July 28, 2006

Subject: Bay View Community

Hon. Ralph Rubio, Mayor
Members of the City Council
City of Seaside
440 Harcourt Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955

Dear Mayor Rubio and Council Members,

As you know, the owner’s plan to sell the property on Coe Avenue known as the Bay View Community of rental homes is of great concern to many of the residents. It may also have considerable impact on the City of Seaside and surrounding areas. The possible loss of this supply of attractive, affordable family housing could mean that many local workers will be lost as well.

We commend the owner’s long history of good management and his current effort to protect the interests of residents by giving them as much notice and information as possible as to the sale and eventual disposition of the property. While this is a private business transaction, it is also of great public interest. The project was originally built with public funds to help military families who have historically been unable to compete in the Peninsula housing market.

The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula recognizes that the City must respect the right of the owner to sell the property. However, the public is entitled to know what City policies and procedures would apply in the event an application is received that proposes demolition of the existing homes and/or change in land use for the site. For example, an Environmental Impact Report would be required as well as a period of public review and hearings.

Current residents are being offered a financial incentive by the owner to stay on as tenants as long as possible, and help with relocation. He is also making a good faith effort to outline a timeframe in which they must decide whether to move and try and find alternative, affordable housing. There are over 200 households, many with children and pets, for whom this will be very difficult. The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District could experience a considerable loss of students and funding for them.

We urge the Council to take an active interest in helping Bay View residents and consider what practical assistance it could offer them at this point. We suggest sponsoring a community meeting, where administrative and planning staff could answer questions and concerns and explain the City’s housing goals, policies, and programs. The owner of Bay View should of course be invited to participate as well.

The League of Women Voters would be pleased to help with such a meeting.

Sincerely yours,

     Marilyn Maxner, President