HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2015 PH2 Gilmore (2)Lomeli, Monique
From: Taylor Gilmore <taylorgilmoreslo @gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2015 10:55 PM
To: Christianson, Carlyn; Carpenter, Dan; Rivoire, Dan; Marx, Jan; Ashbaugh, John; Mejia,
Anthony
Subject: 323/353 Grand Avenue Project
City Council Members,
I am baffled that the project at 323/353 Grand Avenue is being considered, let alone approved! Zoning is
supposed to protect individual property owners against the effects of "spillovers" or negative externalities that
adversely affect their property. The value of a "home" in a residential neighborhood provides continuity and
security. Understandably, people tend to be especially sensitive when the use and enjoyment of their home is
threatened.
The Alta Vista, R -1 low density, single - family neighborhood is made up of parks, churches and an elementary
school. Its residents include many long -term residents who are retired and newer residents who are raising
their families. The residents appreciate the quiet enjoyment and neighborliness that comes with an R -1 single -
family, residential neighborhood. These features make up the "character" of the neighborhood.
These values may not be widely shared by people who have never lived in the neighborhood but for the
residents, enjoying the use of these resources is precisely what it means to live here. They want to protect the
collective resources of the neighborhood that they care about most. These values are priceless.
Zoning is a device that protects a neighborhood from encroachments by land uses inconsistent with its
character. When it is circumvented by loopholes that allow development inconsistent with the existing R -1
single - family residential neighborhood, it is traumatic for the residents who expected to live in precisely what
they purchased: a home in an R -1, low density, single - family neighborhood with mostly large lots and where
small lots have correspondingly small homes. If you allow for more intensive uses, the neighborhood is taking
steps toward becoming something other than the neighborhood where the homeowners chose to live.
The proposed development at 323/325 Grand Avenue is an abomination to the existing R -1 low density,
single - family neighborhood. In fact, the density is more in line with R -3 high density! I am unsure how the
Community Development Department allowed this to happen but is should not have been possible. Zoning is
aimed at preventing precisely these kinds of changes in the use of property that are disruptive to
a neighborhood's character because they are inconsistent with its use.
Please reject this project. If this developer wants to build dense housing, he should purchase property zoned
for that purpose. It is ludicrous to allow high density in this low density neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Taylor Gilmore Erchov
JUN 0 2 2015
COUNCIL MEETING o- XIS
ITEM NO.: 'P �