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Letter re Transit Zoning Code and Development <br />June 4, 2010 <br />Page 2 <br />demolition contracts and thus stopping the then - imminent demolitions. After the <br />City also revised its EIR for the pending Transit Zoning Code to add non - demolition <br />alternatives for the Lacy Neighborhood, the Friends agreed to dismiss the case, BHLG -3 <br />expecting to work with the City on a feasible combination of new development and cont'd. <br />adaptive reuse of many of the existing homes in order to retain the Lacy <br />Neighborhood's unique historic character. <br />Yet this has not yet happened. The project before you involves the same <br />demolitions that were the subject of the Friends' initial lawsuit, and more. Serious <br />legal problems remain. Although the Friends had been hopeful that the City staff <br />would acknowledge the feasibility of adaptive reuse of many of the threatened Lacy <br />Neighborhood homes while still accomplishing project objectives, the proposed <br />approvals before you do not do so. We will be providing further information to you BHLG -4 <br />on Monday regarding legal inadequacies of the proposed findings and approvals, <br />primarily based on the fact that the demolitions and future plans do not include <br />provision for adaptive reuse of any of the viable Lacy Neighborhood resources. <br />There is no question that most of the plan objectives could be accomplished without <br />demolition of all of the vintage buildings in the Lacy Neighborhood. <br />The Friends of the Lacy Historic Neighborhood have offered, for many <br />months, to work with the City on viable alternatives. We propose the following: <br />1. Of the 18 structures proposed for demolition (listed in the EIR BHLG -5 <br />on 5 -1 as 14 demolitions but several parcels have multiple structures), at <br />least 10 should either be rehabilitated in place or, if that is not feasible, <br />moved within the Lacy Neighborhood. <br />2. Regarding the purchase of an additional 20 properties (listed in <br />the EIR on 3 -6 as Potential Acquisitions): <br />BHLG -6 <br />a. There should be a moratorium on additional purchases for 3 <br />months, as these properties have not been inspected. <br />b. During the 3 month period, city staff should be directed to work <br />with the Friends and other neighborhood groups to determine disposition. BHLG -7 <br />C. At least 10 of the additional properties should be rehabilitated in <br />place or, if that is not feasible, moved within the neighborhood. BHLG -8 <br />d. The rehabilitated structures should be on 5th and 6th streets. IBHLG-9 <br />