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Residents urge Bassett Unified to preserve Florence Flanders open space; board agrees to review public‑comment rules
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Bassett Unified School District board to keep a vacant parcel at Florence Flanders as open space rather than lease it for housing. Public commenters also pressed the board to change its sign‑up rules for speakers after the board voted to allow several late arrivals to speak.
Dozens of residents told the Bassett Unified School District Board of Education on Feb. 25 that a vacant parcel at the Florence Flanders site should remain open space for parks and community use instead of being leased for apartments.
The comments came during the meeting’s public‑comment period and included appeals from longtime neighborhood residents who said the site is one of the few remaining green spaces in Bassett and that intensified development would worsen traffic, safety and displacement pressures. Several speakers asked the district to prioritize parkland and youth recreation over private housing development.
The speakers’ remarks followed community disagreement about how the district handles public comment sign‑ups. The board voted to allow four people who arrived after the posted sign‑up deadline to speak; the motion carried 4–1. Board members said they will review existing public‑comment procedures and consider changes to make participation more accessible.
“Please reconsider this proposal to lease the property to Storm Properties,” said a resident identified in the record as Gabriela, who described the site as “our last chance” for a community park and asked the board to work with residents on alternative uses such as a youth center or recreational space.
Resident Manuel Maldonado told the board he would pursue recall efforts against members who, he said, do not follow community wishes. “You were elected to represent the people and to do what people ask you to do,” Maldonado said.
Other commenters emphasized practical concerns if the district allowed housing at the site. A speaker identified as George said the parcel has constrained road access and that any intensified development would “create severe traffic and safety issues.” Several public speakers also referred to a recorded order of condemnation from when the property was acquired, saying that restriction required public benefit uses; the district did not respond to those legal claims during public comment.
On procedure, the board considered motions about late sign‑ups. One motion to allow four late registrants to speak passed 4–1; a subsequent motion to allow an additional late speaker also passed. Board members who voted against late admissions said they were following the district’s current rule that sign‑ups must be completed 30 minutes before the meeting starts.
Board members acknowledged the controversy and said they will pursue changes to board procedures. Vice President Patrice Stanzione and other members said they intended to propose a governance workshop in March or April to review board protocols, public engagement rules and other norms.
The board did not act on any land‑use decision at the Feb. 25 meeting. Multiple speakers asked the board to publicly delay or stop any leasing negotiations until the district consults neighborhood residents; the transcript and agenda show no formal vote or contract award on the Florence Flanders parcel at this meeting.
