HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-24 Public Comment - N. Nakamura - Reconsider the GuthrieFrom:Natsuki Nakamura
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Reconsider the Guthrie
Date:Tuesday, March 19, 2024 8:02:06 AM
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Dear Commission,
I am writing to ask the City Commission to consider reclaiming review authority of The
Guthrie. The Guthrie has been touted as "affordable housing," but the developer has onlycommitted to having half of the units (i.e. 56 units, all 1-bedroom) to be affordable at 80%
AMI. Affordable at 80% AMI means paying $1684/month for a 1-bedroom unit, most ofwhich will be less than 400 square feet. In order for someone to be able to afford paying
$1684/month for rent without being cost-burdened, they have to be making over $32/hr (or 2people willing to share less than 400sf collectively earning $67k/yr).
In exchange for this level of "affordability," the Guthrie will not be required to provide on-site
parking. While I wish that the majority of the residents of the 111 units did not have cars, thereality is that it is still difficult to get around this city to shop, work, or access the outdoors that
people love here without a car. When I attended a recent school board meeting, I appreciatedthe thoughtful remarks of one public comment regarding what the impact of the increased
traffic of a 5-story building will have on the nearby Whittier Elementary. I believe this isimportant to consider.
While I am 100% supportive of more affordable housing and density vs sprawl, I hope to see
developments that have truly affordable housing and coordinated efforts to support non-cartransit options. I also hope that our limitations in water supply are considered in all new
developments being approved.
Thank you for your consideration,Natsuki