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Designate more permits
for affordable housing
Developers' favorite
rally cry, "it's for affordable housing," is being sung by Mayor [Jimmy]
Weekley in his attempt to alter restrictions on building height. If this
Pandora's box is opened, even if it's only for "affordable housing"
reasons, you can be sure developers will take advantage of that sanction
as leverage to build market-rate high-rise units and further turn Key
West into the condo quagmire it is becoming. They will promise the world
if only we allow them build their showcase, but they will only deliver
another ugly concrete monolith that further detracts from the
surrounding natural beauty. Witness the moderate high rise condos
appearing along South Roosevelt Boulevard. To think these monstrosities
rose over sensitive environmental lands in the area is unconscionable.
If city and county
officials are truly concerned about affordable housing, how about making
all new building permits strictly for affordable housing purposes!
Weakening building height restrictions is not the answer. There seems to
be many people who still care about preserving the charm and character
of Key West instead of turning it into another crowded Disney-like
experience. I only hope they will be enough to save Key West from
becoming Orlando south.
John Murphy
Big Pine Key |
