A longtime Lawrence school district administrator who has concerns about city planning and a controversial smoking ban filed Friday for a spot on the Lawrence City Commission.

Tom Bracciano, division director of operations and facility planning for USD 497, became the second official candidate for one of three spots up for election this spring.

Bracciano, 45, said he planned to run a campaign that focused on long-term issues such as affordable housing, growth and planning.

At an announcement ceremony at City Hall, Bracciano described himself as a candidate who believed in managed growth.

“Development is going to come to Lawrence, it just needs to be managed,” Bracciano said. “I’m sure you can grow too fast. We just need to have planning that is five or 10 years out. We need to be in more of a planning mode than a reactionary mode.”

He also said the public should have a chance to decide the fate of Lawrence’s ban on indoor smoking in public places.

“My position on the smoking ban is that when you are going to legislate legal, social behavior, it is probably best to have the public vote on it,” Bracciano said.

A Lawrence resident since 1966, Bracciano said his 21 years working at the school district would serve him well in city government.

“Working for the school district, the last five or six years we have had to cut budgets,” he said. “I know how to work with tight budgets.”

Bracciano

He also touted experience he has gained on several community boards. He’s a member of the city’s Fire Code Review Board and the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Previously he has served on the city’s Traffic Safety Commission and the Douglas County Emergency Preparedness Board.

City Commissioners Sue Hack, David Dunfield and David Schauner all have terms that expire in April. Hack has filed for re-election. Dunfield has said he would not seek another term. Schauner has not announced his plans.

Another candidate may enter the race Monday. Former Lawrence mayor and Douglas County Commissioner Mike Amyx has scheduled a news conference that afternoon to announce his intentions. He previously has said he was seriously considering a run.

Candidates seeking any one of the three at-large seats have until noon Jan. 25 to file. If seven or more candidates file, a primary election will be March 1. The general election will be April 5.