TO THE EDITOR:

I was not able to attend the recent public hearing on the ESSBY Housing Proposal. There was a strong anti-growth message presented at the hearing. I too support a slower, more managed growth rate for North Branch. However, I do support the ESSBY Housing proposal. I think this project would be beneficial to the City and, in particular, it addresses our need for more affordable housing. The development would include a good mix of single-family housing, townhouses and twinhouses; the kind of developments you are seeing in other communities.

There were a lot of statistics and rational presented at the hearing and a lot of negative feedback by many of my friends. First let me say that I think the data Joe Lynch presented on the savings to taxpayers for moving forward with the development is highly speculative. At the same time, I think some of the costs for not moving forward are realistic.Ý

The biggest objection I read was about controlling growth, the lack of infrastructure etc.ÝI donít think stopping this proposal is the best way to control growth. In fact, I think you heard data from the school district that this kind of development is needed to keep our school district healthy. I do know this is exactly the kind of development that St. Gregoryís Social Justice Leadership Team has wanted in our community and I believe, the majority of our citizens, provided accurate information, would also support it.

Given our need for more affordable housing, the economic advantages to moving forward on this specific proposal, and the attractiveness of the proposal first because it provides a needed mix of housing, ÝandÝthat it is the type of growth that is desirable for the City, I think this proposal should be supported. I urge you to let our city council know that this development should be supported and is good for our City.

Robert G. Walz
North Branch

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