Self-Help receives green light from council
LINDSAY — Housing may receive a boost as the City Council gave the green light for Self-Help Enterprises to start the process of a development.
As Bill Zigler, the city planner explained the approval from the City Council was just the first of many steps that the developer would have to make. The purpose of the presentation was simple.
“There’s no guarantee it is going to be built. Our job as a City Council is to make sure that there’s adequate infrastructure to serve our public. We just have to revise and approve it,” said Zigler who explained that Self-Help came to the council with the project and site plan.
Some of the specifics, like the time line are unknown, but the development would be for income qualified residents. The plan calls for 15 apartment buildings on 6.7 acres on the southeast corner of Westwood Avenue and Apia Street which would house 60 apartment units. The units would be divided as follows; 2 three bedroom units with 1,248 square feet, 28 three bedroom townhouse units with 1,494 square feet and 30 two bedroom units with 985 square feet. The land would also include a picnic area, two grass play areas and a full size basketball court.
Requirements of the site include that the interior noise levels do not exceed 45 decibels and the outside noise levels do not exceed 60 decibels as the site is located next to highway 65.
“You want to make sure that people have a high quality of life,” stated Zigler who added that if the exterior noise levels were to reach the maximum levels than Self Help might have to construct a block wall to reduce noise.
As to the construction of the site when and if Self-Help completes the needed steps, Mayor Pro temp Velasquez asked about the usage of local contractors. According to Zigler, the company will do what it can to use local contractors. However, it must follow federal requirements and if an out-of-area contractor bids lower than a local contractor than their hands are tied.
Overall, if and when the project is completed Zigler is on the fence.
“For people who don’t have adequate housing, heck yeah. Only time will tell if it is an improvement for our community,” said Zigler.
Other business that was discussed included the collaboration with the Consolidated Waste Management Authority to form a waste management disposal plan to dispose of medical sharps waste.
Neyba Amezcua, an associate engineer for the city, talked about the San Luis Obispo ordinance which Lindsay is using to dispose of sharps waste including; but not limited to syringes with contaminated needles, broken pipettes, vials containing biohazard waste, and hypodermic needles. These items will be disposed of at drop-off kiosks located in pharmacies and once full the containers will be picked up by a local contractor who will then dispose of the waste properly. The service is free to taxpayers with the costs borne by the retailers of sharps.
- In other business the council approved a request to enter into a L.S.I.D-El Rancho service water agreement.
