The petition
We strongly disagree with the proposed Application for Property address: 5410 SW 41st Street, Folio No. 504126060170, Petition Number ZB 11-1-06, Mcdonald's, multiple home development and a re-zoning request from R-3 to R-5 for the following reasons:
1. Poor use of land - The Town of Davie has a goal of diverse housing throughout the community. The P.A.L.is a higher density housing development, with low income housing developments to improve existing properties, dedicated land to build these properties surrounds the P.A.L community center, surrounding this to the East, North and South of this community, the zoning is mixed and consists of RAC Center. There is no need for additional Low Income housing in the area, other than the designated areas. Davie still has other properties that can be used in this P.A.L community, that could provide for additional, police, fire, and city officials to purchase due their fixed incomes, this property has not been used to it's full potential. There is no need to add any more low income units to the corner of 5410 SW 41st Street, (Folio No. 504126060170, Petition Number ZB 11-1-06, Mcdonald's)and Sw 54th Avenue, which does not fit the P.A.L. description above, nor is it in the same vicinity. The initial land-use plat boasted of open space (Little Ranches - boardering) and well-used single family dwelling land. There was never any talk of changing the abutting rural land to moderate density. This option should have been put on the table prior to families purchasing homes in East Davie; and it is misleading to have failed to mention it until now. This land should be left as rural residential zoned R-3, or if council moves forward to approve, then this would be in violation of the application where a statement is made to an isolated re-zoning issue. If this property which is zoned R-3 is changed to R-5, then all properties in the RAC shall be rezoned the same. The suggested affordable housing development that the Mcdonald's propose would be better placed in the P.A.L. or another area closer to Orange Drive, where traffic will flow out of the community, rather than more within, or closer to the technical college, so that the residents have walking access to shops and/or higher education. If this 4 home development project and re-zoning is in the new downtown, the residents will also be within walking distance of the Town's Resources.
2. Safety - Because there is so much traffic on SW 54th Avenue coming from Playland Village and other areas to access the Turnpike and Orange Drive, many deaths to animals from such traffic and speed that is not enforced, will only make the situation with additional families more of a concern. Police do not assist with the traffic/speed. This higher level of traffic will only increase with the completion, of a 4 home affordable housing if approved. To add another 4 units, which easily means at least 8-12 more vehicles, will only create more congestion and traffic accidents. Also, since the working poor are anticipated to be living in these affordable houses if rezoned R-5, will there be additional bus traffic running through the residential streets of Davie to accommodate these people and get them to work?
3. Property Values - Many of the people who have purchased homes in East Davie have put forth a significant investment, thus paying hefty property taxes to the City of Davie, and Broward County. Homes in areas with parks and green space are valued significantly higher than homes with high density and subsidized housing. Since this Mcdonald proposed project was not in the plat when we made our investment in East Davie, our homes are valued under the assumption that the parcel of land in question is zoned R-3. We have paid a premium relative to comparable, neighboring communities (P.A.L) in Broward County. The obvious reason for this premium is that land values in Large Parcels are higher. Given that higher cost of land (and subsequent higher property taxes), it would make much more sense to put this affordable housing on more affordable land. Placing these homes on the the corner of SW 54th Avenue and SW 41st Street,it is not fair to us, or to any other homeowner in Little Ranches who has paid the stiff premium to live here. If the re-zoning for this affordable housing plan goes in, will all the residents of Little Ranches and other properties bordering P.A.L receive an annual reduction in their property taxes? Or better yet, a repayment back to the residents for past increases in taxes.
4. Why are there different rules and expectations for this property? Because this Affordable Housing project will be a part of the area, will it also follow the same permitting rules, variance rules, etc. that any homeowner must seek if not claiming affordable housing project?
5. Long-term benefits - Although it may at first appear to the Planning Commission that putting this project next to the existing butting properties zoned R-5 from past, is a good idea, it is not a good long-term solution. Since this project may be targeted at the working poor, giving them an advantage to purchase a home and stay in for a period of time, they will eventually want to move on, then what. If the Planning Commission and City Council members look at the big picture, rather than a quick fix to the problem with the affordable housing dilemma, maybe it should first look at resolving issues, of stolen money from previous staffing, or reducing taxes on properties being purchased, other than just homestead, or helping with costs such as rising insurance. Possibly spending funds on extra pay incentives to retain the police, fire and other personnel to maintain a town. What about using some of the much open space purchase through the years and using some of this property for affordable housing projects? and least we forget, re-election will depend upon their decisions regarding appropriate land use for the future of Davie, Florida, as well as its current and future residents.
6. Within this petition, we would like to state, that if the Mcdonald's wish to pursue another property closer to Orange Drive and wish to turn this into affordable housing, then something like this could be discussed. However, if they intend to move forward with their application, then it would be strongly suggested that they propose to build 2 homes on the parcel that they currently own, then matching their neighbors to the South, where the same sized property currently exists with 2 homes, this creation of newer homes on the corner will only increase the value of the community, and appeal to other prospective families for future living.
Before signing, please review another petition, the 1 percent Proposition, at http://www.ipetitions.com/peti... if you are in agreement, when you sign this petition, make a statement in comments, so you can be included as a registered voter signature, if you are not a registered voter then you cannot make the comment. Please register so you can be part of this process regarding property taxes. NOTE- Only sign the 1% Proposition Proposal, here or on the other site, do not duplicate your signature on both sites.
This petition will be sent to the Planning Commision and Town of Davie City Council.
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