HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/19/2017 Item 15, Godsey
Christian, Kevin
From:Melissa Godsey <melissajenna@mac.com>
Sent:Tuesday, September
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Re: Avila Ranch Neighborhood ? ? ? ?
Members of the SLO City Council,
I’m writing—once again—to affirm my family’s support of the Avila Ranch neighborhood.
To be completely honest with you, I have nothing new to say that I already haven’t said (exhaustively), and I
respect your time and service too much to rehash those concerns and hopes over again. So this time, I want to
simply say thank you.
I want to thank each of you for the care you’ve demonstrated in considering this (and other) housing
possibilities, and the myriad other issues and concerns that pass in front of you on a daily basis. We’re grateful
for you, for your sound judgement, and for your patience in truly *hearing* each of us. I know how exhausting
that can be, and you should know that you’re appreciated.
I hope tonight’s meeting is fruitful, and affirms the hope so many families like mine have for how we can
become home-owning residents of the city we love, and devote ourselves to.
Gratefully,
Melissa
Melissa Jenna Godsey
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On Jun 19, 2017, at 11:28 PM, Melissa Godsey <melissajenna@mac.com> wrote:
Members of the SLO City Council,
Recently I wrote to the Planning Commission regarding the proposed Avila Ranch
neighborhood, but I think it’s important that I share this with you all as well.
Thanks for your time!
Melissa
El Mirador Court, San Luis Obispo
Melissa Jenna Godsey
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Melissa Godsey <melissajenna@mac.com>
Subject: Avila Ranch Neighborhood
Date: June 16, 2017 at 7:18:22 PM PDT
To: advisorybodies@slocity.org
Members of the SLO City Planning Commission,
My family and I live in Los Verdes II, and I’m writing to vigorously affirm our
support for the Avila Ranch neighborhood.
A brief overview of who we are as a family, and the demographic we represent:
I’m 33 years old, married to my husband Michael (a high school English teacher
for the past 13 years in SLCUSD), and together we have a 6 year old daughter,
and a 1 year old son. This is my 20th year living in SLO County, 13th in SLO
City. June 2016 would have marked our exit from SLO city, but due to the sheer
blessing and generosity of family-friends of ours, we rent a home in Los Verdes
II, walkable to the proposed Avila Ranch neighborhood. (Our dear friends are
renting us their property at well below market value, because they’re loving and
kind. The house next door is renting for just about twice what we’re paying, just
to put it in perspective.)
Grateful though we are, our situation is also highly discouraging. As it stands
now, rent in SLO is about $1,000 per bedroom per month, which was feasible in
college (bunk beds!), but not feasible for an average family of four, unless my
infant would stop teething and get a job already (freeloader!).
We desperately want to stay here in San Luis Obispo. Our church, my daughter’s
school, my husband's job…this is our community. Approving the Avila Ranch
neighborhood would be a significant affirmation that our city actually values
families like mine, and wants to open a doorway for us to stay. The community
has identified housing as a major city priority—now is the time to demonstrate
commitment to a responsible solution.
The housing gap is decimating our community. In the year 2016 alone, five
different families in our circle of community have moved out of state, and this
doesn't count the other families who have relocated elsewhere within the county
or California. Since 2010 we've lost nearly all of our close friends to relocation.
Neighborhoods in Colorado, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon, and Washington are
directly benefitting from an influx of hardworking, loving families from SLO.
Our loss is their gain.
A community that drives out its young families—a community that doesn't make
room for us—is a community that is atrophying. If we truly value diversity, that
must include economic and age diversity, and we must take the necessary steps
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that make it possible for all of us to thrive. Avila Ranch is a big step forward in
bringing us out of our present housing deficit, and slowing the exodus of
young families.
And now a (hopefully brief) word about the opposition.
Every time a neighborhood like Avila Ranch is proposed, you have people my
parents' and grandparents' age fighting tooth and nail against it, and it’s
maddening. The developer has worked tirelessly to address community feedback
and embrace our ideas for further improving the project, yet I hear the same
rehashed complaints from the NIMBYs. Complaints that have been addressed so
many times over, it’s shameful. Is the Avila Ranch Neighborhood PERFECT?
No. But neither am I, and neither are you, and neither are the folks nit-picking
every conceivable facet of this neighborhood; perfection is, blessedly, not a
requirement for existence.
The need for affordable housing in the city of SLO is clear; it's an inherited
problem of leadership past—a wrong that you're in the unique position of helping
to right. I challenge you to own the problem you've inherited, and hope to see you
unanimously approve the Avila Ranch neighborhood in the spirit of responsibly
and reasonably enabling all of us to find our place in the town we give so much of
ourselves to.
Melissa Jenna Godsey
El Mirador Court, San Luis Obispo
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