HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-19 Public Comment - C. Locke - HRDC Warming Center SiteFrom:Charlene Locke
To:Sarah Rosenberg
Cc:Agenda
Subject:proposed homeless shelter on westridge drive
Date:Saturday, October 26, 2019 3:46:45 PM
Hello,
I have lived on Westridge Drive for over 20 years. I love the safe, quiet neighborhood andenjoy knowing and depending on my longtime neighbors. We all treasure living here - awalkable, bikeable location where our kids frequently play outside and walk or bike to thenearby schools. It's a supportive neighborhood where we know our neighbors. I think wehave all struggled to purchase our homes and they are our primary investment in ourfuture.
I don't think a homeless shelter should be allowed as a special use in this R-1neighborhood. It does not fit here for many reasons. I cannot imagine how 36 people canlive in one house in this neighborhood. The impact on parking would be very disruptive tothe nearby neighbors, considering the homeless people as well as the staff. The increasedtraffic such a facility would bring would also be a safety issue and very disruptive. Thestreets and neighborhoods in several subdivisions would be impacted. 3025 Westridge isvery close to Morning Star and Sacajawea Schools. Safety must be taken into account, withall that additional traffic plus the continual turnover/transient nature of the residents. Recognize that there will be much activity outside the house, with people coming and goingas well as smoking/socializing outdoors.
I do understand the need for sheltering folks, but this location is not the right fit for such afacility. Such a facility needs to be in a place that is not in close proximity to 2 schools; aplace that has adequate parking available; a place that is within 1/4 mile of a shelteredpublic transit stop; a place where the neighbors won't be impacted by safety issues, noise,smoking, commotion, problems with upkeep of the house and yard, police responding toproblems, a place that planners have already zoned for use by such a facility.
I beg each of you to ask yourselves how you would address this issue if the shelter wasproposed on your street, next door to your house. Think about it. An indefinite special usepermit, to shelter 36 people plus staff, in a single family neighborhood......it doesn't makesense in the proposed location. Please respect our neighborhood.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,Charlene Locke