From: Flaherty Ward
To: Council, City
Cc: McDonough, Melissa; Gaines, Chantal; Sarah White; Gabriel Borden Subject: Buena Vista Resident Support Letters
Date: Monday, August 12, 2024 11:45:24 AM
Attachments: image001.png
83 Letter of support for redevelopment.pdf
#59 Support Letter.docx
#59 Support Letter - 2.docx
Signed letters of support.pdf
Petition signatures.pdf
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Dear Councilmembers and City Staff:
We often get asked by Buena Vista residents how they can help get the positive message out about their support for the Park redevelopment effort. We used last weeks wonderful National Night Out event at the property to assist residents in writing their own letters (some were sent directly), signing a template letter and/or signing a petition expressing their support for the redevelopment of the Park.
Please find those attached.
We look forward to presenting and dialoguing with Council tonight.
We appreciate all the support getting to this important milestone.
Best,
Flaherty
Flaherty Ward
(she/her)
Director of Real Estate
Santa Clara County Housing Authority
505 W. Julian Street
San José, CA 95110
Tel
408-975-4617
Cell 408-772-7627
[email protected]
SCCHA’s mission is to provide and inspire affordable housing solutions to enable low-income people in Santa Clara County to achieve financial stability and self-reliance.
NOTICE: This email message and its attachments may contain information that is confidential. It is intended only for the individuals named as recipients in the message. If you are NOT an authorized recipient, you are prohibited from using, delivering, distributing, printing, copying, or disclosing the message or content to others and must delete the message from your computer. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by return email.
Estoy preparada para mover me a una nueva vivienda, voy a estar mas cómodo y un lugar mas digno para vivir. Y soy de las primeras personas que a estado decidida desde el pricipo y estoy de acuerdo en que se aga la construcción de las nuevas viviendas.
Tengo 16 anos viviendo aquí, soy una persona descapacidada.
No es justo que por las pocas personas que están indicisas nos toque esperar mas tiempo para poder vivir en un lugar mas digno.
Attentamente
Amanda Duval Serrano
Casa #59
I am ready to move to a new home, I will be more comfortable and a more dignified place to live.
And I am one of the first people who has been determined from the beginning and I agree that the construction of the new homes should be completed.
I have been living here for 16 years, I am a disabled person.
It is not fair that because of the few people who are indicted, we have to wait longer to be able to live in a more dignified place.
Sincerely
Amanda Duval Serrano
Casa #59
16 anos viviendo aqui – hermano desabilitado y ocupa muchas necesidades. No es justo que estén alargando proyecto por los indeciso.
Le pido a la ciudad que aprueben el proyecto por el bien de todos.
Mas rápido el proceso / proyecto
Marco Antonio Sandigo Serrano
#59
16 years living here – disabled brother and occupies many needs. It is not fair that they are dragging out the project because of the undecided.
I ask the city to approve the project for the good of all.
Faster process/project
Marco Antonio Sandigo Serrano
#59
From: Esmeralda aristeo
To: Council, City
Cc: Maria Martinez; Erika Escalante
Subject: Regarding Buena Vista HP
Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024 12:28:37 PM
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Dear Mayor and council members
I want to thank you for advocated for our community, and give you an update, HA allowed 2 families to add their family members who wasn’t in the lease contract, but we still have 2 more families with their problem specially Jose Ramirez who has Cancer. Flaherthy contact me to let me know that is going to be a waiting list for the families who need extra room, and she is willing to talk with residents , but there is still some issues with other families. Thank you.
Kindest regards Esmeralda
From: Palo Alto Forward
To: Council, City
Subject: 8/12 Coucil Agenda Item AA1 - Buena Vista
Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024 11:01:59 AM
Attachments: Buena Vista Support Ltr (08.11.24).pdf
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Honorable Mayor Stone and City Coucilmembers,
Please find our attached letter of support for the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park project.
Thank you,
--
Amie Ashton
Executive Director, Palo Alto Forward
650-793-1585
**Want to be counted as a supporter of housing? Add your name here .**
August 11, 2024
SUBJECT: Agenda Item AA1 - Buena Vista Mobile Home Park Redevelopment Dear Mayor Stone and Honorable Council Members,
We strongly support the proposed Buena Vista Mobile Home Redevelopment Project. The rehabilitation of 44 mobile homes and proposed new 61-unit apartment building will provide much needed affordable housing for Palo Alto. The site utility upgrades, green-building features, new landscaping, and improved housing conditions represent a significant win for the city, residents at the site, and the surrounding neighborhood.
We applaud the Santa Clara Housing Authority (SCHA) for their work with the Buena Vista community over the past 18 months. SCHA has made significant efforts to incorporate the needs and wants of as many of the residents and neighbors as possible. Both groups have worked to come up with the best overall solution given all of the project's parameters and budget. We applaud SCHA’s efforts to work with the residents while still responding to the many comments from city staff, the Architectural Review Board, and the Planning and Transportation Commission.
While no project is ever perfect and meets the individual needs of everyone involved, this project in its current form best meets the overall communities’ needs. While not every resident is completely satisfied, this is a necessary project that should move forward.
We urge you to approve this project immediately so that the County does not miss their funding deadline on August 27th. Without immediate approval, the project risks (at least) six months of delay until the next funding window, as well as associated cost escalation increases in the millions of dollars.
Palo Alto residents identified “more housing” as the #1 priority for the city in this year’s annual survey. Demonstrate our city’s commitment to housing by approving this project.
Sincerely,
Amie Ashton, Executive Director
And on Behalf of the Board of Palo Alto Forward Homes for Everyone? YES!
From: Esmeralda aristeo
To: Council, City
Subject: Regarding Buena Vista MHP
Date: Friday, August 9, 2024 8:24:03 PM
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Dear Mayor and Council members
We would like to know how much time we have to speak? , It's possible if we can have extra time?, please let me know, we think that we are about 20 residents who wants to talk, thank you.
Kindest regards Esmeralda
From: Jenny Cruz
To: Council, City
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Buena Vista
Date: Monday, August 5, 2024 5:56:38 PM
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Hello,
my name is Jenny from unit 10. I’ve been a long time resident of Buena Vista. Ever since we started fighting to keep our park open our goal has been to save our homes and be able to upgrade the failing infrastructure of the park. But now we are divided into 2 groups, one group that only cares about taking advantage and getting more money, more rooms, more space. And the other group that cares about getting the park redone and the safety of our park specially for those of us that have children at home like me that have two boys. For example yesterday Sunday morning we woke up do to a weird noise and my son yelling “there is fire in the back of the house”. When I came out to check it looked like the fire was coming out of the bottom of the electrical box and then smoked started coming out of the box. My concern was that all the dry weeds around it would fought fire and spread to the mobile homes. I used to keep the back of my house clean of weeds but since my neighbor had his sewer clogged and people came to fix it by digging a trench in the back and then they put the gas pipes above ground I’m not able to clean back there because I’m afraid of falling or getting hurt with the pipes. Please as you discussed Buena Vista also keep in mind those of us that are looking forward to getting this project moving forward and fixing everything that needs upgrades so we don’t have to worry about fires or broken gas lines. Here is a photo of yesterday’s electrical fire behind my unit, there was also another box damage to fire a few units down but don’t have a picture of that one.
Thank you and I hope this keeps moving forward,
Jenny
Enviado desde mi iPhone
Dear Palo Alto City Council,
As a resident of Buena Vista, I am writing to express support for the new development in our community.
Our community is thriving, a place that families, children, and seniors call home. We want to make sure that our Buena Vista community remains safe and affordable housing in the community we all love. Affordable housing is critical to the diversity and vibrancy of our community.
As a resident of Buena Vista Mobile Home Park, I believe the proposed housing development aligns with the vision for the community's future. This proposal will allow us to stay in our neighborhood, ensure our children stay in the award-winning school district, and preserve homeownership opportunities for so many.
Thank you for hearing our voice. We look forward to the positive changes this will bring to our community.
Sign your name here
Date
Buena Vista Resident
Brandi Johnson (she/her)
Communications Program Manager
Santa Clara County Housing Authority
505 W. Julian Street
San José, CA 95110
Cell 559.908.7269
[email protected]
SCCHA’s mission is to provide and inspire affordable housing solutions to enable low-income people in Santa Clara County to achieve financial stability and self-reliance.
NOTICE: This email message and its attachments may contain information that is confidential. It is intended only for the individuals named as recipients in the message.
If you are NOT an authorized recipient, you are prohibited from using, delivering, distributing, printing, copying, or disclosing the message or content to others and must delete the message from your computer. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by return email.
From: Sabrina
To: Council, City
Cc: Flaherty Ward
Subject: Buena vista
Date: Monday, August 5, 2024 2:04:17 PM
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City council
Good afternoon, my name is Sabrina and I’ve lived in Buena Vista since 1999. I fought really hard along with my neighbors to keep the park open and thankfully we achieved our goal. I wanted to email you guys today so you can also hear from people that are anxiously looking forward to the redevelopment. Yesterday morning we had a small fire where the electrical box behind unit 26 caught on fire, and the electrical box behind my house unit 23 also had lots of smoke coming out of it. two neighbors quickly put the fire out with the water hoses and I called the office to report the emergency and management came quickly to assist the situation.
Management was also able to get an electrician out to fix the problem and get our power back on the same day. The reason I’m sharing this story from yesterday is to let you all know about the dangers, we all are facing here at Buena Vista, we all know we can’t keep putting Band- Aids on issues that need fixing since years ago. When people keep blocking the project from moving forward they don’t just put their safety at risk but everyone in the park. Please take our safety into consideration when making a decision. As always thank you for all your support for Buena Vista from the very beginning.
If possible kindly let me know you got my email,
Sabrina Ramirez
From: [email protected]
To: Council, City; Lait, Jonathan
Subject: Buena Vista item Aug 12
Date: Friday, August 9, 2024 2:10:16 PM
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Dear Mayor Stone and council members,
I write in support of staff's recommendations to move forward with the project per their August 5 staff report
Here is what I know
1) For several years city councils, staff and the Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) have invested considerable time and money to move the project forward to this point.
2) SCCHA needs approval before August 27 to apply for tax credits. If that deadline is missed, they must wait another year to apply.
that would mean residents who have waited patiently to move in brand new apartments with rent controlled to income would face uncertainty and at least two more years of waiting.
3) Many units and much infrastructure is in disrepair and not code compliant. There was recently a fire. Waiting another year will raise costs for SCCHA and take more of their and our staff's time. Delay will bring substantial costs and risk. 4) Some residents are dissatisfied either from not getting as large a unit as they desired or in monetary disagreement.
Many projects brought to council end with not everyone satisfied--Casti for example, many housing projects and likely for any grade separation and Cubberley decisions. That is what happens in finding the common good when preferences differ among residents. 5) The SCCHA has presented council with the reasons why for physical and financial reasons, they cannot accommodate all BV park resident's desires.
I have worked with SCCHA staffs during the entire period since they were given responsibility for upgrading BV and I trust that they have done their best to accommodate the law and the residents.
Stephen Levy
From: MELODIE CHENEY
To: Council, City
Subject: Resident support letter for Buena Vista
Date: Friday, August 9, 2024 11:14:33 AM
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My name is Melodie Cheney
I have been a Buena Vista mobile home park resident for over 20 years and I was part of the original board of directors that saved the park starting in 2010
The reason for this letter is to show my full support for the Santa Clara county housing authorities plan to redevelop our park
At this time, I am an owner. I am planning on becoming a renter when we return to the park. I am very grateful for this option of housing. To me, it was an easy decision. I was told that I qualify for a fully ADA accessible apartment, due to some mental and physical limitations. This will make it easier on me as I get older.
I am newly retired. The money will be my nest egg God forbid something catastrophic happens to me or my cat Amber. This is also one way I can stay In the Buena Vista community at large as well As, I mentioned I am newly retired. I set my retirement date Accordingly to the dates for relocation, etc.given by the housing Authority originally. This has given me time to do a thorough spring cleaning of my house and be ready for relocation and not wait till the last minute and stressed about the whole process As Preston said at the last council meeting time is of the essence for money, which includes deadlines for the money they have now and to apply for money to complete the project in a timely manner. Loss of money will hurt the project and the lives of the people, families, kids, in the park. Which would also mean loss of tax money to the city and the county from the residents, etc.
So I am urging you to Support the project by approving the request by the Santa Clara County housing Authority. Technically, this has been a 14 year process counting the time to save the park initially and the redevelopment process. Enough is enough Just Think of the future, how proud it will be to see the finished product
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter