Why this housing project for this area?

Iam greatly disturbed to read of the decision by the city Finance Committee to go ahead with urban infill by giving their approval to a low-income housing project to be developed at the corner of Zia Road and Yucca Street on donated city of Santa Fe land (“Low-income complex proposal takes step forward,” Oct. 3).

My dismay is generated by the lack of communication by the city of Santa Fe to surrounding neighborhoods who can be negatively impacted by such a development. Where were the notices to households who may have an opinion on the project prior to the city spending our tax dollars on this folly?

First of all, has anyone looked at the traffic impact of such an addition? It is reported that the area would be zoned for 20 houses per acre and on a 5-acre plot. This could result in 100 additional houses and the possibility of 200-plus more vehicles accessing an already congested traffic area. Look at the number of cars that pass through the area in a week’s time and then tell us that it would not be detrimental to surrounding residential areas.

Zia Road is one of the busiest streets in the city, and Yucca Street traffic gets worse every year from Santa Fe High School, school bus traffic and increased commercial traffic daily. All this is a concern to current residents of the area. Now additional cars would be added to the mix compounding the nightmare of trying to get out of our neighborhoods safely.

Why select this project for this particular area? With two high-density apartment complexes within less than 1,000 feet of the proposed site, why does it make sense to add more congestion? Have the schools in the area been consulted as to whether they have the capacity to handle an additional influx of students? I am convinced that the city has other property that can be donated to support low-income housing that will not have such an effect on the citizens in the area.

The city Finance Committee seems to be unusually manic about rushing this project through the studies necessary, but they have already directed city staff to “prepare the city-owned 5-acre property … for donation.” My question is, “Why?” Hey, Councilor Peter Ives, would you be so anxious to push this project through if it was not for your current run for mayor or if the project was destined for your district?