These folks don't need any help from me explaining their position. They're actually thinking instead of organizing a protest.
_____________________________________
Dear Friends,
I am scheduled for another procedure on my back tomorrow afternoon so I am not sure if I will be able to attend the meeting. I wanted to talk a minute about this decision that you have to make and address a few topics.
First and foremost, I understand that this will be a difficult item because you are going to have a full room of people vehemently against the tax credit multifamily housing. It will be easy to fold under that type of pressure and succumb to the noise of a few, forgetting the goal of the many. This is especially true now given that several of you are vying for the Mayoral seat in the upcoming election. I ask that you consider the facts and not the negative hype.
In your last meeting, you created Rowlett's Housing Finance Corporation in order to provide a tool to promote this type of development which is sorely needed in this city. You will recall that many more people than what you will see tomorrow were heavily involved in the creation of the vision for Rowlett 2020. We have all touted the need for diversifying the housing inventory in this city for numerous reasons that I don't need to go into now. The need for affordable housing for the workforce that we are striving to attract as well as seniors is paramount. These types of development, in my opinion, are vital to the long term sustainability of Rowlett, a goal which we all should support.
Specifically, this project provides not only that, but also a means for the current mobile home occupants to receive financial help in either relocating, or moving into the new development. It will be rare for this type of benefit to be provided in any other type of scenario in which the owner wishes to sell to another developer. Let's not forget the individual property owner's rights in this. We also get to remove a non-conforming use and with the new development, increase the value of the area.
You will hear that this development will lower property values. Ask for the source of that data. As a Real Estate Broker, I can tell you that is not the case. A simple web search will show you numerous studies to the contrary. For example, in June of last year, the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, concluded, "Large, dense, multi-family rental developments do not negatively impact the sales price of nearby single-family homes."
Granted, you will need to address the road condition and plans for improvement. Hopefully staff will have good information to share. Regardless, the traffic load is not 10,000 cars per 24 hour period as stated in some of the "anti-literature". I know there is a 10 year plan in place to bring all roads up to an acceptable PCI rating. The project should not be denied because we are behind in infrastructure improvements.
As you know, Evergreen is already full with a waiting list. We desperately need additional affordable senior living options now. Workforce living will help us to build the critical mass that employers are looking for in order to bring much needed jobs to the community.
Please don't buckle under the pressure you will undoubtedly feel tomorrow, especially those of you that are running for office. Please do what is right, not what is convenient. This project is needed and will help Rowlett now and in the future.
Respectfully,
Rick Sheffield
Board Member, Rowlett Housing Finance Corporation
Rowlett, TX 75088
_____________________
And
_____________________
From: Anna Knight
Subject: RE: "CHIESA ROAD PROJECT" DEBATE
Date: July 17, 2017 at 12:32:08 PM CDT
To: robbertvb@rowlett.com, tdana-bashion@rowlett.com, dbobbit@rowlett.com, bhargrave@rowlett.com, tgottel@rowlett.com, mbrown@rowlett.com
Cc: citycouncil@rowlett.com,
To City of Rowlett Council,
I have recently followed the concerns of neighboring residents of the Chiesa Road project, and followed closely Ron Miller’s blogs in which he has attempted from his perspective, to clarify the issues and concerns surrounding it. The following is my interpretation of the issues. The question - who is actually listening?
Ron's blog has a way of clarifying many of the hazy or mute points regarding the Chiesa Road project, putting into perspective the logic for building the apartments. A glaring and salient point is the fact that the trailer court was in place long before the homes in/around the location were a thought, thus negating devaluation concerns. That the builders have greatly modified their original blueprint, and taken seriously the ingress/egress of said complex seems to show they are listening to the neighborhood concerns, that speaks highly for the local residents, and should allay many concerns.
After having given years of productivity to this or other communities, Senior Citizens too often and basically become the fragile fragment of society, looked down upon by many of the younger (and not so young) generation as bothersome, or completely ignored. Sadly forgetting it is they who have built the foundation upon which they are rapidly increasing the current environment. Compassion is a word they speak, but fail to comprehend and act upon. Isn't now the time to take seriously the plight of the somewhat - if not forgotten Senior Citizens struggle to have basic living accommodations at costs commensurate with their income?
One added point for the younger generation who may not understand the plight of many Senior Citizens who grew up and worked in a completely different era, both financially and mentally. Pay checks that were then considered high, would be refused by today's workforce, The difference in cost of living then and now must be a requisite concern when considering the need for Seniors of today, just as one day, it will be for the younger people of today.
Anna Knight
Department of Defense, Retired
Rowlett Resident since 2002
___________________________
So.......where is your email to City Council?
.
_____________________________________
Dear Friends,
I am scheduled for another procedure on my back tomorrow afternoon so I am not sure if I will be able to attend the meeting. I wanted to talk a minute about this decision that you have to make and address a few topics.
First and foremost, I understand that this will be a difficult item because you are going to have a full room of people vehemently against the tax credit multifamily housing. It will be easy to fold under that type of pressure and succumb to the noise of a few, forgetting the goal of the many. This is especially true now given that several of you are vying for the Mayoral seat in the upcoming election. I ask that you consider the facts and not the negative hype.
In your last meeting, you created Rowlett's Housing Finance Corporation in order to provide a tool to promote this type of development which is sorely needed in this city. You will recall that many more people than what you will see tomorrow were heavily involved in the creation of the vision for Rowlett 2020. We have all touted the need for diversifying the housing inventory in this city for numerous reasons that I don't need to go into now. The need for affordable housing for the workforce that we are striving to attract as well as seniors is paramount. These types of development, in my opinion, are vital to the long term sustainability of Rowlett, a goal which we all should support.
Specifically, this project provides not only that, but also a means for the current mobile home occupants to receive financial help in either relocating, or moving into the new development. It will be rare for this type of benefit to be provided in any other type of scenario in which the owner wishes to sell to another developer. Let's not forget the individual property owner's rights in this. We also get to remove a non-conforming use and with the new development, increase the value of the area.
You will hear that this development will lower property values. Ask for the source of that data. As a Real Estate Broker, I can tell you that is not the case. A simple web search will show you numerous studies to the contrary. For example, in June of last year, the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, concluded, "Large, dense, multi-family rental developments do not negatively impact the sales price of nearby single-family homes."
Granted, you will need to address the road condition and plans for improvement. Hopefully staff will have good information to share. Regardless, the traffic load is not 10,000 cars per 24 hour period as stated in some of the "anti-literature". I know there is a 10 year plan in place to bring all roads up to an acceptable PCI rating. The project should not be denied because we are behind in infrastructure improvements.
As you know, Evergreen is already full with a waiting list. We desperately need additional affordable senior living options now. Workforce living will help us to build the critical mass that employers are looking for in order to bring much needed jobs to the community.
Please don't buckle under the pressure you will undoubtedly feel tomorrow, especially those of you that are running for office. Please do what is right, not what is convenient. This project is needed and will help Rowlett now and in the future.
Respectfully,
Rick Sheffield
Board Member, Rowlett Housing Finance Corporation
Rowlett, TX 75088
_____________________
And
_____________________
From: Anna Knight
Subject: RE: "CHIESA ROAD PROJECT" DEBATE
Date: July 17, 2017 at 12:32:08 PM CDT
To: robbertvb@rowlett.com, tdana-bashion@rowlett.com, dbobbit@rowlett.com, bhargrave@rowlett.com, tgottel@rowlett.com, mbrown@rowlett.com
Cc: citycouncil@rowlett.com,
To City of Rowlett Council,
I have recently followed the concerns of neighboring residents of the Chiesa Road project, and followed closely Ron Miller’s blogs in which he has attempted from his perspective, to clarify the issues and concerns surrounding it. The following is my interpretation of the issues. The question - who is actually listening?
Ron's blog has a way of clarifying many of the hazy or mute points regarding the Chiesa Road project, putting into perspective the logic for building the apartments. A glaring and salient point is the fact that the trailer court was in place long before the homes in/around the location were a thought, thus negating devaluation concerns. That the builders have greatly modified their original blueprint, and taken seriously the ingress/egress of said complex seems to show they are listening to the neighborhood concerns, that speaks highly for the local residents, and should allay many concerns.
After having given years of productivity to this or other communities, Senior Citizens too often and basically become the fragile fragment of society, looked down upon by many of the younger (and not so young) generation as bothersome, or completely ignored. Sadly forgetting it is they who have built the foundation upon which they are rapidly increasing the current environment. Compassion is a word they speak, but fail to comprehend and act upon. Isn't now the time to take seriously the plight of the somewhat - if not forgotten Senior Citizens struggle to have basic living accommodations at costs commensurate with their income?
One added point for the younger generation who may not understand the plight of many Senior Citizens who grew up and worked in a completely different era, both financially and mentally. Pay checks that were then considered high, would be refused by today's workforce, The difference in cost of living then and now must be a requisite concern when considering the need for Seniors of today, just as one day, it will be for the younger people of today.
Anna Knight
Department of Defense, Retired
Rowlett Resident since 2002
___________________________
So.......where is your email to City Council?
.
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