A strong turnout for the June general meeting was driven by a few land use concerns prompting neighbors to seek action from the BWNA Board. Residents voiced continuing frustration with demolition applications and zoning/land use division of corner lots in R5 zoned areas with requests made for BWNA to formally oppose these actions. After discussions, the BWNA and Board voted in favor of pursuing a demolition delay extension for the property at 3215 NE 42nd Avenue and also in opposition to the lot splitting proposal at 3315 NE 43rd Avenue. Other actions taken at the meeting involved official feedback to Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) regarding concerns within the City’s Comprehensive Plan on new mixed-use zoning for Fremont Street. The BWNA position is that the Fremont Neighborhood Corridor should be given a CM1 classification which, among other things, limits new development to three stories.
The meeting also highlighted recent progress and the status of BWNA’s year-long efforts (via United Neighborhoods for Reform) to change the regulations around single house demolitions and zoning code language. Support for Senate Bill 705 and ongoing dialog with Bureau of Development Services-facilitated HazMat Task Force are keeping focus on the need for more responsible demolition oversight and procedures for protecting the public’s health. Additionally, the city budget sets aside funding to support the Single Dwelling Zone Work Group, whose primary goal is rewriting code language to better reflect neighborhood compatibility for new house construction.
The recent neighborhood survey results show that land use issues remain the highest priority concern among Beaumont Wilshire residents. Overall survey results are posted on BWNA’s Web site (www.bwna.us).
Contemplating Selling Your Home?
Would you like to:
- … protect your home from being demolished?
- … preserve our neighborhood integrity?
- … pass your home on to a family that will truly enjoy it?
Please consider selling your home to a buyer who will recognize its unique characteristics and won’t demolish it!
Looking for help? Contact BWNA President John Sandie at president@bwna.us or (219) 508-4162
(Beaumont Wilshire Neighborhood Association)