HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #02 Dakota Crawford
Butler, Bric
From:Dakota Crawford <dakotamcrawford@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, February 6, 2025 4:34 PM
To:Butler, Bric
Subject:Written Comments on "Gramercy East" Development
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Hi Mr. Butler,
I'm writing to present views on the Feb. 18 hearing on docket number PZ-2024-00241 ADLS and PZ-2024-
00242 DP. Please see below.
Thanks for your consideration and hard work.
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We should push Buckingham to build townhomes along Kinzer Avenue instead of single-use apartments,
as currently proposed.
Findings from Mayor Finkham’s housing task force illustrate why: “We should further discourage
financial incentives offered for development of single-use apartment projects.”
If we’re going to build apartments, the task force added, they should be mixed-use. This makes sense.
Mixed-use structures provide commercial spaces that bring attractive amenities and economic value to
our city. What they don’t provide is the “missing middle” housing that the task force identified as severely
lacking in Carmel.
This is true in our city and across the country. Conservative estimates suggest we’re 3-5 million units shy
of being able to house every American family. The most daunting estimates suggest an even bigger
shortage of 18-20 million.
And yet, here is a proposal that misuses land perfectly suited to provide dozens of quality, affordable
missing middle units. Instead, we’re eyeing nine new apartment buildings before breaking ground on a
single home.
I find this unacceptable based on our collective need for affordable housing and as a resident in
Gramercy West where a rich neighborhood fabric is being spun up by residents who care for each other,
walk to the bus stop together and jointly take on communal issues.
I prefer development that doubles down on this local character and opens the door for more diverse
homeowners who, like me, are committed to doing their part to build a sustainable city. Townhomes
would establish a strong sense of place along this growing corridor and bring the added benefit of a more
engaging, walkable street.
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In summary: I fully support and endorse dense, well-planned development in Carmel. But we should be
eyeing townhomes — not single-use apartments — along Kinzer Avenue.
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Dakota Crawford
Freelance social strategy & copy
Twitter \\ LinkedIn \\ dakotacrawford.com
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