First, thank you to Mayor Wolosin for taking the time to put up the YouTube video about the housing element. It was helpful in understanding the requirements, what the city needs to accomplish, and possible ways to do that, including spreading development areas around the city. I would like to better understand how developers can be required to focus more on affordable housing over office space in some areas, how the recent downtown and other actively proposed developments have contributed to the numbers, and if there have been any surveys about what type of affordable housing would encourage non-residents who work in the city (including for the city government) to want to live in the city.
As a resident of the Willows, the mention in the video of Willows Market made me think about the livability of this area. The Market (and small commercial zones in neighborhoods) increases livability - the ability to shop or get a sandwich with a quick walk or bike ride keeps cars off the streets and lets those who can’t or don’t want to drive (or order delivery using more cars) have alternatives; it fosters a sense of community; it is a welcome to a broad neighborhood. Also, the safety impact of any changes to that area should be carefully considered given the traffic around that intersection. More generally I would like to understand how our infrastructure can respond to the various zoning changes.
I realize that not everyone will be happy, but I hope it is true from the Mayor’s comment that other considerations are being factored in beyond just the numbers game of how many units can fit on a particular parcel.
Thank you.
