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Letter re Transit Zoning Code and Development <br /> <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, gHLG-3 <br /> expecting to work with the City on a feasible combination of new development and contd. <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 /> <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. gHLG-9 <br /> <br />