CROWD DEBATES SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT.Byline: Deborah Deborah (dĕb`ōrə), in the Bible, prophetess and judge of Israel, the only woman to hold that office. Under her guidance Barak conquered Sisera and delivered Israel from the oppression of the Canaanite King Jabin. Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer Homeowners and seniors with different viewpoints packed the Sherman Sherman, city (1990 pop. 31,601), seat of Grayson co., N Tex., near the Red River; inc. 1858. Originally on a stagecoach route, it is a highway and railroad junction. Manufactures include electronic equipment, processed foods, military equipment, and metal products. Oaks Women's Club Women’s clubs first arose in the United States during the post-civil war period. As a result of increased leisure time due to modern household advances, middle class women had more time to engage in intellectual pursuits. on Monday Monday: see week. for an emotional public hearing on a four-story, 85-unit senior housing complex proposed for a neighborhood of mostly single-family sin·gle-fam·i·ly adj. Relating to or being a dwelling designed for one family only: a single-family home; single-family occupancy. homes. About 50 people attended - an unusual turnout for a normally uneventful process, said city planner Dan O'Donnell, who led the meeting. ``This was a big crowd for a local, residential project,'' said O'Donnell, who will write an advisory report to the Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle . Commissioners are scheduled to consider approving the project July 23. Most in the crowd were homeowners who fear increases in traffic and parking and decreases in their property values if the project goes through. Many said they feel that their city representative, Councilman Mike Feuer, who supports the project, has ignored their concerns. ``When there is uncertainty in a project, that lowers property values, and that is a tax, as surely as if Feuer or his aide went door to door and said we're collecting a tax to build senior housing,'' said Sherman Oaks resident Russ Meyer, 43. ``Senior citizens get a lot of visitors,'' said Bret Handson, 48. ``On holidays and weekends, this whole area's going to be flooded with cars.'' Feuer said he met with residents previously and requested changes from the project developer, the nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. Los Angeles-based Menorah menorah Multibranched candelabra used by Jews during the festival of Hanukkah. It holds nine candles (or has nine receptacles for oil). Eight of the candles stand for the eight days of Hanukkah—one is lit the first day, two the second, and so on. Housing Foundation. The project was cut from 115 to 85 units, and would include one parking space per apartment -- twice the number the city requires. Because of concerns that the four-story structure would tower over neighboring neigh·bor n. 1. One who lives near or next to another. 2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another. 3. A fellow human. 4. Used as a form of familiar address. v. homes, the front of the building would be reduced to three stories. ``I'm proud of how responsive we've been to the legitimate concerns of the neighbors,'' Feuer said. But neighbors said he still hasn't addressed their worry that 85 units is simply too many, and they'll appeal the project to the City Council if the Planning Commission approves it. ``You're supporting this project 150 percent, so you're basically telling us, have a good appeal,'' said David Rankell, representing the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association. Feuer has established two advisory councils, including one in the Valley. But that body did not hear this issue, because the panel focuses on North Hollywood and Van Nuys - not Sherman Oaks, said Sharon Meyer, Feuer's chief field deputy. A few residents said they'd rather have the senior project than a condominium condominium In modern property law, individual ownership of one dwelling unit within a multidwelling building. Unit owners have undivided ownership interest in the land and those portions of the building shared in common. complex, which was a previous proposal for the site. ``The alternative may be worse,'' said Don LeStrange, 48, of Sherman Oaks, who said condos would create even more traffic problems. Seniors pleaded with the Planning Department to approve the project, citing a shortage of senior housing in the Valley. ``We think they should put in more affordable housing for seniors, because they keep raising the rent on us,'' said Van Nuys resident Beverly A. Walter, 62, who hopes to move into the proposed housing complex. ``There's an absolute need,'' said Adele Dellins, 70, of Sherman Oaks, who has been on a waiting list at another senior housing center for two years. ``They act like old people are pariahs.'' Rankell countered that homeowners have nothing against seniors. ``We like them,'' he said. ``We want them in our neighborhood. We just don't want the density increase.'' CAPTION(S): map Map: Sherman Oaks Proposed senior citizen housing |
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