We, Save BG Neighborhoods, are local citizens who have spoken out at city council meetings and in the media about our opposition to part of the proposed city zoning code.
Many in our group own homes, some rent and some own rentals. We have never intended to exclude anyone. Our concerns about the code are community concerns. We know it is not any ONE individual that makes a neighborhood inviting, vibrant and sustainable. In BG as in any city, the community thrives when all residents thrive.
In the new code, the PR district (a 100-block area near downtown) is identified for needing an increase of building density, more housing and more businesses. Growing a community may be positive but also challenging. The new code puts the lion’s share of growth in the PR district. These near-to-downtown neighborhoods have grand old houses but also have a high density of housing units, small lots, rundown housing, a lack of driveways, many cars parked on the street and trash in unkept yards.
The new code’s criteria for the PR district do not address any of these real needs for our town’s oldest communities. Rather the proposed PR opens the door to developers. Numerous businesses are permitted next to or as the first floor of housing units. Added parking and utility needs are not considered. New businesses would compete with shops in downtown, just blocks away.
The proposed PR district encourages new construction of housing where there are few vacant lots. A large lot with a beautiful old home removed could be spilt to allow for duplexes, close together with little yard and little space for gardens or trees.
The proposed PR district claims that “walkability” will be created as the number of buildings – business and housing – increases. Yet, the proposed PR is already very walkable. Residents living near town walk every day to do errands, visit the library, eat lunch or shop.
Residents living further from downtown may benefit if the zoning code included incentives for developing their “neighborhood centers” near Wooster/Wintergarden or the area near Poe/Haskins. There are residents that live on the edge of town that want more opportunities to walk. The proposed code does not support more housing or businesses in residential neighborhoods away from town. Why?
The Save BG Neighborhoods group offers an alternative – the CRD, Central Resident District. The CRD promotes restoring existing housing, limiting business, and adding passive greenspace to make our city more safe, desirable and resilient for future generations. Please reach out to us at: save.our.bg.neighborhoods@gmail.com and consider joining our efforts to make BG’s zoning code speak for all of us, in every part of town.
Penny Evans-Meyer
Bowling Green
