To the editor:
The Suzuki property affordable development is this year’s litmus test for common sense and fiduciary responsibility on the city council.
The majority on council voted to move ahead with an affordable housing development project of 100 units on public property in our Island’s conservation zone. It has the potential to leave a $1.6 million hole in our city’s general fund, not including the value of the land itself — the nearly 14-acre site would likely mean an additional taxpayer gift to Housing Resources Bainbridge of more than $5 million. And what will we gain? Perhaps another 900 daily car trips on our overcrowded roads.
While we applaud our city’s efforts to address affordable housing, we’ve grown weary of reminding our city council to put density where density belongs — in the Winslow core, according to the comprehensive plan.
How about taking the $1.6 million designated to build the disastrous 100 units on the Suzuki property to reclaim the once dedicated affordable housing units in Winslow core? Those once “affordable housing units” ended up selling for near millions of dollars. We have more than enough “affordable “ housing units in the Winslow core that need to be reclaimed as such. The Suzuki property is better left alone as a sanctuary for our dwindling wildlife.
The 100 Unit Club — comprised of Councilmembers Joe Deets, Matt Tirman, Sarah Blossom, and Leslie Schneider — has demonstrated a total lack of fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers, callous disregard for climate change-compatible investments and a striking inability to consider the welfare of all island residents when making decisions.
Not to mention: another property tax increase on the horizon? Really? How about considering the impact of that on existing island residents in your affordable housing discussions?
Our island is in need of a complete council changeover. This November, vote for consistency, fiduciary responsibility, and common sense.
Vote for Michael Pollock, Kirsten Hytopoulos, and Grayson Wildsmith.
INGRID BLOHM-HYDE
Bainbridge Island
