24_03_12_1500_Batch6 Testimony - Laserfiche WebLink

We have heard opposition to reducing maximum building height in C-2 zones based on the need for more housing. We support increasing housing density while creating a reduction in maximum building height to a level that doesn’t dwarf the pedestrian experience. Creating a future where people can access their daily needs within walking distance requires that we design at a pedestrian scale. This theme has been central to neighbors’ concerns from the beginning. Sixty five foot tall buildings will provide thousands of units of housing on one of 5 corridors with some of the most far-flung C-2 zoned property. We have some of the last undeveloped C-2 zoned property along a major corridor. Without the proposed code amendments we will likely end up with the cheapest development options- storage units or used car lots. Nothing could be further from the vision expressed by our neighbors. Instead of a vibrant pedestrian commercial corridor we become the place where residents from other neighborhoods store their excess possessions and we have to wait years- maybe decades to redevelop those sites to accommodate any housing at all. We have worked diligently and in good faith for over six years to bring this plan to you for adoption. Along the way we brought you and the planning commission updates on our content progress and our public engagement. You were consistently impressed by both the breadth and depth of our content and engagement. We have done all we can to bring the vision expressed by many hundreds of neighbors to you for approval. We implore you to do your part in this collaboration and adopt the neighborhood plan, the action plan, and the code amendments in total. Sincerely, The River Road/Santa Clara neighborhood plan CAC Jon Belcher, Rick Duncan, Cameron Ewing, Jerry Finigan, Beth Gerot, Louisa de Heer, Susan Kittleson, Mary Leontovich, Ed McMahon, Kate Perle, Louie Vidmar, Hans Wittig 26