HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-19 Public Comment - R. Siddoway - HRDC Warming Center SiteFrom:Riley Siddoway
To:Agenda; Sarah Rosenberg
Subject:HRDC shelter Option on Westridge Drive
Date:Monday, November 04, 2019 5:37:34 PM
Hello Ms. Rosenberg,
I am writing to express my concern for the proposed HRDC homeless shelter to be used in the
existing home on 3025 Westridge. This is the wrong place for this kind of a facility.
My first concern is the changing of the zoning. The R-1 zoning would have to be changedwhich sets a dangerous precedent. Residential neighborhoods should remain residential. If I
wanted to have the city change the zoning in a part of the city not designated for residential Iwould of course be denied. Yet we now face the city changing the zoning in a situation where
we have zero power to do anything about it.
My second concern is transportation to an from the home. The nearest bus station is on thecorner by Sola Cafe, over a mile away. How will the people get from point to point? The
City's own regulation says such a site has to be within 1/4 mile of a sheltered public transitstop. We of course don't want a bus stop near Westridge, Graf, or 3rd Ave.
My third concern is the two schools. This seems irresponsible given the police issues that
have happened at the HRDC shelter on Durston. Why would we chance an issue with so manychildren walking to and from school and with Morning Star Elementary so close. If any issue
happens then the City Council owns it and will have to answer to the residents affected.
This isn't about lack of compassion. It's about location. This is just the wrong location.Wouldn't a homeless shelter be better suited in near services that would assist those in need?
As one who lives very close to this proposed location, I urge the City to do the right thing and
leave the R-1 zoning in place and think very carefully about the fact that Morning StartElementary is so close. Ideas like these always sound good until something negative happens.
After something happens we as the residents have no recourse and have to live with it. HRDCshould look for another location better suited logistically to help those in need of a place to
stay.
Don't jeopardize our neighborhoods just because this seems like an easy fix to a much harderproblem. Approving this will only create more problems than it will fix.
Thank you,
Riley Siddoway