10/12/2021
The City Council vote and remarks on Windsong Apartments:
District Rep Louis Jones spoke extensively about his experiences walking in Chic's Beach when storm waters were hip-deep. He referenced the Cap projects and that he believed the Windsong expansion will exacerbate problems in Chic's Beach. He agreed there is currently no A-36 zone west of the Lesner Bridge and approving this would set a precedent, and would change the character of the neighborhood. He noted that the community came out in hundreds to tell them that they do NOT want A-36 zoning. He made a motion to deny, which was seconded by John Moss.
Tower was in favor of the project and stated that he wasn't surprised by the volume of community opposition because people don't want change. Despite that, this project won't impact traffic and it is a storm water solution for the area. He made a motion to approve and Wooten seconded.
Abbott struggled with the decision but felt the building was unsafe and this was a solution.
Moss argued that safety should be addressed by building codes and corrected, not a reason to vote for this project. He said Council had a responsibility to listen to the community who said largely that they are opposed to it. He said the developer was asking the neighborhood to pay the price for their investments. He said the Council continues to impose things on the public that they wouldn't put in their own backyards. He said the drainage has not been validated by an engineer and staff does make mistakes like Ashville Park.
Henley: Chooses to trust staff.
Wooten: Chooses to believe Traffic Study, Staff, and feels this complies with the Comprehensive Plan.
Jim Wood: Voted against because there is no community support.
Dyer: Infill is Unavoidable "the wave of the future", the population is aging and we are running out of space. He said the developer made 26 engagements with the community, so he felt that was good reason to approve it.
Aye: Berlucchi, Abbott, Wooten, Tower, Rouse, Wilson, Dyer.
Nay: Henley, Jones, Moss, Wood.
