Monday, June 12, 2006

FLEMING PLAN GOES TO THE CITY COUNCIL
















Please plan to attend Tuesday night's City Hall meeting in which the development on Fleming Avenue will be voted on by the full City Council. Council members will be voting on a proposal to build 14 homes on the site of The Lord's Baptist Church. The council will be presented with two alternatives: 14 homes with a small green space or "pocket park" or 14 homes with no public green space, just homes.

Several neighbors have voiced concerns about having a park in the neighborhood due to possible problems with undesirables. That's a valid concern, but I think the benefits of a park outweigh the negatives. The strongest reason for a park, in my opinion, is that having it will pave the way for traffic calming measures on Fleming. Traffic and safety have been our number one concern since day one. The park will give the powers that be, an edge in demanding that traffic issues be dealt with quickly.

On the aesthetic side, I think having a small green space will break up what would be wall to wall homes on that side of Fleming. I would prefer that the number of homes be cut down to 10, but under the current plan, that appears to be unlikely. Another reason is that a park would give our neighborhood a focal point to help define our neck of the woods. Plus, it would be nice to have a place where neighbors could meet and discuss issues. We hope to keep the momentum of our collective efforts going after this proposal is voted on. There will surely be more developments on the way, and we need to keep fighting for our rights to a safe neighborhood.

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