“man”, and we won! Well, we got
a short extension.
A few weeks ago
we found the land behind ours
could possibly change
Instead of single
homes, they wanted to change the
zoning: apartments.
Two large apartment
buildings would be placed twenty-
five feet from our yard.
“Oh hell no!” we cried
and went to the meeting to
voice our discontent
We were not alone.
Others complained about the
trouble it would bring.
The committee heard
us, and tabled the vote for
further discussion.
When we found out the developer who owns the land directly behind us wanted to change the zoning from single-family homes to apartments, we were furious, but also felt helpless. How could we stop it? But anger won out, and I decided we needed to go to this zoning meeting, voice our concerns, and ask them to deny the request. I was terrified, to be honest.
Good thing we went. After hearing our complaints, plus the complaints from others bordering the property, the committee told the developer that the request needed to be tabled until our complaints could be addresses and some compromise could be reached. We spoke with the developer afterward, and despite some loud arguing from some of those involved, it was decided that we would schedule a meeting to try to discuss alternatives that would make everyone happy.
This also gives us time to mobilize other neighbors who would be affected, too. The developer had assured those surrounding the property that it would only build single-family homes when it first started. If everyone surrounding the property refuses to allow apartments, I’d imagine we can block this rezoning from happening entirely. It’s possible we’ll find a compromise, but any attempt to put large 12 unit apartment buildings directly behind my backyard will be met with fierce resistance. And after our “win” tonight, I’m feeling completely energized and ready to rally the neighborhood to make sure our properties are protected.
Lesson learned: Stand up for yourself, your family and your home, or you let someone else choose your future.
To play along for Haiku Friday, follow these steps:
1. Write your own haiku on your blog. You can do one or many, all following a theme or just random. What’s a haiku, you ask? Click here.
2. Sign the Mister Linky below with your name and the link to your haiku post (the specific post URL, not your main blog URL). DON’T sign unless you have a haiku this week. If you need help with this, please let me know.
3. Pick up a Haiku Friday button to display on the post or in your sidebar by clicking the button at the top.
REMEMBER: Do not post your link unless you have a haiku this week! I will delete any links without haiku!
AWESOME!
Good for you for speaking up. Maybe they can build townhouse condominiums instead? They are only as tall as a house, except they are connected.
Keep us posted on how your fight goes.
Brilliant! I’m so glad that (so far) your voices have been heard. I wouldn’t say this is a small victory.
Yay for you, and good luck!
I see Karen has already said this but… Good for you! I love to hear when the system of being able to protest things like this works the way it should.
You go! That’s awesome. I would hate to have an apartment building in my back yard. Scary.
BTW, I always forget to comment on your ‘kus…sorry. I love the new look.
Good job for speaking up. We’ve been on the losing end of those battles, but we did get some things modified, which was ok. Better than nothing. We got them to leave a huge greenbelt/bike path between types of development and that is really cool, actually. So everyone was happy(ish).
Yo go girl! You have to speak up on stuff like that or they will just do what they want. Good job.
fight the power, sister.
I’m back haikuing! (It is so a word!)
good for you!
Ooh! I love kicking the man’s butt! Good for you guys.
The area behind our home is supposedly slated for upper end retirement villas, but in this economy I could easily see the developer changing his idea for a cheaper building idea.
Here’s to the good fight!
I’m just surprised there’s somewhere in this country that people are actually building something.
Glad you’re speaking up for what you believe in.
GO YOU! You’re right, if we don’t take a stance, someone will make the choice for us.
Good luck!
I hope that you don’t get those apartments behind you!
Congrats!!!
Maybe your comprise could be some sort of free standing condo development like mine? Due to the housing/banking issue, we now have people renting their condos out because they can’t sell them, but since we have an HOA, renting our properties has a lot of rules to follow that wouldn’t be an issue with a typical apartment building.
Well done! I hope it all works out for you! 🙂
Way to be a fighter!
oh my god. when did it become friday. er. i mean. uh. saturday? ALREADY? this week FLEW.
I hope it works out for you! BTW, every time I click over to your blog from my reader I go “oooh” in my head over your new design.
Congrats – whoo!
And meanwhile, who the hell is developing real estate in this market?