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227 <br /> <br /> Mr. Bob Stevens, 124 Goodman Street, said he thought Simplicity's was the most <br />attractive proposal, though he likes the Belmont Commons proposal except for the <br />density and traffic concerns. He asked where will excess parking be if not enough is <br />provided on the site. Mr. Stevens said the City should create a new road into the <br />property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Dave Norris, 704 Belmont Avenue, a member ofthe Simplicity Group, <br />congratulated Belmont Commons, and said they have some good things in their proposal. <br />He said he is concerned about the process, but is glad to hear that the developers are <br />Committed to involving the neighborhood even though it did not happen earlier. Mr. <br />Norris said that Simplicity took some flack for including lower price range houses and he <br />thinks that is a shame as more needs to be done to accommodate this need. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelle Matiole, 1404 E. Market Street, said we very much need truly <br />affordable housing and any development should include t_Mt. Regarding the process, Ms. <br />Matiole said that though cit/zen involvement occurred early in the process, a decision <br />should not have been made by Council behind closed doors. <br /> <br /> Mr.. Jim Dettor, 1025 Carlton Avenue, said he has lived and owned property in <br />Belmont for 56 years but many of the speakers opposing the property have only been <br />here three to five years. Mr. Detter said Belmont has had a lot of decline and crime, but <br />people are now fixing up properties and Belmont is coming back. Mr. Dettor said that <br />traffic is a valid concern and suggested there may be a way to come in from Carlton <br />Avenue ifjust during the construction with heavy equipment. Mr. Dettor said that <br />Stonehaus has the resources to cam/through with the project and he feels it will be a nice <br />project. <br /> <br /> Ms. Christine Palazzoto, P.ives Street, said she feels the Stonehaus plan is really <br />nice and well thought out, She said she is disappointed that the Simplicity proposal is not <br />part of the plan. She expressed concern with traffic and parking issues. Ms. Palazzolo <br />asked that the one house he allowed to he built on Douglas Avenue and asked that the <br />Simplicity proposal be reconsidered. <br /> <br /> A resident of 1215 Little High Street, a member of the Simplicity Group, said that <br />the process has been disappointing and felt apart at the end.. She said she w~nted areal <br />house with a porch. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he would like to find out more about traffic and parking. Mr. <br />Toscano noted that the traffic projections have varied and asked if the streets can <br />accommodate it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said there has been some discussion about residents using the road next <br />to the tracks to go to the bridge. He said the traffic projections are based on national <br />standards and assume 364 trips per day. Mr. Huja said detached housing has higher trips <br />per day than do condorniniums. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked what the current rating is of the street, but Mr. Huja said that <br />local neighborhood streets are not ranked. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if there is a mechanism for evaluating traffic and said he is <br />interested in staffs ability to study and look at other ak'ematives. Mr. Cox said he <br />remains doubtful about the traffic projections and feels they are exaggerated though he <br />thinks the concerns are legitimate. <br /> <br />Mr. Huja said the only feasible alternative is for an outlet to go to the west. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she is particularly interested in the comments made .about the <br />proposal attracting people who will take stewardship. Ms. Richards said Council has an <br />interest in improving the overall education at Clark School by diversifying the population <br />in BeLmont. She said she would like to see alternative entrances developed. <br /> <br /> <br />