Revised Update to Community Meetings

*Rezoning update* After attending the last two community meetings at the Boulevard Park Library~it seems the city planners want people to know, this will happen. The comprehensive plan no one voted for WILL be changing our neighborhood, it will be Industrial designation, but they’d like to know WHAT kind of maybe Light Industrial businesses we’d like/not like to see happen there. They emphasize that the city must meet their hypothetical job opportunities quota, and it must be on our neighborhood it happens. Many concerns and questions were raised that they don’t have answers to yet, including this feels like the city punching down on a low-economic working family neighborhood because they can. The city planners are terrible at answering simple questions with simple answers. For example, it’s been asked several times if a fire destroys a home, can that owner rebuild that home. On Saturday Chaney said yes, on Tuesday she explained only if the new home has employment opportunities. Which a weird way to say, No not as a home. Because It’ll no longer be zoned for single family homes. Our existing homes will be “non-conforming “ in the new zoning change. However, the Mayor did listen and said she wants to hear concerns, questions and feedback from people living here and around this neighborhood. I’ll take her at her word. The mayor admitted she didn’t know much about this whole thing yet and was being advised by the city planners, Liz and Chaney who weren’t scheduled to be at the last meeting, but were there anyway to be seemingly running interference for the Mayor. One very interesting moment, Planner Matta jr was there (who lives in the neighborhood) but, said he’s SELLING his house rn. Said, “oh no, not because of the rezoning!” Which is just B.S. Such a great look for what they are trying to force down our throats. I do think a lot of us neighbors need to get together and talk without the planners monopolizing every single moment. I’ll be updating dates for public input and continue to door knock to let people know who might not have the means or time to already. Something the city has failed to do this far. I still think our voices and presence matters. [ Next community input opportunity is their Open House next Wednesday the 22nd (1st floor at City Hall, 3:30-5p)