Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Here’s the letter, from the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods:
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
On March 20th City Council approved Mountain Housing Opportunities’ (MHO) proposal to build sixty affordable apartment units on the former Naval Reserve Center site. Some residents of the surrounding neighborhood were pleased with the decision. They saw MHO’s public meeting; solicitation of input from immediate neighbors; maximization of setbacks; buffering; offers to help traffic calming; the potential less desirable uses for the property; and general support of the City’s affordable housing policies as reasons to support MHO.
Others opposed MHO’s proposal. Those objections centered on the density of the project and it’s allied problems, primarily vehicular traffic and pedestrian issues. Underlying those issues were the bedrock issues of property values and the future desirability of a neighborhood the development opponents had come to love. Several neighbors have expressed opinions that the whole project was a “done deal” from day one, and that adequate deference was not given to their concerns throughout the process.
The traffic and pedestrian problems have existed for decades and City Council has failed to take comprehensive and systematic measures to alleviate those problems. Only in the last year have sidewalks linked Kimberly Av. with Merrimon Av. But the dangerous intersection at the corner of Edgewood Rd. and Long St. remains. Nothing has been done to remedy the traffic tie-ups at the Grace Station post office.
Now that Council has approved MHO’s plan, it would seem that the City should take up its responsibility to remedy the traffic and pedestrian hazards in the neighborhood. This presents Council with an opportunity to bond trust-to show that it is willing to recognize potentially unsafe problems and take corrective action. Positive and prompt follow-up would show existing neighbors of both persuasions (those who opposed and those who favored MHO’s development) and future residents of The Larchmont that the City of Asheville not only supports affordable housing, but is willing to provide the infrastructure and safety measures which will make for a more livable neighborhood for everyone.
The C.A.N. Board of directors adopted this letter at its April 12th meeting and directed that it be sent.
On behalf of the Board,
Michael N. Lewis
