Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Letter From a Voter On Zoning Enforcement
Dear Mr. Biggs,
I am writing in the hope that after you are elected to Benicia City Council that you will look into the inequities in the City’s Building and Planning departments, particularly as it relates to permitting and the acceptance of zoning violations.
My family owns the residence at ***** K Street, which we bought three years ago with the expectation of developing the property as a permanent residence, eventually to expand so there would always be room for our kids to return home. Ours has been more of romantic than a practical plan, but as there seems to be a trend toward college graduates returning home to live with their parents we may have been more prescient than we knew.
But then again, not prescient enough.
Our realtors assured us that we were buying into an area that was developing in positive ways, with the nearby dilapidated mobile home park being slowly phased out to be replaced by new housing, and with numerous residential improvement projects going on in the area.
We bought in good faith that has since been violated by a warehouse project that is being built next door to us, behind the rental housing at **** K Street. ******* Construction has received permits to build a 900 sf “garage”, which he will enter from the alley. There is already a garage on the property, connected to the house, so this second “garage” is huge and redundant, were it not that ****** Construction is being run from this location.
Apparently the Building department has approved what is in actuality a warehouse and business operation in an area that is zoned “Residential”. Everyone we have spoken with here on the **** block seems to feel that it is obvious that the City is allowing this zone violation to take place, and that ***** Construction is being run out of this location.
Besides being “illegal”, at least conceptually, this breach of zoning ordinance has the effect of determining that we now live in an “industrial”, ”warehouse”, or at the very least a “mixed use” rather than a “residential” area.
I would like to know who in the department that issued these permits was given this immense authority to override the City Plan and to trample on the interests of those who bought into this area under the zoning agreements as written.
Further, I would like to believe that when you are on City Council you will investigate the City’s permitting practices.
Thank you for your consideration and best wishes in the election.
Regards,
*******
Owner/Resident
Dear Mr. ****,
I am familiar with the neighborhood you wrote about, and I am aware of the problems of allowing some residents to get around local zoning ordinances while others cannot. Inconsistency in applying our existing city guidelines is very problematic.
I am not familiar with the particular details of the ***** Construction permit, nor what justifications were used to approve the project in this instance. I will certainly investigate more and request all the pertinent information on the case should I be elected this November.
I do believe that we must safeguard residential zones. This is not just a matter of listening and being responsive to the community, which is important by itself. Some argue that commercial interests are a direct contributor to our local economy, and this is true, but what is often forgotten is the extent to which our quiet, residential areas contribute economically.
Property values have dropped across California in the last year and a half, and we must do what we can to mitigate this loss to our local residents. Property value is directly related to our ability to enforce zoning ordinances, and it is also a significant contributor to our local economy and city revenues. We have an interest in ensuring that Benicia homeowners do not face more loss in value than has already been the case in this national recession.
If elected, I will take an active interest in how decisions are being made and what is going on in the planning Commission, as well as other city departments that residents have contacted me about. Oversight is an incredibly important part of any legislative position, whether that be in Sacramento, Washington, or here on the city council. Our council members must take an active interest in investigating what goes on, how, and why in all areas of city government.
Thank you for your letter, I look forward to serving you as a member of the city council.
Sincerely,
Jubal Biggs
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Hello Mr. Biggs,Hello ****,
I met you while walking my dog on First Street and was impressed with your focus and rational. Your website is excellent as well. The question that decides who I vote for has gotten down to one major issue--the Seeno project. Much as I disagree with a lot of what the City Council has done and is doing, this sleeping bit of corruption will be back and I want a Council seated that can manage them. It is my #1 issue.
What is your take on the Seeno project and how do you propose it be managed to benefit Benicia?
I appreciate your time and willingness to serve Benicia.
Good question. Here are my thoughts.
I was not very impressed by the Seeno project as first proposed. I remember being in several council meetings while it was being discussed and felt that I would not approve the project as it was offered had I been on the council.
I think that the biggest issue here is not just the project, but how Mr. Seeno treated the community by trying to meddle with the political process first, and talking openly about his project second. People are reasonable, and if he has a good idea, I am sure people will support him, but he initially displayed a lack of good will.
As I said during the Chamber of Commerce debate, the project is now in limbo, as the economy has gone down and Mr. Seeno has not got back to the city about continuing the "visioning process" that was agreed on at the last council meeting.
If he decides to continue forward with a project (which may take some time if demand continues to sag for commercial lease space), then my priorities for what the city should be looking for are pretty straightforward;
I would like a project that will fit the sustainable development models that we have set as goals for future development. We should not hand over our last major "developable" property in the city to a project that would be an environmental nightmare.
I want to know that the businesses that are brought in are not going to merely displace business and customers away from down town. This is a concern of First Street businesses and a lot of other people in the community.
I would like a specific reassurance from Mr. Seeno that this project will be of higher quality and better planned than previous projects of his elsewhere, with which I am unimpressed.
Finally, we have to see that the developer is willing to be somewhat flexible in dealing with the needs of the community, rather than just spending a lot of money on elections.
I am not anti development. I very much feel that businesses are necessary for our economic survival during this recession, however, based on what I have seen up until now, I would likely vote 'no' on a project, until I see change in these areas.
There has been a whispering campaign about my candidacy going on in some quarters; implying that I am somehow backed by Mr. Seeno. I was very surprised when I first heard this, but should probably take it as a compliment that I have been a sufficient threat to more establishment candidates to start an ugly rumor. In fact, I am the only candidate in this race backed by no major business or party backers. I only receive support from individuals, and unlike the other candidates, only in denominations of $250 or less. Biggs For Council is the most grassroots of all the campaigns, so it is both ironic and cynical that some have tried to claim that I am backed by a big money backer like Seeno.
Just look around the city; I am not the one who has spent $5000 putting huge signs all over town. My campaign is entirely grassroots and supported by individual voter contributions.
Thanks for the question.
Sincerely,
Jubal Biggs
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