The discussion on this list lately has been specifically tuned not to affordable housing, but, to supportive or transitional housing. They are significantly different. Affordable housing is simply housing that is affordable to a population with a specific income. Supportive or transitional, shelter care or whatever other label you want to place on it is the kind of housing that requires services to be provided as part of that housing.
No one has raised any issues in my neighborhood, Ventura Village or Stevens Square regarding proposals for mixed use development that includes an affordable component to the project. In fact, people in these neighborhoods have been the brainchild and biggest cheerleaders for this type of development project.
It does cause concern to read the meeting minutes from the Shelter Advisory Board and see the comments made by representatives from the Mayors office and the Council Member who happens to be the chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee encouraging them to develop a laundry list of legislative requests that would help their industry and offering assistance to ensure it's passage.
Especially, when these same people never offered to meet with any neighborhood groups to develop a laundry list of legislative requests to help our neighborhoods. We all know that the real deals aren't made on the floor during the public hearings. In most cases, the deals are made behind the scenes in the backroom and by the time the public hearings take place it's all over but the shouting. It's happened time and time and time again to us.
I hope the Planning Commission works independently to ensure that ANY Zoning changes are made with full public disclosure and review with plenty of time for input before they are carved into stone. I hope they aren't manipulated into passing legislation that has not had time for public debate and comment.
Barb Lickness/Whittier
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,
it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead
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