To the editor:

A few weeks ago, Mark Blatter, Housing Resources Board, wrote an opinion article about more affordable housing on Bainbridge Island (Aug. 22, Bainbridge Review).

First of all, Mr. Blatter is a master of the “bait and switch” program. He shows you pictures of well built, nicely landscaped affordable housing and then builds the boxy, no style, no garage, one lane, poorly landscape houses like those on Ferncliff Avenue.

When the North Town Woods neighborhood was developed, 20 percent of the houses were designed and built as affordable housing. They sold for $260,000 and had low interest financing. They were built in the craftsman style with nice landscaping, two car garages and on a two-lane road. Drive through that community now and you’ll hardly notice them. Homeowners include both local teachers and firemen.

Blatter wants a special deal from the city of Bainbridge Island so he can build his low income housing on the Suzuki property, a 14-acre site the city owns and has declared surplus. State and federal law requires that the city sell this property at fair market value, so no special deals for the Housing Resources Board or anyone else.

If the city of Bainbridge Island wants more low income housing then “do it right” and make sure the developer builds something that we’re all proud of and blends into the community.

LYNN LONG

Bainbridge Island