08-02-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Parking will be problematic. The plan calls for 72 garages (one per unit) and approximately 72 lot spots; One can reasonably expect that many of the garages will be used for storage units and the cars will be stored outside. If there are more than 2 cars per unit, which is a reasonable expectation, they will spill out into the street. Cars pe=anently parked in the street is unsafe and unsightly. No doubt the residents of the building will have guests too, adding to the congestion. The street is a no=al width, but it feels very full now any time that there are cars parked on both sides. It is not fair or safe to the existing residents to put up with this and to potentially take away parking.for their guests. In addition, emergency vehicles could be impaired with the congestion. . , There may be a strain on basic services. There are times of day when I notice a drop in water pressure. Will the addition of 72-1 00+ households in one small area make service levels sub-standard? Has any study been made to check that appropriate quantity and quality of water will be available to serve the area? The City Council, on June 7th, directed the city engineer to hire an outside consulting f= to plan water requirements for near and long-te= needs in Hastings. -' Will sidewalks now be necessary? Should the existing residents, who have lived without, now have to pay an assessment in order to satisfy this extraordinary influx of residents? Will fire and police coverage for the area be impacted? High-density housing usually also demands above average attention ITom these services. . This will have a negative impact on property values. I have been told that I can expect a 10 to 30% decrease in property value depending upon the use and execution of the project. Residents who are closest will suffer the most, those who live on non- connecting streets can expect about a 5% decline in value. If one takes the 5% figure and applies it to the surrounding 110 properties and allows an average home value of $250,000 you derive an equity loss to the neighborhood of $1,375,000. This figure is probably low, it certainly is in my case where I can expect to lose around $100,000. I'm sure my property tax will go down (sarcasm). It is not fair to transfer the hard work of long-te= residents to developers and non-residents. . The people of the area do not want this project. They see it as destructive to the neighborhood and completely undesirable., Opposition to last year's 30 unit proposal was strong, but too late. It was only good fortune that it did not happen. Opposition to this project has been even stronger based on responses I received. I have had calls ITom about 70 different households opposing this project and supporting my efforts to stop it. Many were prepared to attend the last Planning Commission meeting, but when this project was pulled ITom the agenda did not (as appropriate). Even after trying to spread the word around that the project was pulled, I talked to over 20 people in the hall to explain the situation. I hope that a good turnout will be at the meeting, that they get the word and are not put off by the 'false alarm' of the last meeting. ~