Mantra: All in the name of density | Letters | Aug. 28
Published 10:58 am Friday, August 28, 2009
Currently on Bainbridge Island, the population is decreasing and there are 31 houses, town homes, and condos for sale under $300,000. Bainbridge has an inventory of 110 condos available for sale now, with three condo sales last month – a two-year back log at least.
There are foreclosures and short sales causing stress to islanders and many sellers are choosing simply to rent their former residences. Harbor Square – one of many new condo projects on the Island in the last few years – has a significant supply of re-sales and units for rent.
The island has many existing properties that qualify as affordable housing. But, not to fear, local home sellers and landlords, your local government is coming to the rescue with a plan: a high- density “‘affordable housing” project on Ferncliff: eight houses to the acre, the despoliation of a beautiful forest in the process, and a traffic bottleneck to tie up one of the two access roads to the ferry terminal.
Government will add more competition into the housing mix, tax the already overtaxed antiquated sewer and water systems – all in the name of density. This is the same myopic approach that has given us the current tragedy in Lynnwood Center.
The Blossom Hill development required taking down a beautiful hillside of trees with the consequent negative impact on the environment; where residential and commercial structures are being built for non-existent tenants/buyers and may have to be shelved indefinitely – all in the name of density.
Across the street from the proposed Ferncliff development are another seven unsold lots for sale. So, when you can’t sell your home and find yourself overstressed trying to move, please think of your beneficent local government and its competing affordable houses – selling for $300,000 to $400,000 (they needed an exception for that price level).
And remember it’s all in the name of progress and yes, that beautiful mantra beloved by government: Density.
Isn’t that why we all moved to Bainbridge – to live right on top of each other?
Tom Golon
Bainbridge Island
