GOOD NEWS
Back in the first week of August, with all of your prompt action, in just a couple days we amassed more than 130 signatures to request a “real” community discussion about the East End Master Plan (EEMP), the Community Housing Zone District (CH Zone), and the future of Diamond Ridge. Thanks to all of you for your attention and support!
BAD NEWS
On August 14, the County responded to our request for meaningful dialogue with generic quotations of policy and a request to delay a substantive reply until the end of August. On September 1, the County denied our request altogether. The County stated that the issues raised will not be discussed until the EEMP has been finalized, at a minimum, and likely until the current CH Zone has been tested by way of multiple rezoning applications.
WORSE NEWS
We know if the EEMP is passed in the current form, then making necessary changes to it—or to the problematic 20 unit/acre CH Zone itself—will be difficult if not impossible. The consequences of this high-density upzoning carte blanche (i.e. the CH Zone deemed as appropriate “anywhere”) extends far beyond Diamond Ridge, affecting any residential area categorized as low or medium density.
Whether appropriate or not, areas in or adjacent to San Bernardo, Ilium, Ski Ranches, West Meadows and Ophir, to name a few, are all in the crosshairs for fast, virtually unchallengeable high-density upzoning. Unplanned growth caused by this “CH Zone anywhere” approach is not good for the region.
WHAT IS NEXT?
There is a Planning Commission work session regarding the EEMP scheduled for Thursday, September 14 at 11:00am in Norwood. Our only means of being heard is to write letters and attend /provide public comments… that is, if permitted. Remember, at the last work session, the public was denied the opportunity for any public comment at the meeting itself. For that reason, we are requesting a new letter be signed by all who are interested directly asking the Planning Commission to remove the language allowing the CH Zone anywhere until the serious problems with the CH Zone are fixed.
WHAT ARE WE NOW REQUESTING?
- WRITE TO THE COUNTY. . .OR. . . SIGN ANOTHER ON-LINE LETTER HERE;
AND
- ATTEND THE 9/14 MEETING IN PERSON (1110 Summit Street, Norwood) or VIA ZOOM (https://zoom.us/join, Meeting ID: 965 1288 5206, Password: 534277) AND SPEAK UP!
We also ask that you forward along the link/letter to anyone you believe may be interested. The more signatures we amass, the more we truly demonstrate the will of the community on these subjects, not just the “petitioners” or the “neighbors”, as we’ve been labeled.
As before, in order to sign the letter, you will need to use an email address and verify the email address is yours to avoid spam. Also, as always, we encourage you to reach out to info@lastdollarcollective.com with questions, concerns, ideas, etc. Whether you agree with the positions stated or not, the many perspectives of our community should be heard when such an important task as a Master Plan is being tackled, so we do hope you will consider assisting with that exact effort.
LINKS
