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Residents urge action on affordable housing and question proposed dog‑pound demolition
Summary
Public commenters asked the council to consider building permits or policies that reserve housing for low‑income and senior residents; another commenter urged repairing rather than demolishing the city’s dog pound due to cost concerns.
During the public‑comment portion of the April 15 meeting, three residents raised local issues including housing affordability, the condition of a city animal shelter and municipal code concerns for small businesses.
Nancy Andrew Scheck, who identified her Apache Junction address, asked the council to consider permitting or policy options that reserve a percentage of new housing for low‑income residents and seniors. "A certain percentage should be put aside for the low income and for seniors with limited incomes," Scheck said, adding that some long‑time residents have been forced to move because they cannot afford local housing.
Resident Donna Carr spoke about municipal plans for the city dog pound, saying she believed demolition would waste taxpayer dollars and arguing for repairing the existing building or exploring pest‑removal contractors that do not harm animals. Carr said the city should "fix the old building" instead of tearing it down.
Lori Medina, a local nonprofit director and publisher, addressed the council about proposed changes to city code and how regulations could support local arts, healing and small businesses. Medina asked the council to consider aligning code with community values and said Apache Junction "is ready to lead" in supporting diverse ways people live and work.
Councilmembers offered to schedule a work session on building permit options and policy avenues for affordable housing; staff indicated they can present the city’s current policy for review.
