Resident urges council to reject duplex/multiplex builds near Washington Street
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Summary
Rob Ford told the council that increasing duplex and multiplex construction near the college will depress property values in areas where many homes are rentals and urged council to more carefully consider zoning decisions affecting long-term property owners.
During the council’s public-comment period, Rob Ford (identified in the transcript as a resident at 101002 North Neal Street) spoke about a proposed rezoning and a duplex/multiplex being built on Washington Street. Ford said he has met with city staff and a contractor and expressed concern that when 60–65 percent of property owners are landlords and only about 35 percent live in their homes, additional multi-unit rental construction will lower property values and hurt homeowners.
Ford asked the council to "say no" when developers request rezonings that he believes are inconsistent with neighborhood interests. He argued the college has responsibility for student housing and that it is not the city's role to provide that housing.
City staff later addressed the zoning context in the manager’s report, explaining that the specific Washington Street site lies in a multifamily zoning district (an "A-2" classification referenced by staff) where duplexes and multiplexes are consistent with the future land use map and the city's recently adopted comprehensive plan. Staff said the comprehensive plan guides future land use but is not itself enforceable zoning; follow-up zoning-map changes and possible placement decisions would return for public review.
