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Resident says Habitat for Humanity failed to follow condition requiring vertical railings at Cherry Blossom development
Summary
A Cherry Blossom resident told the committee Habitat for Humanity refused to replace horizontal balcony railings despite a design commission condition calling for vertical railings; she said city staff initially instructed replacement but later did not enforce the directive.
Lacey Sutton testified that parents at the Cherry Blossom development raised safety concerns about horizontal balcony bars that children can climb, and she said Habitat for Humanity refused to replace them even though the design commission had required vertical railings as a condition of approval. "Even before moving into our new homes, parents expressed concerns about having horizontal bars immediately outside the sliding glass door on the 2nd story," Sutton said.
Sutton said she filed complaints with planning and permitting staff and that a supervisor had told her former director Coonhausen met with CEO Steve Messonetti to discuss missed items and that directives were issued to Habitat to replace the railings. She said the city later "reneged" and provided only a memo to council that did not respond to her questions. She urged the city to enforce conditions of approval so safety issues are addressed before harm occurs.
Committee staff did not offer an immediate enforcement action during the public comment period; Sutton said she had previously raised the matter with the bureau and wanted committee members to be aware of the safety and accountability concerns.
