HomeMy WebLinkAboutCARRIAGE HOUSE APARTMENTS - PDP - PDP120035 - REPORTS - CORRESPONDENCE-HEARING (16)Courtney Levingston
-rom: David Taylor <dave@meetdave.com>
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 12:21 PM
To: Courtney Levingston
Subject: Carriage House
Dear Ms. Levingston:
As a homeowner participating in this process since its very first step, I would like to voice once again
my strong concerns over this development as conceptually proposed. I do not oppose development. I
only ask that the developer in this case adhere to our city's laws and regulations.
NCB clearly calls for transition. In my opinion, the developer's three-story buildings, of such high
occupancy, are irreconcilable with this transition mandate. There are no three-story buildings closer
than the campus dormitories or the apartment buildings on City Park at University. And most of the
homes on Springfield are one-story ranch homes. A three-story, high -occupancy neighbor clearly
contradicts the spirit of "transition". I expect objections from the developer like, "I need three stories to
make my profitability targets," or "I can't take a two-story development to this marketplace." I feel
strongly that, if those statements are true, the developer may not have a fit with this project on this
site and should take his design and his investors elsewhere.
At this point, we are dealing only with a conceptual plan, but it appears that setbacks on the west and
south edges of the development are too short.
The dumpster is too close to the existing neighbors as well.
There is not enough parking. Few realize this, but Bennett Road is flooded with cars of parents during
the school year, shuffling children from the Bennett School. It would be unsafe for the neighborhood
to suffer dozens and dozens of additional college -student cars. I encourage the City to collaborate
with PSD and establish child safety consensus on this topic.
Compatibility with the existing neighborhood is also compromised. I could easily see a few transitional
townhomes or condominiums on this site; perhaps duplexes. But compatibility with the existing
neighbors and the character of our West Central neighborhood, all clearly cited as priorities in our city
code and our WCNP, is jeopardized by this degree of density, height and traffic. Sixteen Bennett
Road Bungalows were developed and sold in the last ten years by neighbors like me who held this
compatibility sacred. Likewise, some of the neighbors on Springfield have lived there for sixty years,
assuming the City would hold true to this virtue. It seems to me unfair and unjust to undermine this
neighborhood when better development is possible.
Very truly yours,
David Taylor, owner, 1302 Bennett Road
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