HomeMy WebLinkAboutComment Letter Bamiyan Marketplace (4)June 17, 2022
City of Lake Elsinore
130 South Main Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Re: Proposed Bamiyan Marketplace Development.
Dear Lake Elsinore Planning Commission and City Attorney,
The California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund (CaRLA)submits
this letter to inform the Lake Elsinore Planning Commission that they have an
obligation to abide by all relevant state housing laws when evaluating the proposed
Bamiyan Marketplace mixed-use development.The Housing Accountability Act
requires approval of zoning and general plan compliant projects,such as this one,
unless findings can be made regarding specific,objective,written health and safety
hazards.
As you are well aware,California remains in the throes of a statewide
crisis-level housing shortage.New housing such as this is a public benefit.It will bring
increased tax revenue,new customers to local businesses,decarbonization in the face
of the climate crisis,but most importantly,it will reduce the displacement of existing
residents into homelessness or carbon-heavy car commutes.The laws cited in this
letter are designed to allow and require cities to approve of new homes over the
objection of a small minority of neighbors.Research indicates that the anti-housing
voices frequent in public hearings are disproportionately white,higher-income,and
homeowners.These voices do not represent the best interests of Lake Elsinore or the1
broader community.Approving developments like this one over these vocal objections
is a step towards racial,economic,environmental,and social justice.We urge Lake
Elsinore to approve of this development because it is the right decision for the City
and is required by state law.
CaRLA is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission includes advocating
for increased access to housing for Californians at all income levels,including
low-income households.Consistent with the General Plan,the proposed development
will provide additional badly needed housing and assist the City in achieving a
well-balanced and functional mix of residential,commercial,open-space,
1 Einstein, Palmer, and Glick,Who Participates in Local Government? Evidence from Meeting
Minutes,Perspectives on Politics , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , March 2019
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k4kzph3ynal3xai/ZoningParticipation_Perspectives_Final.pdf?d
l=0
recreational,and institutional land uses.In addition,the proposed Bamiyan
Marketplace development is architecturally harmonious and compatible with the
surrounding area,as it will use colors and materials that blend the development into
the existing landscape.
While no one project will solve the regional housing crisis,the proposed
development located at the northwest corner of Grand Avenue and State Route
74/Ortega Highway is the kind of housing Lake Elsinore needs to mitigate
displacement,provide shelter for its growing population,and arrest unsustainable
housing price appreciation. You may learn more about CaRLA at www.carlaef.org.
Sincerely,
Courtney Welch
Director of Planning and Investigations
California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund
California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund - hi@carlaef.org
2044 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94612