Former Mayor Erik Peterson's letter to HBCC RE: Magnolia Tank Farm
Some sanity from one of our best
Subject: Tell the Coastal Commission to Pound Sand
Councilmembers,
Tuesday you have a decision to make with the tank farm project. Either let the Coastal Commission dictate our housing or deny their interference and stick with the original plan. Part of Obamas Affirmative Fair Housing Act and the State’s housing mandates that support it, is to densify suburban areas and mix in low income to promote “Fair” housing for all, in all communities. It also keeps with the environmental mandates to have walkable communities so people will not drive cars to work and their daily activities. Some people love living the big crowded urban life. I believe most of the residents of our city prefer the suburban life.
On Council, I was opposed to this project because it didn’t fit the area. The density was different from the surrounding area and the hotel had no place in the area. I was not opposed to creating another low-density neighborhood like the surrounding neighborhoods. I believe the majority of you were asked about this when you were running for office, and thought it had been settled, and opposed it. Is that still the case? You are not responsible for making developers whole on their purchases. Shopoff has an approved plan, I don’t like it but I was on the losing side. Now another unelected body is going to make you do what they want, or they will not let it in. My suggestion is to tell Shopoff to figure out another plan and vote No on more State overreach.
I know you have some financial deficiencies you need to overcome. This project will not fix them anytime soon. Development fees are one time money and property taxes are only 17 % of the total property tax. Development of the site will take years and that’s if Shopoff doesn’t sell it off in pieces like many developers do after they get land entitled. Make the right decision for the Southeast community. Vote against the Coastal Commission’s mandates.
Regards,
Erik Peterson