Define ‘affordable’

Posted 12/25/24

 

Houses on the golf course has clearly become an obsession on the part of Messrs. Faber and Mauro. With no reasonable justification other than they, like dogs with a bone, refuse to listen …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Define ‘affordable’

Posted

 

Houses on the golf course has clearly become an obsession on the part of Messrs. Faber and Mauro. With no reasonable justification other than they, like dogs with a bone, refuse to listen to the majority of citizens, and simply want to win — logic be damned. Of course there is the added likelihood of profits to be made by realtors, developers and other friends and associates.

Their arguments for destroying the golf course and taking away the open space along 19th Street and San Juan for housing are pure fantasy. As evidence of the absurdity of the comments made by Mr. Faber that there would be substantial “affordable” houses on the golf course, the recently finished manufactured home one block west of the course on 19th St. is listed at $529,000 (after realtor fees, insurance and filing fees — $600,000). So, considering that $600,000 is the least anyone would need to spend on a house on the golf park, why did Mr. Faber make a point of the proximity of such expensive houses to the food bank and bus routes? Would people who can afford $600,000 be looking for those amenities? Please wake up folks — there is no possibility of inexpensive houses on that park land.

Finally, with the looming rush by the City to rezone the south end of the 100 year old golf park for view lot housing, it’s high time the citizenry act with a loud voice (as we all did last year during the multi hundred thousand dollar Public Engagement Plan) to say no to houses on the golf park. Remind them that there are many areas in the city that are more appropriate for housing (especially multi-story) that are being overlooked largely because the Mayor and Council fear backlash from wealthy constituents, many of whom are NIMBYs with little interest in developing affordable housing.

George Bush

Port Townsend