Live blog: Ability Housing Springfield meeting

[strider]

Each overlay is different. 

Yes, each historic district  (Riverside/ Avondale, Springfield and Downtown?) has it's own overlay and each is different.  They all share the basic definitions from the regular zoning codes and I believe the first one done, Springfield, is the only one that goes into as much detail with the uses.  In fact, at the time, I was told it was unique in how it addressed "use".  Most historic overlays only address the physical needs, as does the overlay for Riverside and Avondale, and lets regular zoning code handle "use". 

Additionally, Springfield's overlay is not well written in many areas and therefore much of it cannot be enforced.

[sheclown]

From: Springfield Block Captains <sparblockcaptains@gmail.com>
Date: September 25, 2014 at 12:01:23 AM PDT
To: Springfield Block Captains <sparblockcaptains@gmail.com>
Subject: SPAR Block Captains Update 9.24.14

(2) Success at Planning Commission Hearing

You've heard by now, no doubt, that on 9/04/14 the Planning Commission rejected the appeal to allow the unsupervised homeless housing project for those with serious chronic issues to open in our neighborhood. In a 6-2 vote, the Commission upheld the COJ Planning Department's denial and agreed with the Springfield community (and various subject matter experts) that the project was more than simple apartments, as other side was arguing.

To all residents and stakeholders who attended either of the large community meetings, who wrote emails, who wrote actual physical letters (old fashioned!), who corrected the local media after they repeatedly fell for the paid PR spin of the developers, who attended the community walk, who researched the proposed program details, who contacted the state agencies, who took time off their actualy job to work on this issue, who volunteered their materials and sweat, who spent their own dollars (and a lot of them), and who spent hours at the September 4th hearing: THANK YOU.

A special thanks goes out to Jack, JoAnn, Adam, Michael, Crissie, Bill, and Brian for their efforts, which were substantial. Councilman Gaffney, Riverside Avondale Preservation, and Duval County Pubic Schools were also very supportive of our neighborhood on this issue.

This is a diverse community with diverse opinions on any number of issues. There was a clear majority opinion, however, on this issue and in the end the result was best for the continuing improvement of our neighborhood. However, the purchasing future of the Cottage Avenue property remains unclear. And a collection of social service organizations may challenge the City's zoning rules in federal court over this issue, which could hypothetically impact zoning across Jacksonville. Who knows how long that would take.....it would be a lengthy process.



(3) Follow Up

Whether that specific project was approved or denied, we promised to follow up on this issue by examining a possible change in the process for which these types of grants are approved, to include input from the community where such projects are planned. Currently, organizations are under no obligation to engage the community they seek to operate in, and the agency that awards the grants has no idea whether a project is being embraced or rejected by citizens. These grants are funded by taxes and we're tax payers, thus we feel that community input should be considered.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

okay few questions. Have they already purchased the property they were going to use? if no, then is there a contract between the group and the land owner to purchase the space?

[strider]

I'm sure they optioned it contingent upon the grant.  As at least one other sale of this property fell thorough due to issues with the property, I'm sure the seller was OK with waiting the several months I think it took for the grant approval. I also know they were letting out the RFP to contractors but I do not know how far that got. In this case, I think they need some other paperwork from the city (other than what was from the city saying it was OK and was attached to the grant.) to be able to close on the grant funding.  There is also normally a time limit involved as well.  So the delay, regardless of whatever else happens, may be what truly stops the project.

The beauty then is that Ability Housing will then have been hurt by the City and Springfield rather than just the discrimination issue, which is bad enough on its own. It just gets more expensive for the City.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

Well at least the owner is willing to sell and they haven't convinced him/her/them to simply refuse the sale. That in itself is a good sign as it could pan out to hurt the landowner as well which then would cause the city some bad publicity if not more repercussions.

[sheclown]

 "Violent Double Murder in the Building Realtors protested over Ability Housing"

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,23091.msg396140/topicseen.html#new

[Bill Hoff]

I have a suggestion: the owner simply rent to  people who don't have criminal histories.

Apartments in SPR are in demand, the owner doesn't need to settle for high risk tenants anymore.

[thelakelander]

Just require a background credit search as a part of the rental application process and base your decision to rent off what you can stomach from the results. No big deal. It's pretty common practice. With that said, you can't completely buffer yourself from crime. Things happen.

[strider]

Things happen...yes they do.  However, after all the rhetoric over the disabled persons Ability Housing wanted to house at Cottage Ave, after all the fear those proposed disabled caused the community, after all the times Ability Housing was chastised because they would have to move the current residents out; to have had this tragic event happen at this controversial location is simply...ironic.

[samelevel]

Well bless her heart, I just got word that Michelle Tappouni is donating her time and money on this cottage street property to replace the windows and repoint the brick. I sure hope this isn't some stunt for votes or a desperate attempt on Ability Housing's part to weasel their way back into Historic Springfield. 

[Jax Friend]

Oh yes, we all saw that murder coming. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for letting it happen... How about sticking to the issue. We all knew the pro-Ability camp was salivating when they heard there was a murder in that building. How about no being so transparent. The issue at hand was that more economically undesirable people were going to be pushed into Springfield. Other neighborhoods in the area could take some of the burden, with probably better outcome for the tenants. The bottom line is that Ability Housing and murder drives economic opportunity away from Springfield.

[Jax Friend]

What is bizarre is that a non-community member, i.e. those who did not buy into or care to foster community in Springfield, is coming in to establish their own organization for what they see as the greater good. Springfield already gets the trickle down effect from downtown homelessness. I think if there was some limit on how long Ability could operate a given location as a group home I would be more on board. Springfield does not need another magnet for the unfortunate, it can barely support those that are here already. As far as my previous comment being labeled as repellent, I think you are trying some Fox News crap on me. Maybe if you say it enough times it will be true. I'm for fostering growth in this neighborhood and I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that Ability is not the correct route... Or you can just call me stupid again...

[samelevel]

stephendare I didn't come on here to be anymore of a jerk than you already are to most of the posters on here, and by most I mean anybody that isn't part of your good ole gal network. Is there a rating system on how good or not good a first post should be? Ability Housing doesn't belong in Historic Springfield  and it seems pretty obvious that the people and the city have made that clear. I'm guessing overlays and zoning restrictions are legal and probably explain why you don't see these types of projects in other historic districts or in upper crust hoods like those that the Ability Housing members actually live in.

Apache I'm pretty sure most MJ readers are well aware that Springfield and the entire city has a murder issue and aren't dumb enough to think that Ability Housing has any real bearing on the murder rate.

I posted this information as I think the taxpayer has a right to know what Ability Housing is up to. Michelle Tappouni isn't donating time or money as I previously understood, she is getting paid and spending tax payers money on what I'm guessing is an attempt to salvage some grant money and at the same time using it to do some PR work. Ability Housing has not purchased the Cottage Street building but are working with the current owner to make improvements. This seems really underhanded. It would be really nice if Michelle would clarify what is really going on.

I'm all for taxpayer money going to non profit organizations to house or take care of people in need. I fully support Veteran housing, in fact Ability Housing should be made to actually open a true real Veteran housing project. I'd fully support that in Springfield. The problem is Ability Housing isn't about that. This is a group of people in the homeless business. They use government money to purchase these buildings outright and instead of allowing people to use these facilities as a stepping stone at a severe discount or at no cost, they "target" the people that will fetch them the highest rent, this also is usually paid for by the taxpayer. AH board members and staff also make really obscene salaries and apparently seem to think they can do as they please and even use our money to fight the people and the city . They actually have a PR person, Why? If they were just doing the good work they should be doing that wouldn't be necessary. Michelle Tappouni was even hired right in the middle of all this controversy. Coincidence?Playing politics? it's all so gross. It's fantastic that some people besides those at the top benefit from this organization, I'm just wondering how many more could actually really be helped with the money this organization is wasting on shenanigans. It would be wise to let this cottage project go, if Shannon Nazworth is all about second chances I wondering why she doesn't explore that option.

[Bill Hoff]

Opinions: everyone has one, and think theirs is the best. Gotta love human nature.

[samelevel]

stephendare Is that your real name? This is Jacksonville there are poor uneducated people everywhere. I don't recall ever saying anything about kicking them out or being too good to live amongst them. In all honesty, I'm a paycheck or two away from being poor myself. Poor people rarely have the resources to restore homes and they generally don't provide the demographics required for commercial growth, especially when they are lumped or quarantined to one area.  The litter, petty crime, and building fires alone are proof that this segment shouldn't out number those that are here trying to turn their blood, sweat, and last paycheck into a better life and neighborhood. Pick on Meeks or Joanne all you like but at least they are actually doing something. Where is your contribution aside from slinging mud all the time? Are you opening another successful hot spot in the hood? Is your home filled with homeless people needing a hot meal?  I doubt you rolled out the red carpet for any of them at any of your exquisite businesses in your hay days. I'm actually curious how you came to love a historic district with such a rich past, I'm guessing you saw a glimpse of gentrification that you could capitalize on.

It would be fantastic if Springfield could keep it's balance of economic and social diversity while it pulls itself out of decades of decay. I don't see how AH carefully planned, not really a Veteran project (read the grant for yourself) loophole approach to sneaking into a federally protected historic district garners any support. It honestly reflects poorly on them not having the courage to approach the hood in the first place. Oh and then the obvious, they probably should have selected a property a few blocks away, or better yet found a property that really needed to be brought back to life.  As in one of the hundreds of properties that need care. I think the city even owns hundreds that are just sitting there, hardly being taken care of. The whole thing has been underhanded and the real motive is to make money. That's why they are fighting so hard.

As far as attacking a politician goes you might want to read through most of your posts, I think you have broken most of MJ's rules of conduct several times. If being called out to act in a transparent way is offensive to someone running for city council they probably shouldn't be running for office. It's in really poor taste for a Republican to jump on the taxpayer funded social net when it provides a job, and accepting a position at AH during a controversial time wasn't the wisest choice for Michelle. Having someone as a potential representative on city council is exciting but doesn't make her immune to tough questions or situations. I'm looking forward to her open forum discussions on this issue. I'm sure you will be there with all your besties and you will all be adding positive notions that maybe finally will amount to something, or as usual your mouths will be moving but nobody will be influenced and nothing will happen. I will say this, if AH opens up shop in Historic Springfield I'll be first in line at the city to request my zoning to be changed.  The Stephen Dare Glory Group Home kinda has a nice ring to it. It's for wayward boys, of course.