Map tracking opposition and support of the Forestwood development plan. Created by Councilwoman Gates and her team.
Yesterday, Councilwoman Jennifer Staubach Gates took a stand against the Forestwood development proposal. In an email from Gates that was forwarded to the Advocate, she writes:
“While I cannot support the proposed plan today due to overwhelming opposition by the neighbors most affected, I do believe that the current Planned Development (PD) will not allow for future redevelopment as it is written. At this time, it is not viable for the owner to redevelop the property within current zoning. Because the PD will not allow for redevelopment, I thought it valuable to listen and work with the developers and the agencies they retained. I was hopeful that the neighborhood would come to an agreement to address the PD at this time. I believe at some point down the road this will have to be addressed. I have made my position known at this time to help guide the Daniel family in their decision to move forward and to also help ease the decisive atmosphere in the neighborhood.”
According to the email, Gates felt compelled to make a decision after she and City Plan Commissioner Margot Murphy met with a group of the neighbors closest to the property. At the meeting, which took place August 24, Gates says she “was informed that all residents within 500 feet of the property had been invited. Those in attendance shared with us their unanimous opposition to the proposed project.”
Her choice to oppose the plan was also informed by several months of emails, conversations and meetings with both our neighbors and the developers. She and her staff created the map pictured above to track opposition and support.
“Each balloon represents one household, where green indicates support and red indicates opposition,” Gates says. “Of those who reached out to my office via phone, email or mail, approximately 60 are in support and 90 are in opposition.”
Neither the City Plan Commission nor Gates has cast an official vote on the proposal – it simply hasn’t been necessary. The developers haven’t submitted a zoning change request. We do not know how they will proceed in light of Gates’ position statement. For the time being, she writes, “The Daniel family has promised me that they will continue to maintain the Forestwood Townhome community.”
