In a disappointing and puzzling move, the MLPA Zoning Committee last night voted 7 to 5 to approve the rezoning application of Opus Corporation subject to a set of conditions presented by the developers. The project, as approved by the Zoning Committee, would allow the developers to do the following:
1. Rezone land currently zoned for single family homes (R-4) for commercial use (MRC-2).
2. Clear all underbrush in the R-4 tract.
3. Cut down all trees smaller than 6 inches in the R-4 tract.
4. Construct utilities, including underground sewer lines, retention basins, etc. within the R-4 tract, activities which could kill some remaining trees.
5. Regrade the first 50 feet of the R-4 tract for construction use, parking, etc.
6. Build a parking garage the size of a football field 44 feet in the air facing Windemere Drive.
7. Build residential structures 52 feet high facing Windemere Drive.
8. Build 300 units of housing.
9. Build 60,000 square feet of retail space.
In addition, the conditions (email me for a full copy) would require Opus to permanently restrict the potentially decimated R-4 tract as "greenspace", make some traffic improvements to Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge Roads and prohibit certain kinds of businesses.
But make no mistake about it, your zoning committee, who is supposed to be protecting the Morningside neighborhood, just voted to let Opus Corporation literally destroy part of it in spite of the vigorous objections of the adjacent property owners and other Morningside residents. In fact, not one person spoke up in support of the project as it was proposed. This committee voted to approve a deeply flawed plan that would have a profoundly negative affect on the neighborhood. We just don't understand it. This project is too big, too dense and is bad for the neighborhood.
Negotiations will continue between neighbors and Opus Corporation between now and when this plan is voted on by the full MLPA Board next Monday night, January 14 at Morningside Presbyterian Church at 7:30 PM in a last ditch attempt to come up something Morningside residents can live with.
Please plan to attend that meeting and let members of the MLPA Board know what you think.
3 comments:
"Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
And after you forgive them work to have them removed from office. It is just wrong that the zoning committee is going against the wishes of residents that they are supposed to represent.
Very disappointing. There are so many things wrong with this project. I realize that this property will be redeveloped but this will be just another crappy apartment complex in 10 years. A traffic light between Rock Springs and Cheshire Bridge? What a cluster -uc-! What precedent is set when you take forest that is zoned single family residential and put up a parking deck? I really feel for the folks on Windemere and the rest of Morningside. Zoning commitee what are you thinking?
The Morningside zoning committee has a long history of favoring developers. While there are members of this committee who fight the good fight, they are outnumbered.
*Fortunately, the Board of the MLPA often recognizes this, and votes differently. So, please continue to influence those members, and show maximum presence at Monday's meeting.
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