The meeting addressed community concerns regarding the proposed land swap involving Buster Dame Park and 7th Street. The resident, Elizabeth Mallek, emphasized the importance of preserving the park for community use and expressed reservations about the land swap’s implications for affordable housing initiatives in the Township. The discussion also highlighted upcoming community-focused initiatives aimed at addressing housing needs.
Public comments
Elizabeth Mallek voiced her concerns about the Buster Dame Park and 7th Street land swap, arguing it serves the community as an accessible open space and that improvements should be explored prior to any decisions. She noted that appraisals for both parcels had been conducted per DNR requirements but cautioned against moving forward with the swap until the Village determines their use for the 7th Street frontage. Mallek supported all types of housing, especially efforts for “attainable” housing led by Northport Community Ventures (NCV), and urged the board to gather significant public input before proceeding with the swap.
Affordable housing initiatives
Mallek expressed her support for housing initiatives across all economic levels and emphasized the community's recent successful support for NCV’s land acquisition for attainable housing. She mentioned that NCV plans to hold focus group sessions to gather community input on housing development, underlining that understanding community needs is crucial for success. Mallek stressed the importance of appropriate zoning changes rather than ownership of land to facilitate affordable housing solutions.
Parks and recreation matters
Mallek urged the Parks and Recreation Committee to evaluate the potential uses and improvements for Buster Dame Park, ensuring community input and transparency regarding the park's future. She stressed that public access and integration of various housing types should be included in discussions about the park.
Action Items
- The Board is to pause discussions regarding the land swap until public input is gathered concerning community housing needs.
- Results from NCV's focus groups on housing needs and preferences should be obtained before further decisions on the land swap.
- The Village should be allowed to decide on the future use of their 7th Street frontage without Township involvement.
- The Township should explore parcels outside the SAD for potential affordable housing and seek donations or philanthropic support.
- The possibility of including Buster Dame Park in discussions for future Township park improvements should be pursued.
Source Document
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