A five-story, 128-unit (with 223 bedrooms) is being planned for the corner of Shaw & Glenn on a 2.3-acre lot owned by Ed Erganian. This project, which would be next door and across the street from single-family homes, only allows one parking space per unit and 1200 square-feet of green space for residents.
 
Additionally, the developer (Upholdings LLC) plans to include on this tiny piece of land a 10,000 square foot medical clinic, Social Services office and retail space.
 
Everybody deserves a safe place to live and we are not opposed to the low-income designation of the project. But we do have many other concerns that make a project of this scale unhealthy for the residents of the project, the immediate neighborhoods adjacent to the project, and the businesses and neighborhoods near Shaw and Blackstone.
 
It is not good for the housing project residents
The location, scale and density of this project will not provide for a safe and quality living experience for the resident population.

·  It is overly congested.
·  There are no schools for kids.
·  There are no affordable grocery stores within walking distance.
·  There is only one 1260 sq. ft. “green space” area for residents to congregate and a small fenced-in play area for children. There are no public parks, play areas or green spaces in the area.
·  The one and only entrance/exit to the project is on Glenn making it difficult for emergency vehicles to respond to calls.
·  There is not enough parking - one spot for the 128 units (223 bedrooms)*. Spill-over parking across the street at the Farmers Market will encourage J-walking and create major safety issues.
·  There is an open stairwell and roof top balcony, which could pose a threat to residents with mental health issues (this project is intended to allow for a certain number of residents with mental health and substance abuse issues).

It is not good for the neighborhood
A high-density apartment complex that includes a 10,000 sq ft. health clinic and retail space is too large of a project for the area and will have negative impact on the neighborhood and surrounding area.

·  An imposing, five-story building does not fit in with current buildings in the area, and will result in noise and light pollution for nearby homes
·  Limited parking at the housing project will result in street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Most of the neighborhood streets are barely wide enough for two cars to pass, let alone when cars are parked on the street
·  All traffic will have to travel through residential streets on Glenn, Fairmont, College, etc. to get to this development, which were not designed to be major thoroughfares. 
·  The surrounding neighborhood has no sidewalks, streetlights for safe pedestrian passage.
 
It is not good for the Shaw & Blackstone area

·  Better Blackstone was intended for mixed-use, high-density projects to be ON Blackstone (not Glenn/Shaw or other residential areas)
·  Traffic is going to be a major issue. Expecting the majority of the residents to not have a car and take the bus, walk or ride bikes to work, the grocery store, etc. is magical thinking.
·  The medical facility is a full medical service that will also impact an already congested corner.  
·  The developer has not been forthcoming about if and when any studies have been done about the impact on traffic, air, shadow/light, noise and other environmental factors
·  The project mentions it will also house “retail.” The developer has not been forthcoming about what type of businesses. The quality and type of retail is of concern to the neighborhood – Check cashing? Cannabis (as reported in The Fresno Bee)?
·  The previous cannabis store between Del Mar and Glen resulted in increased traffic and loitering problems.
 
 
We want to be good neighbors and do not oppose the opportunity to offer the less advantaged a safe and welcoming place to live. But we object a project of this size and scale that cannot possibly be managed for the good of the residents or the surrounding area.
 
Being a good neighbor works both ways and we object to the way this project has been moving forward in secret, without consultation with county officials or any regard for the existing neighborhood. (County Supervisor, Steve Brandau and County Sheriff, Margaret Mims were unaware of this project until we told them about it). 
 
We hope you will join us in opposing this project by signing this petition and voicing your objection.

Thank you. Also - after you sign the petition, change.org asks if you would like to make a donation.  Please know that we are not asking for donations and that money goes to change.org and not to our cause. 

P.S.

*UPDATE: *(It was our understanding after the first community meeting that there would only be 64 parking stalls available for residents. The developer is stating now they will provide one space per unit. This change is reflected above). 

Also, it was disclosed that there will be a 1,450 square-foot, fenced in play area for children. This was not mentioned in the original petition and was added to reflect this new information.