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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Alex Muza, Resident of Windsor Terrace
3:21:58
ยท
128 sec
Alex Muza, a long-time resident of Windsor Terrace, testifies in opposition to the Arrow Linen rezoning application. He requests limiting the rezoning to 7 stories, increasing affordable housing to 40%, and urges for more community engagement regarding environmental, safety, and traffic concerns.
- Expresses concern about the impact of luxury development on the historically working-class neighborhood
- Argues that the proposed rezoning would result in a net gain of only 2 affordable housing units while potentially displacing long-time residents
- Criticizes Arrow Linen for prioritizing profits over community needs and bringing in outside lobbyists to influence the process
Alex Muza
3:21:58
Good afternoon, chair Riley, council member Hanif, and members of the city council.
3:22:02
Thank you for the time and opportunity to speak today.
3:22:05
My name is Alex.
3:22:06
I have lived in Windsor Terrace for over 21 years my entire adult life.
3:22:10
I love the neighborhood, and I'm raising my children here.
3:22:12
I'm here today to oppose the rezoning application by Arrow Linen and ask that you limit any rezoning to 7 stories and increase the mandatory inclusionary housing in their proposed development to at least 40%.
3:22:24
I also request that you use your influence to push Arrow Linen to fully engage with the community about environmental, safety, traffic concerns, and most of all, to consider the proposal for a 100% affordable housing from Catholic Charities.
3:22:38
Windsor Terrace is a proudly a historically working class neighborhood populated by city workers and retirees.
3:22:44
That includes firefighters, sanitation, and city workers like my husband, and we're getting squeezed from all sides.
3:22:50
We are all in agreement about the need for more affordable housing in this city.
3:22:54
However, this spot rezoning will accelerate luxury development in South Slope Windsor Terrace in Kensington while creating only 61 units of affordable housing and jeopardizing 59 existing units of rent stabilized housing to development and speculation.
3:23:08
If you gain 61 units but lose 59 units of existing residents, that's a net gain of 2 units of affordable housing at the cost of displacing existing constituents with long time roots in the neighborhood.
3:23:20
Where do these people go?
3:23:22
What do they do?
3:23:23
Arrow Linen stands to profit 100 of 1,000,000 of dollars from this approval.
3:23:26
They are requesting a significant exemption to the zoning logs to maximize their profits with luxury development and offering us scraps in the form of trickle down housing.
3:23:36
It was interesting to hear the additional rezoning proposals this morning where it was clear other applicants had actively engaged the community and provided for their own needs instead of just their own self interests like Arrow Linen.
3:23:47
As a regular person trying to get by, it's frustrating seeing a business with deep pockets bringing in outside lobbyists to speak on these issues.
3:23:54
These are lobbyists aligned with big real estate, and they are coming to our community meetings and maligning the people who live in Windsor Terrace who all want affordable housing for all of our neighbors.
3:24:05
Thank you so much for your time.
Kevin Riley
3:24:06
Thank you, Alex.