Sloane Ave High Density Development Letter

[Richard Baker]

As a homeowner in Clifton Park I object to the high density zoning change proposed for the Irish Cottage site at 18828 Sloane Ave for several reasons:
• The city's zoning commission's continuing approval of spot high density contamination of single family zoning, concession of setbacks for the sake of density and helter skelter methods in the name of revenue will have a detrimental effect on property values of the single family homes in this area.

• The development's main entrance to the five units is located in a very dangerous location with poor visibly due to the curve and is adjacent to the intersection of Sloane Ave. Did anyone ever look at the location of this entrance in reference to the intersection and note if a vehicle leaves the drive at the same time a vehicle is making a left onto Sloane underpass? The vehicle making the left will have to stop in the oncoming traffic lane. Who did the traffic study, a body shop?

• There are no street parking spaces contiguous to this property. The site plan offers only four guest parking spaces for the five units, a travesty that will bleed guest parking onto the street in front of single family residences that are already using the spaces available.

• Additionally, with all the five units substantial increase of hard surfaces in addition to the high density units across the street, where is the storm water detention pond? How is the storm water runoff going to be handled and what effect will it have on the overburdened existing storm system?

• Is it the city and the developer's intent to stage this high density development along Sloane Ave so the developer can avoid the expense of new sewer and storm water infrastructure to handle the increased flows, thereby, increasing the problems with the existing over burdened infrastructure so city taxpayers can pick up the expense? What guarantees have been made behind closed doors between the city and any developer? Is there a master plan or have members of the council discussed developing this area with the zoning commission into high density that's not been made public?

• Lakewood's band aid planning for capital replacement and poor maintenance of the storm and sewage systems in the City does not need any increase in volume of sewage and storm water from the city's want of revenue. The "green" City of Lakewood reporting in 2010 that 91.4 million gallons of storm/sewer water were dumped into Lake Erie. Although the storm water may be separated in this case, the sewage will still be dumped into Lake Erie with the storm water. Aside from Joe Beno 's moronic excuse that the raw sewage is diluted, it still adds to the lake's algae bloom problems, contamination of the beaches and water we depend on to drink.

However, it will business will be usual for the city because the decision has already been made in Committee of the Whole to pass the ordinance. You know the one, it's the City of Lakewood's committee that abuses its intent by capitalizing on minimal publicity and public involvement in the city decisions. Sadly the ordnance only awaits the rubber stamp approval by the city council as they sit in their lofty perches looking down at the citizens, again.