Housing development a bad fit for location

To the editor,

I wonder how many realize that a 9.3 acre, low income, housing development is going to be built in Palmer? It will be located off of S. Chugach Street (across from MTA). The entrance will be at Commercial Drive next to the Chugach Apartments.

These will be high density units…88 units. Let’s say conservatively 2 adults per unit = 176, with again conservatively 2 children per unit = 176, not to mention 1 pet per unit = 88 and of course, at least one car (most likely 2) cars per unit = 88. These numbers are too high for 9.3 acres!

My husband and I live adjacent to this proposed project in the Mt. Rose Senior Community. We chose this location for the safety, quiet, beautiful scenery and close proximity to the surrounding Senior Services. We feel that this project will impact our quality of life and our property value.

We understand the need for low income housing and appreciate the opportunity this affords those who are trying to improve their lot in life; however, because of the high density we are concerned that this will become an anthill of adults, children, pets, and automobiles.

How does this impact Palmer in general? Our schools are already at capacity. This of course, will increase class size. More funding will be needed to accommodate them. There will definitely be an increase in traffic, in an already congested area.

Alaska is one of the fastest growing retirement areas for seniors in the United States. Perhaps this project could be less ambitious, say 40 units, and make it a Senior Community. Anyone who knows this location in Palmer knows that it is a hub of Senior Facilities: Veterans Home, Palmer Senior Center, Adult Day Care, and Senior Housing, to name a few.

We are strongly opposed to the rezoning of this property from R-1, Single Family Residential to R-4, High Density Residential. Let’s keep Palmer the treasure it is.

This can be done by careful planning and not allowing our community to be overbuilt with high density housing.

Toni and Lee Truesdell

Palmer