Minutes 08/27/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-.- ~L43 TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1985 .- for these two projects should the Council authorize it. Another concern expressed was the possibility of these apartments becoming rent subsidized. Mr. Lester stated that he had no plans for a rent-subsidy program, that there were no Federal funds involved, that the project was locally financed, and that he would not construct any more units than the twelve that are almost complete until they are rented and profitable. - There were a large number of residents from the area present in opposition to this request, several of which spoke as follows: 1. Mrs. Frances Monday of 401 Forest Street, an attorney on behalf of the neighbors and who lives in the area, stated concerns about changing the atmosphere of the neighborhood from single-family to multi-family, the lack of sidewalks on Forest Street thus causing pedestrians to have to walk in the street which is narrow at certain points, the undeveloped portion of Smith Lake Road which would cause all the traffic to use Forest Street for ingress and egre~s. She stated that the apartments should not be approved until the sidewalks are constructed and the road improved. 2. Mr. W. M. Bouldin of 905 Highland Street, whose property joins Mr. Lester's property, noted that in 1977 the City had denied a request by Mr. Victor Lester for the construction of apartments in the same area because of the same reasons cited in the Planning Commission meeting and at this Council meeting, and there have not been any improvements made to Smith Lake Road since then. 3. Mr. Tom Sawyer of 718 Forest Street noted that the street is very steep in his block and that his house and car had been hit by cars and his neighbor's house on the opposite corner had been hit twice by a car. He also stated the same reasons for opposition as the others. 4. Mrs. Barbara Amos of 1002 Highland Street stated she could accept Mr. Lester's right to build, but was concerned about the number of units he was planning. The citizens have been expressing reasons why the request should not be granted and Mr. Lester has not had to give any good reasons why his request should be granted--what benefit is this going to be to the neighborhood?