with the District 3 council office, actively seek input from residents on a regular basis, and communicate district needs before they go to a council vote.
Center decision making on residents’ needs.
Initiate planning that builds immediate and long-term quality of life for those who live in the district, from changing alcohol policy on Second Street to making the Belmont Veterans Pier area a pedestrian-centered space and creating new arts and cultural experiences in our district.
What are 3 goals or main concerns you have for Belmont Heights?
Undertake a comprehensive review of street and alley surface conditions and create a clear map of priorities for repair and replacement.
Elevate walkability needs and pedestrian/bicyclist safety with clear and transparent standards and engineering policies.
Reduce daily quality of life frustrations for residents, including traffic hazards, porch pirates, noise and congestion issues.
What are your specific plans to engage with the Belmont Heights business corridors?
Belmont Heights, like my own Belmont Shore neighborhood, faces ongoing challenges balancing business needs with residential concerns. Parking, speeding and traffic, walkability, large commercial delivery trucks, noise, and aggressive advertising issues often encroach into residents’ ability to peacefully enjoy their blocks and neighborhoods. Fostering “good neighbor” incentives for businesses to engage with their most directly impacted residents is an approach I want to see across the city. Rewarding local innovators via more effective permit processes and effective enforcement prioritizes best engagement by our businesses. It’s not an either-or scenario; great neighborhoods are partnerships.
Belmont Heights has 2 historic districts. What plans or initiatives that you have been involved with or know of that will benefit our historic districts?
I’ve long tracked and advocated for the efforts of the BHCA, BPNA and Belmont Shore community organizations to not just recognize but foster long-term preservation of historic homes and corridors. I’ll seek financial incentives at the city and state levels to give local, long term homeowners the tools they need to restore and maintain their buildings. Pasadena’s Bungalow Heaven area is a model for effective advocacy and growing historic-minded communities organically. Cultural events and history telling in our own neighborhoods would be a passion project for me, with researched, living history informing daily connections among residents.
What is an innovative way you plan to involve the community in your decisions?
I’ve known BHCA board members for years as a fellow community advocate. I’ve said this at other public forums and I’ll keep saying it: Neighborhood associations are the most grounded, informed conduits for residents’ concerns and needs. As soon as I start this job, you’ll see me doing small-group listening sessions where I bring my journalist’s ear and attention to detail to asking what your needs are, and then elevating regular, ongoing dialogue to bring in all residents of each neighborhood and block. I will seek a city staff position devoted to professional outreach and community surveys that yield meaningful input. You will see me asking questions to residents, not speaking from a podium at you. I’m a listener. I take notes. I follow up, personally.
How have you engaged with the Belmont Heights Community Association in the past...and how do you plan on working with our
team in the future in a way that will help us improve our neighborhood?
I’m an adjunct member currently, and have been attending your meetings since your candidate forums in 2022. I’ve worked alongside BHCA board members on food drives and citywide issues such as the Ethics Commission’s review to label neighborhood associations as lobbyists. If the BHCA’s geography extended to my home near the pier, I’d almost certainly be a board member and advocating for the same community concerns that are shared with the BSRA and so many of our adjacent neighborhood groups. All of us having been doing the work to bring hyperlocal needs to citywide attention and elevate residents’ awareness and issues. In short, I’ll do more, and better, than the leadership we have.
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