Strong response to housing plan

FALLS VILLAGE — The public hearing in Falls Village on the proposal to build an affordable housing development on River Road continued Wednesday evening, May 29. The hearing was then continued again, to the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, which will be held on Thursday, June 27, 6:30 p.m.

Laura Werntz questioned the legality of the public hearing in December 2013 that established the Incentive Housing Zone, where the development would be located if approved. She said she believed the hearing had been improperly warned and as a result there was very little public awareness of it.

Colter Rule questioned whether the development fits in with the commission’s stated goals regarding water quality protection, protecting property values and overpopulation.

Planning and Zoning Commission member Greg Bidou reminded the group that one of the commission’s goals is to promote the construction of affordable housing.

Other commenters noted that the housing trust is a new entity with no track record; expressed concern about the impact of the development on the River Road area, a bald eagle habitat; pointed out that the site is not near any sort of transportation options other than automobiles; wondered about the impact of more children in the schools on property taxes.

Supporters said that young families cannot stay in Falls Village without more housing options than currently exist. Jandi Hanna, president of the trust, said, “I believe we will be helping the schools” by bringing in young families.

Hanna also reminded the commission and the public that the proposal calls for two phases of construction, with 14 units apiece. She left open the possibility that only the first phase would be built, but added that it was prudent to get approval for the full 28 unit development now, rather than have to go through the process again if and when the second phase is built.

The meeting got a little boisterous at times. One woman left, saying, “This is just wrong.”