Although the County Board unanimously approved the developer’s proposal to expand the property, the three 22202 civic associations tried unsuccessfully for modifications because we felt the proposal was weak and had deficiencies.
We are not happy with the flawed process nor the outcome:
- Parking: Board approval of additional parking spaces violates its own zoning restrictions.that NO surface parking is permitted in that district.
- The urban orchard with fruit trees was not wanted by the community. We requested a park. Who will maintain the trees and pick up the fruit?
- No access is provided through the two block long building along South Eads Street. Simple design changes could have allowed for Crystal House residents to penetrate through that large building.
- Affordable Housing sounds great. But turning over space to the County to build 47 units instead of incorporating them into the proposed two new towers not only delays housing (when will the County have the money?) and segregate affordable housing, excluding future residents from the amenities in the Other Crystal House buildings.