The housing project proposed for West Kelly Avenue may be shrinking as the Town council seemed to lean in favor of a smaller number of units at a lower height even though the zoning allows for more density.
The council met yesterday to discuss that project which has been in limbo since the County Commission voted against the original 16-unit proposal.
Because the property is owned by both the town and county, there must be an affirmative vote by both bodies.
Local residents had protested against the development saying it would ruin the character of the neighborhood.
Councilmember Jonathan Schechter said he was concerned about what he called ‘Return on Community Investment’ rather than financial return noting that he wanted a solution with a lot of community support. Schechter sought agreement on a smaller number of units.
Councilman Jim Stanford said a two-story structure was more appropriate than three stories as long as it includes enough parking.
Mayor Pete Muldoon vigorously disagreed saying he would not support anything less than 16 units.
The recently approved zoning on West Kelly would allow the lager development by right and Muldoon asked why the town would penalize themselves by not developing the property to full potential.
Some residents think that is the wrong approach.
Immigrant Resource Specialist Estella Torres, who has lived in the valley for 36 years, said that she wanted the town to look at affordable rentals instead of ownership units for lower income families and that the idea of families living in a 600 square foot apartment for 1600 dollars a month or two families living in a 2-bedroom unit was not sustainable or healthy. She said that rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the new Hidden Hollow development is 2400 dollars and that doesn’t work for families.
“Immigrant families are being squeezed at the local level on housing,” Torres said.
The council will rejoin the discussion at the next joint town and county meeting.
The council also voted to find a way forward on their housing project on King Street after they lost out on did not receive the Low- Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for which it applied. They will bring the matter forward at the next available meeting.
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