Letter to the Editor: I have issues with vision 2029

To the Editor:

I read the latest issue of Currents (Vol16, No.5), as I normally like to do. However, I have issues with ‘Vision 2029’. It’s being represented as fact when it’s projection. My family, like others, is still trying to regain value in our home from the latest economic disaster. Why is Shoreline more concerned with future residents than current residents?

Richmond Highlands recently went through an unpleasant episode with city council and Ronald Methodist church. The council allowed the church to subdivide their property, so the back half could be sold to Hope Link. This back half holds the last group of older trees in our neighborhood on Linden Av. It will be replaced with an apartment building that will dwarf the surrounding homes.

Linden Ave is considered a residential street to us and is in a school zone with no sidewalks. So when we discuss future growth, what price will we pay for allowing an increased density of people on an infrastructure built for a smaller load?

The adjacent Aurora corridor has many unused lots. My least favorite is the strip club that has sat vacant for 5 years.

Hope Link talks about building community. This green space is where residents walk their dogs and could easily hold a playground where families could meet. What’s occurring though, is a division between neighborhood and church and a mistrust of city officials who failed to be advocates for their constituents.

My hope is that the space is donated to the city and preserved. In return, Hope Link receives a more concerted effort from city and community to obtain and build on a lot on Aurora Av. Taxpayer dollars are already funding Hope Link’s project. As a Tree City, Shoreline should make this effort

Vision 2029 is not in the interest of homeowners. It’s too aggressive and needs to be mitigated.

Michael Bachety

Shoreline