Title: Managing Local Opposition to Affordable Housing: A New Approach to NIMBY
Abstract: San Marcos, CA—Officials from Casa de Amparo, a home for abused and neglected children in Oceanside, thought everything was going well for their plans to relocate to San Marcos. ‘‘At the first two workshops, things were going swimmingly for us,’’ said Jerry Stein, chairman of Casa’s building committee. But Casa officials say they now are trying to counter what they describe as a tidal wave of opposition to a proposed residential-care facility for newborns to 17-year-olds and a day-care center. . . .‘‘We’re not against Casa,’’ said Steve Anderson, a resident in the Allegra development, near the proposed site. ‘‘We know they are crowded and need a larger site, but we don’t think this should be in a residential neighborhood.’’ Anderson and Rebecca Jones are members of a newly formed group called Save the Children of San Marcos.1 Merced, CA—The City Council unanimously rejected a proposed 398unit, low-income apartment complex on the city’s east side, making the decision after a public hearing that lasted more than three hours. . . . Neighbors showed up in force, saying the project would invade their privacy, lower property values in the area, bring about an increase in crime and create a traffic nightmare. ‘‘This is being proposed in an area without a proposed growth plan,’’ said Joel Knox, a neighbor and spokesman for the anti-apartment faction. ‘‘It’s an attempt by an out-of-town developer to make money at the expense of a neighborhood.’’ . . . Councilwoman Nellie McGarry said it is wrong to equate low-income housing with an increase in crime. ‘‘It saddens me to hear that you think that crime is going to happen (because of the complex),’’ she said. ‘‘Theywant quality of life.’’ . . .McGarry noted that more than 40 percent of the population could qualify for lowincome housing, adding, ‘‘We also have to listen to all of the people out there who need affordable housing.’’ . . . Mayor Mary Jo Knudsen encouraged the developer to come back with another project. ‘‘We do need it,’’ she
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 30
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