Dear Editor,

VOTE NO. Read the September 19, 2023 Agenda Info Memorandum Housing Needs Assessment prepared by Miranda Fisher: “Increasing housing stock is beneficial for community sustainability and possible workforce housing.”

Did you know, “47% of Households in Nederland spend more than 30% of their annual income on housing.” In an Aug 23, 2023 Town of Nederland Housing Needs Assessment completed by Bohannan Huston, they found:

Median Age: 45.4

Household Income: <$100K: 41.09%; $100-$149K: 23.27%; >$150K: 24.45%

Employment: Remote: 24.66%; In Person: 39.01%; Hybrid: 24.66%; Mobile: 2.24%; Other: 9.42%

Commute: Would you choose to live in Nederland if you were able to find housing that meets your needs? Yes: 50.60%; No: 16.87%; Other: 23.53%

Household: How many children are you a parent or guardian for in your household (aged 17 or younger only)? None: 76.86%; One: 14.05%; Two: 8.68%; Three: 0.41%

Housing/Community Sentiment: It is important to have a variety of housing types to meet different life-stage needs:

Strongly Agree: 70%~; Agree: 28%~; Disagree: 8%~; Strongly Disagree: 1%~

(Reference: https://nederlandco. civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=654)

Did you read the Adopted, August 15, 2023 “7.2 Town of Nederland 2023-2024 Strategic Plan titled: “THE NEXT 18 MONTHS: STABILIZE, PLAN, GROW REVENUE”

OBJECTIVE #6: Listen to the voices of our workers and residents and implement changes to the Nederland

Municipal Code from the results of the Housing Needs Assessment.

(Reference: https://nederland.co.civic web.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=590)

Thoughts to ponder:

1) Ned taxpayers already bear the brunt of exorbitant infrastructure costs;

2) Ned taxpayers already handed over one 99 yrs at a $1/yr prime real estate on Barker Res to Teens Inc;

3) According to Stephen on FB, possibly 20~ Resident Town kiddos out of the 65+ kiddos may attend. I have yet to get an answer regarding attendance projections once building is completed in three+ years. This number could be greatly decreased (or increased) by then. Again, Ned taxpayers footing the bill through indirect costs when they represent not even a third attending;

4) Take a look at your property tax bill, the majority goes to schools. Many do not have kids; you are already paying.

Did you know there was chatter to place this Teens Inc facility in Old Town? Old Town, the perfect central location for the 20~ Ned residents’ kids to easily walk or bicycle to versus the inaccessible outskirts of town on a dangerous curve? Have you seen all the Yes signs in Old Town; they are already on board! Perfect.

Please Vote NO. Send this land use SRU back to the table. Support Town desires reflected in the above study paid for and presented to Town Govt; supported by the Town of Nederland Comprehensive Plan. It is time for affordable housing as was promised in this neighborhood.

Cheers,

Deb DAndrea

Nederland