You hold the developer to the original terms of his
current contract with MCDA/CPED and the Deed that he
signed stating he would build in accordance with the
original plan he submitted and the South Whittier
Redevelopment plan. I have seen both documents. They
definitely exist and they are very specific. And yes,
the deed was signed by Scott Benson and Don Samuels.

The fact that some councilmembers chose tidbits from
the contract to make their points during the
discussion while ignoring the other requirements that
were present in the same document makes the documents
germane to the discussion and the final decision. You
can't pick and choose. Either the entire document is
valid and its terms applicable or it isn't. 

It is my understanding that a rezoning of this nature
cannot happen from a negative action (i.e. a veto) so
at some point it will need to be voted on again
somewhere in the process. Not sure where or how yet. 

Now that the Planning Staff, Planning Commission and
Zoning and Planning Committee have copies of the
contract and deed and a notebook full of other
documents they can reconsider this application for
zoning change with all the facts present. 

Both the contract and the deed allow for the sale to
be rescinded through non performance in the contract.
The city has an out if they choose to take it. The big
question is......will they have the courage to do the
right thing and enforce the terms of their own
contract and deed and support the work of the
neighborhood? 

You satisfy the goal of higher density housing on
transit corridors by encouraging the developer to
build the housing on the property that he currently
owns North of the Greenway that is adjacent to the
site of his industrial development. Both the South
Whittier Redevelopment plan and the Midtown Greenway
vision support housing development at this site. 

If he doesn't want to do that, you hand him back his
$126,000 and go out for bids to a developer who wants
to do an industrial project there. 

Barb Lickness
Whittier

=====
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world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead
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