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| Ron Alleva | 2/3/2014 4:06:23 PM |
| Continued..... 6/30/10 Robert Spellens Anchorage AK 99501 To whom it may concern: I am a Fairview community member that have called Fairview home for years. I am not pleased to hear that my neighborhood will once again be nominated to house more social services, especially a wet house that offers no rehabilitation. I don’t believe that Rural Cap is concern with the makeup of their future costumers at Karluk Manor. Lets be blunt the demographics of Anchorage Chronic homeless inebriates is not the same as the infamous 1811 Eastlake in Seattle. Our homeless are not old white veterans who drink alone in their rooms. To be blunt ours are generally social drinkers, and to be blunt once again mostly native(I am part native). These people drink in groups, rarely solo. The Fairview Lions Park will offer the perfect congregating area for these folks once they are housed in Karluk Manor. Do not put the Fairview Community in further strife say NO to the conditional use permit. 6/30/10 Olga C. Gomez 99515 My name is Olga Gomez and I have a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development. I am a concerned citizen who would like to express my opinion in regards to the proposed location of the housing first model project, the so called Karluk Manor (housing for severe alcoholics) soon to be located in Fairview. I believe that currently we are putting the needs of these chronic alcoholics ahead of the needs of the community where they will be housed. Are we once again going to put a misguided social program before the needs of our children in Fairview??? Are we once again telling these kids in this low income neighborhood that their safety comes behind that of Chronic Homeless Inebriates??? 500 feet is not too much to ask!!! Say NO to the conditional use permit for RurAL cap, and say YES to the children of Fairview. They are the FUTURE our city!!! 6/30/10 Richard Mierzejewski 99501 As a long time Fairview community member, I have seen many sides of Fairview. The community has changed in many ways. One way it has not changed is the burden put on this neighborhood by the many social services facilities already here. Shelters, food kitchens, detox center and the city jail. And of course this is without mentioning the drug dealing and crime that plague this neighborhood. I have just recently moved to a better neighborhood solely because I wanted to live in an area that was safer. I cannot remember how many times I was woken up at night to a shootout fallowed by the sirens of the cops. Or how many times I was witness to what I know was a drug deal. I stayed in Fairview for so long because I live by myself and as a grown man those things don’t influence my moral compass. I only need to answer for my personal behavior, However I truly feel for the families that call Fairview their home; families that have small children who are exposed to this kind of behaviors. Many of them have no choice to where they live; they end up in Fairview because it is a low income neighborhood and that is all they can afford. I choose to leave Fairview to better myself, these families cannot. These children are the future of our city and we are exposing them violence and complex social problems and adding Karluk Manor to this neighborhood will continue to expose them to social behavior that is not appropriate. I still work in the Fairview area and have been for the past 20 some years. While I lived in the neighborhood I walked to work as it was only a 6 blocks walk. I always knew I was going to encounter drunks on my way to work, and of course the teenagers and grownups that were high on drugs and / or buying and selling them. On my 6 blocks walk to work I would always pass the Lions Park; the park in discussion for the conditional use permit. I can attest to all the inappropriate behavior that goes on at that park. I’ve seen it all and more than I care to mention; from drunks passed out and sleeping in the grass to drunks having sex. I’ve seen this park became a congregational point for teenager selling their drugs and for natives to gather with their friends and drink. By bringing Karluk Manor to our neighborhood we are making sure that all the drunks from our city congregate in one district and our Lions Park will provide a nice public area to meet up with their friends. We are not cleaning up Fairview instead we are bringing the problems of all around our city to Fairview. This is hardly fair to a community already in distress; we keep staggering these complex social problems and dumping them all in one community. Your job at the Planning and Zoning Department is to make sure that we don’t dump all this problems into one community. Your job is to make sure our neighborhoods have a fighting chance for their people and to provide a guided planning for their future as a community. How many more people like me will it take for the city to really pay attention to the overwhelming social problems Fairview has, DON”T ADD ANY MORE. Please listen when we as a community say NO to Karluk manor. 6/30/10 Tina Ponte Each day I bicycle to work through the streets of Fairview. Each day I see a neighborhood trying to rise above its infamous reputation. In summer the community council planting flowers and helping paint and maintain the yards of those less able. I see people trying hard to take pride in a neighborhood often weighted down by the overflow from the well meaning social service faclities in its midst. how much more can this neighborhood take on? The intentions are good, but these are the people that pay the price for every well intended facility that is put in Fairview. Its time for another Anchorage neighborhood to shoulder some of the burden. 6/30/10 Josh Rendon Follow the housing and Neighborhood Development Commissions lead....say NO to the special use permit! 6/30/10 Arkee Johnson 99501 I work and live in Fairview and must commute daily through its streets. I dread the thought of even more of the city’s homeless inebriates being concentrated in one area. Why are we doing such a large project in one location? I already stopped purchasing my groceries at the Carr’s in 13th and Ingra because I hate being hassle by all the drunks and homeless individuals that gather up in this area. And this location has a police substation that obviously cannot handle their constant traffic. And here is Rural Cap trying to tell me that they will be able to control 50 drunks living in once complex. I really have a hard time believing them. Fairview has enough problems already. Please don’t add to it. 6/30/10 Carly Arroyo As a young teenage mother trying to raise my two boys on my own. I already face many hurdles in my future. In the Fairview neighborhood there are already few good examples for my boys.Now the possibility of having 48 of Anchorages worst examples practically across the street frightens me even more. I have no yard for my kids to play in, and already hesitate to take them to the park in our neighborhood to play. Rural CAP can promise they will be safer.... some how I do not believe that will be the case. 6/30/10 Jose Ayala 99501 Fairview already has more than their fair share of services of this kind. No Karluk Manor!!!. The Fairview Community is under siege already. Please put our neighborhood first!!! 6/30/10 Jose A. Gomez 99501 My name is Jose A. Gomez. I am a concerned citizen who does not believe in the Karluk Manor project. I am relying on you to do the right thing and vote NO on July 19,2010. The Planning Department's mission is and I quote "to guide Anchorage land use development and community resources to meet the quality of life, economic, social, environmental, and physical needs of present and future residents. Good planning makes for livable neighborhoods, a safe and healthy community, and a sustainable economy. How land use fits in with housing, transportation, community and economic development gives Anchorage its character." I got this out of your website, please do your job and weight in the consequences of amending the Ordinance and conditional use laws that our assembly set for projects like this. Do your JOB and SAY NO!!! 6/30/10 Amanda Anderson My Name is Amanda Anderson and have been working near the propose location for Karluk Manor. I am very concern with how this will affect me, my coworkers, and how it will affect the neighborhood. What upsets me the most is that this 40 plus chronic alcoholic homeless become more important than the hundreds that already call Fairview their Home. People like me, who work, pay taxes, raise a families and let’s face it people who contribute to our community. Why are we not concern with the social consequences of having a wet house around families or business that have called Fairview home for so many years. I believe this is the wrong location for a project like this. Rural cap needs to find a location that meets the laws and requirements set by the Anchorage Assembly, with no variations and no additional permits. That is why the Assembly set these groups of rules to protect neighborhoods, business and people like me!!! 6/30/10 Shelby Hinson Karluk Manor is a horrible idea! The children in the Fairview area already have enough to contend with now we are going to bring the 48 worst offenders of the drunk and disorderly laws into the neighborhood!!!It isn't enough they get shot through the walls of their homes, can't walk the street without fear,and more often then not have little to no supervision. How do we ever expect to help these children have better lives when we continually dump our problems into their front yards! Say no to the conditional use permit! 6/30/10 Mackenzie Seger It was with great interest that I read the Anchorage Daily News arcticle this week. The glaring ommission of the fact that the HAND Commission voted against recommending the Karluk Manor project to this commity was obvious! The HAND Commission did their job and put the neighborhood first. The Fairview community is hoping this commity does their job as well. Your mission statement says that you are dedicated to"guide Anchorage land and use development to meet the quality of life, economic, social, and physical needs of present and future residents." Please remember this when concidering the conditional use permit....Fairview's future is at stake 6/30/10 Heidi Heinrich The Housing and Neighborhood Developement Commission did their job a few weeks ago when they listened to the the Fairview communities cries of ENOUGH! They took into account that this is a neighborhood already under stress!With more than our fair share of Anchorages social service facilities located within this small area. Please do your job and listen to our community we say NO to Karluk Manor! 6/30/10 Luis Garcia This letter is regarding the purchase of the Red Roof Inn for use a wet house by the Rural CAP organization. There are some major problems with the proposed location that seem unimportant to Rural CAP. They are aware of them yet they are pushing forward with their plans.If we are going to bring a project like this here to Anchorage to help inebriated homeless we owe it to them and ourselves to do it right the first time. Karluk Manor is not the right location for many reason's. The community surrounding the proposed sight is already over burdened with well meaning social service facilities. If we fail in the first attempt there may not be a second. 6/30/10 Angela Ryan Anyone living and working in Fairview for any length of time.has seen the groups of individuals hanging out on the corner of 13th and Gampbell.drinking, fighting, and panhndling.As a resident of Fairview who also works here, I walk to work daily. I am greatly concerned if we open Karluk Manor and bring 48 of these people from all over the city: the corner of 5th and Karluk will soon become the same frightening sight. Is this the first impression we want to make with visiting tourists driving into Anchorage? In the newspaper we are told that Rural CAP is working with the Fairview community, as a member of this neighborhood I do not believe this is so. Amending the law to allow them to be closer then the 500 feet to my neighborhood park is not the right decision. Please listen to the people of Fairview... our opinion on what happens in the neighborhood we call home should matter. 6/30/10 Ty Boita As members of the Planning and Zoning Commity I am sure you are fully aware that 5th and Karluk is the number one corner ticketed for running a red light in Anchorage? Or, maybe your not. According to the traffic unit supervisor from A.P.D. Sergeant Justin Doll this corner garners more tickets then any other in town. The roads themselves are very high traffic. And this is the proposed location of a "wet house"? Inebreates crossing two of the busiest streets in town? Doesn't sound like good planning to me. 6/1/10 Kristy Crosby 1333 A East 9th Ave. Anchorage AK 99501 I am opposed to conversion of the motel to a facility for chronic inebriates. First - what is the municipality's liability if an inebriate, purposely housed in a facility on one of the busiest corners in Anchorage, steps out into traffic and is injured or killed? Second - what about the residents of Fairview? Fairview Lion's Park is generally a mess and unsafe for children because of the inebriates who hang out there. I have observed inebriates engaging in noisy sex in the porta-potties, in broad daylight. I've watched them beat each other up. I've watched them urinate and defecate in random spots in the park, despite the porta-potties. I've seen them urinate and defecate down the children's slide and other playground equipment. Groups of inebriates wander through the neighborhood, pass out on lawns, and scream and curse at residents. Third - who benefits from this transaction? I suspect the Red Roof Inn has been a financial disaster for the owners. Who approached whom in getting this deal started? What a coincidence that a failing motel suddenly becomes the perfect place to house hard-core inebriates. Fourth - Why must we, the residents of Fairview, be forced to subsidize the destruction of our neighborhood? Those in support of this plan essentially claim that this won't cost the residents of Anchorage anything because it will be funded by grants. Well where in the world do you suppose that grant money comes from? The Feds don't make money; that money comes out of working people's pockets. Fifth - The claims about the success of the program in Seattle are highly over-stated. Read the studies and the information. Read the truth about what that program is costing the city, and the dismal outcome for the residents. 6/1/10 Les Gara 716 W. 4th Avenue, Room 310 Anchorage AK 99501 The following is the text of an earlier letter I wrote this spring noting our concerns about the Red Roof Inn proposal, and that the proposed location is inappropriate given the legitimate safety concerns expressed by neighbors and area residents. I would add these thoughts to the sentiments expressed in my earlier letter. I do think treatment for those who qualify for the Housing First model can make sense, if done in an appropriate setting. I understand the Red Roof Inn was picked because of its attractive, discounted price. But the proper location for such a facility is not in a residential neighborhood, at least not one where the residents express legitimate safety concerns as is the case here. If an affordable and proper alternate location cannot be found, I do think the City, and possibly the state, should help with a reasonable level of needed funds, but only in a non-residential location, where safety concerns for neighbors are not an issue, and only for a plan that will lead to effective treatment. I have supported increased alcoholism and substance abuse treatment for those willing to undertake the effort to address their addictions. That is the right thing to do, and will save us costs, and agony in the long run. But choosing a location that is inappropriate, just because it is offered at an attractive price, is not the proper approach for this facility in my view. The body of my earlier letter from this winter on this subject follows: Re: Red Roof Inn: Wrong Location for a Needed Solution Dear Neighbors: During the first month of the legislative session, I’ve been working on a full slate of projects, and, at the same time, have been hit with a full court press by the oil industry for corporate tax reductions on oil production. While that’s been in the press, I want you to know I haven’t forgotten about the Red Roof Inn issue in Fairview. Two weeks ago we received a presentation on the topic in the House Finance Committee. While I believe strongly in helping people who want to help themselves, I think the Red Roof Inn is the wrong location for the Mental Health Trust Authority’s “Housing First” project. It is too close to our neighbor’s homes in Fairview, and should be located in a place much further from a high density, established neighborhood. I do think that, if placed away from homes, the Housing First concept has enough promise to give it a try. Alcohol is the main driver of crime in our state, and pretending people will get better on their own, or that the violence, danger, and distress caused by alcohol abuse will disappear on its own is wishful thinking. I have long been a proponent of cutting the waiting lists at effective alcoholism and substance abuse treatment centers for those who are willing to work towards recovery. For example, Anchorage’s main heroin addiction treatment center has a waiting list of over a year. I have pushed to fix that – because if we don’t, heroin users will continue to feed heroin dealers, continue to commit drug crimes, and continue to feed the cycle of neighborhood crime, family destruction and community danger. Six and twelve month long waiting lists for alcoholism and substance abuse treatment centers make no sense when the treatment is for those willing to help themselves. Waiting lists increase crime, increase the time children are taken away from parents in need of treatment, and I will continue to call for a fix to that problem. Here are a few things I’d say about the Housing First concept, which I think is worthy of a try AWAY from a residential community. On the positive side, Housing First does drastically reduce Community Service patrol pick ups. At least a portion of those who’d enter treatment truly want to improve their lives, and indirectly, ours. On the other hand, I have to say that I haven’t yet been convinced it shows miraculous results in weaning people away from alcohol abuse. Those statistics aren’t as clearly positive. Maybe the latter is too much to ask for when people are dealing with an addiction. I do respect that the project aims to help those who are willing to be treated, so my ears are open to hearing more evidence. But the bottom line is that the project should not be placed at the Red Roof In location. That poses a problem for the promoters of the project – since the Red Roof Inn came at a low sales price. But the solution is to find a better location, with community help, and not fund this one. The following is an excerpt from my statement during the House Finance Committee Hearing. In addition, I am sending our last e-mail newsletter for your information. House Finance Committee, February 4, 2010. “So let me get to Housing First because we’re going to have to, there’s a budget proposal that we’re all going to have to think about on it. The bad part of it is what Representative Kelly has said. You know, you spend a lot of money to get someone from 15 drinks to ten drinks, and for those of us who aren’t inside your profession, that doesn’t seem like a staggering success to spend a lot of money on. . . . And there is a concern about putting this inside of an established neighborhood. I mean if we’re going to experiment with something new to the scene like this, I don’t think that it goes on an established neighborhood.” 6/1/10 Johnny Ellis 716 W 4th Ave, Room 500 Anchorage AK 99501 As a resident of Fairview and the State Senator representing this neighborhood, I am very concerned about the proposed location for Rural CAP's housing first program at the Red Roof Inn. Due to myriad safety concerns and the potential negative impact on the neighborhood, I am unable to support this project in the currently proposed location at Karluk Street and Fifth Avenue. | |
| Ron Alleva | 2/3/2014 4:05:32 PM |
| Continued.... 7/9/10 maria m crandel What ever happen to putting FAMILIES FIRST !!! Are we not concern with how a wet house will affect a low income neighborhood that already has more than its share of social services in their area??? Adding one more is not good planning from our City. And worst of all they will be located within a block from one of the few parks Fairview has for its children. Please say no to the conditional use. It’s your job to put our Fairview Families first!!! 7/9/10 Camilla Senter I do not support the location of Karluk Manor. As our first Housing first project Anchorage needs to make sure it is done right from the beginning. I expect the zoning and planning committee to do their job and analyze if this is within the vision of our city, and specifically Fairview. This location is poor urban planning. Say not to the conditional use that is being requested. 7/9/10 Gloria Hume Anch Ak No Karluk Manor in Fairview! 7/9/10 Paul Kuntz Anch Ak I do not support the conditional use permit for Karluk Manor, and believe that if the planning and zoning commission does their job they won't either. 7/9/10 S J. Klein PO Box 100834 Anchorage AK 99510 I am strongly against Karluk Manor for the following reasons: 1- Traffic: Karluk Manor will result in an increase in inebriates walking one of the busiest road interchanges in Anchorage. The Highway to Highway traffic study has shown that this area is overburdened with traffic. It is an accident waiting to happen 2- Underresourced: The management plan for Karluk Manor fails to provide robust social services on site for its residents. I have discussed this issue with the author of the JAMA article they reference, and robust on-site services are a necessary part of the successful housing first model. The management plan submit does not follow the model, and thus will be an experiment which will have negative impacts on the residents and neighbors. 3- Distance to Park: Being less than 500' from Fairview Lions Park is an attraction for illegal behavior. Their plan is to react to problems, but the fact that there is no outdoor or common area where residents can drink means that there is going to be a problem in the parks nearby. The variance request for the 500' rule should be rejected. 4- Responsibility for residents and visitors: Spillover effects can be expected from visitors and residents of the facility, and the management plan is lacking in mitigation measures to prevent inebriate behaviors that would impact neighbors. 5- Policy 62: This neighborhood is already impacted by the Sleep-Off Center, Brother Francis, the Mental Health Web, Beans Cafe, and McKinnel House. A wet facility in the middle of this neighborhood unfairly concentrates residential services for chronic inebriates into too small an area, in violation of Policy 62 of the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan. 6- Bad Precedent: This project is being proposed because it is something they can do right away, however it fails to meet the minimal requirements of the Alcohol Dependent Housing land use for distances to parks, fails to address spillover effects in the neighborhood, and fails to meet the goals of Policy 62 of the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan. This sets a bad precedent for the first Alcohol Dependent Housing project to come before Planning and Zoning. Doing it right, in the right location, and with the right management plan should not be sacrificed for expedience. Fairview is littered with well-intentioned, under-resourced and poorly executed social service projects. We do not need another. 7/8/10 Sydney Crest 8651 carter circle anchorage ak 99507 I find it most telling that Mayor Sullivan himself does not support this location! 7/8/10 Deeann Herrington Rural CAP has compared this facility to 1811 Eastlake in Seattle time and time again. However, listening to Kenny Scollen speak at the senior center last week I was shocked when he said there would be one, or two employees staffing the facility at all times. One, or two??? And they are assuring the Fairview community that they will have no security issues?!? Doesn't sound like common sense to me. 7/8/10 Kimberly Fox Help those who help themselves! I have been taught that since I was a child! Without requiring drying out as a condition for living in these facilities, I cannot support them! 7/8/10 Russel Meeks I do not support Karluk MANOR! 7/8/10 Karen Ross Anchorage Ak I attended the Housing and Neighborhood Development meeting in June, and was very pleased that the commission listened to the views of the Fairview community. I am counting on the Planning and Zoning Commission to do the same! Fairview is a neighborhood already over burdened by social services. We are not NIMBY's, we just have too much in our backyard as it is! 7/8/10 W. Hertzler I am frustrated beyond belief that this idea is even being concidered, let alone the location currently proposed! Once again I am reminded why our country is in the shape its in! 7/8/10 Debbie Stojak 830 Nelchina Street The conditional use permit for Karluk Manor should be denied for the following reasons: 1)Unfortunatley, good data on the demographics of the residential population that will be closest to this faciltiy are not available and/or have not been made available. Unlike the majority of individuals that have provided comments, I am intimately familar with the demographics of this area and I feel certain that there is a very high concentration of children under the age of 15 that reside near Fairview Lions Park relative to other areas in Anchorage. This is particularly true because of the proximity to the Park View Manor and in general, the high density popultion in fairview. The criteria used by RuralCap in locating this facility ONLY considered what the location could do for its facility and not visa versa. In Fairview, we have a high concentration of children who already suffer the consequences of a low-income, social service environment. I think it is only honest to admit that there exists a risk of negative consequences from the proposed Karluk Manor and that risk should be farther from such a high concentration of children. 2) The potential residents of Karluk Manor demand robust social services. Other than the lofty services descrbied by RuralCap from the onsite Resident Service Provider, Rural Cap is not offering any internal services. This is an absolute necessity for recovery for these individuals. 3) I am not convinced, unlike the majority of commentators, that placing an individual in a 200 square foot room smack in the middle of two highways, in a neighorhood with a high concentration of non-recovering alcoholics, and paying their rent for the forseeable future, promises the dignity or respite needed for successful recovery. 4) The Commission should be concerned with increasing its tax base within its core and discouraging the current exodus of families, business, etc. to the valley. Concentrating social services in one area is a sure way to lower property values and decrease the tax base. 5) The comments accusing Fariview residents of NIMYism are insulting and misguided and the inherent irony is hard to swallow for individuals who work so hard to improve Anchorage's urban core. 6) Please see Allen Kemplen's comment again; I agree, the conditional use permit does not comport with the Comprehensive Plan. 7/8/10 Donna Millwood Totally against 2010-077!!!! I am a 67 year resident of Anchorage. 7/8/10 Judy Marsh 2700 Greenscreek circle I have lived in Anchorage for over 50 years and I have been going to the Lucky Wishbone almost since it opened. I believe this would be bad for their family atmosphere and I should not contend with a drunk house across the street! 7/8/10 Sue Easterly 1526 Bannister dr. The old Red Roof should not be used as a treatment or the housing alcholol dependent people. The corner is too busy for their safety and would probably be a nuisance to the surrounding businesses. I have been a resident of Anchorage for over 50 years and do not want to see this sort of facility in this area. 7/8/10 Raymond Nesbett To Purchase the property, without informing the public, and before teh required municipal permits and approvals were obtain, lacks good faith and demostrates the arogance of the petitioner. The entired process of this approval is tainted by the behaivior of Rural Cap. The petition should be denied. 7/7/10 Allen Kemplen 1552 Orca Street Anchorage AK 99501 Dear Commission Members, In the community conversations associated with crafting of the Anchorage Bowl Comprehensive Plan, there emerged a prevailing agreement that we should avoid some of the known urban problems seen in metropolitan areas. One of the more objectionable urban ills was the creation of a "Skid Row." This is why the Comp Plan incorporated a policy of having support services decentralized throughout the urban area. Skid Row - noun, a city district frequented by vagrants and alcoholics and addicts. Establishing a wet house for 48 of the approximately 250 chronic public inebriates two blocks from the city sleep-off center and institutional support services conflicts with the Comp Plan. The City Sleep-Off Center receives inebriates from all over and, once they are deemed sober, releases them out the front door. Karluk Manor will become a magnet for these individuals as they visit friends residing at the facility. It is highly probable there will be increased pedestrian traffic between Karluk Manor, other social support facilities and the nearest liquor stores. Even if adequate funds are available for a robust property and site management regime, the adjacent blocks will experience an increase in the number of vagrants and inebriates. Public spaces will witness accelerated wear and tear due to the volume of vagrants and inebriates. Fairview Lions Park, as the nearest open public space with amenities will be especially hard hit. The vagrants and inebriates will have a significant visible impact at the eastern gateway to the urban core. Karluk Manor will be one of the anchor tenants of an expanding skid row at the entrance to our City The approval of a conditional use for Karluk Manor with its resultant negative externalities runs counter to the goals of the Downtown Plan and the draft Fairview Community Plan. The proposed Conditional Use runs counter to the policies of the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan. The request for a Conditional Use Permit should be denied. 7/7/10 Sarah Kruse A housing unit for inebriates between two of the busiest streets in Anchorage.....logical? NOT!! 7/7/10 Sarah Kruse A housing unit for inebriates between two of the busiest streets in Anchorage.....logical? NOT!! 7/7/10 Jerry Brown anchorage The HAND commission did their job and put the neighborhood of Fairview first. Planning and Zoning please do yours and keep Karluk Manor out of Fairview!!! 7/7/10 Kyla Hardesty I have many issues with Rural CAP and how this whole business of Karluk Manor has gone. They have snuck around every step of the way claiming to have the best interests of Fairview in mind. Every step of the way they have barged ahead despite how this community feels about the project. Shame on them, this is not in the best interest of our neighborhood! 7/7/10 Holly Wahlen anchorage 99507 I say NO to Karluk Manor!!! 7/5/10 heidi heinrich 8750 carter circle anchorage 99507 AT THE MEETING HELD BY RURAL CAP LAST WEEK I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE CONFUSED THE FACT THAT FAIRVIEW COMMUNITIE'S NOT WANTING KARLUK MANOR IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD MEANT THE PEOPLE OF FAIRVIEW LACKED HUMANITY. ONE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER. WE ARE SIMPLY SAYING WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THESE TYPE OF SERVICES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 7/5/10 jan heinrich I have been a resident of Anchorage for over 45 years. I do not believe Karluk Manor is the answer to Anchorages inibriated homeless issues. 7/5/10 sierra wahlen I DO NOT SUPPORT KARLUK MANOR! 7/3/10 Ty Bolder The sight of an individual too drunk to stand, lying in the bushes is not a pretty one. No one grows up planning to be a drunk. However isn’t it amazing that over the past few years that both a father and a son from the same family died on Anchorage’s streets? This leaves me thinking that perhaps if there was a facility that tough sobriety , that required its tenants to abstain; maybe this father would have been this sort of example for his son. If we are to embrace this effort, this is not the way! 7/3/10 Brittany Miller I have been a resident of Anchorage for most of my life; the chronic alcoholics that roam our streets are not a new sight. What is new is the idea of housing them altogether in a so called wet house. It is astonishing to me that the folks at Rural Cap believe they can control these folks when they are intoxicated with a limited staff. On the occasions I have had to have confrontations it is always unpredictable in nature. One minute you have a jovial drunk, the next a fuel fledge maniac. Putting 48 together in one building doesn’t sound like a feasible idea to me. 7/3/10 June Jones The Idea that absolutely no effort is being put into requiring the tenants of the Karluk Manor to cease and desist with the alcohol is enough reason for me to say No to Rural Cap. 7/3/10 Shelby Mundell Shame on Rural Cap for tooting their own horn in the Daily News leading people to believe they would have made these changes if the HAND commission had not shot them down. Their plan needs lots of improvements before I am willing to say Yes. 7/3/10 Howard Harris 510 L Street #1001 Anchorage AK 99501 I am writing in opposition to this facility and specifically it's location. We operate a warehouse nearby and have no interest in attracting further problems to the area. This location is a busy intersection that is gateway to our city which needs to upgraded in terms of use rather than denegraded by this type of facility. The recent opening of a corporate facility in the same block was a good omen for interest in improving the area that is now likely to be devalued by the proposal to house inebriates next door. 7/3/10 Carmen Baker 305 W 5th Ave Anchorage AK 99501 We have a warehouse on 1036 E 4th. We have pay an employee to spend, at least a half hour each morning to pick up after the "clients" of The Brother Francis shelter and Beans Cafe'. Some mornings this means literally waking people up who are sleeping it off underneath one of the container trucks, some mornings this means Mike is cleaning human excrement from our lot. This behavior will only increase as we add yet one more facility in Downtown / Fairview area for inebriates to congregate. An area that is already overburdened with inebriate services. Instead of adding one more blight to the neighbor hood why not encourage legitimate commerce that will INCREASE property values rather than bring them down. This is a problem with no clear solution, and I am not without sympathy for the effected individuals; but we can't continue letting this small population bring down the hard work and diligent efforts of a community valianlty trying to raise the standards of living in their neighborhood. Please do not permit the "Red Nose INN" to operate in this renaissance community. 7/1/10 Patric Montero Personally, I think that this should be somewhere OTHER than in Fairview. They have too many problems as it is, and many of it's community members are trying to clean things up. Dumping 50 proven chronic inebriates will cause more problems. More drunks will gravitate towards the place in hopes of a bed, and camp in the local parks, destroy personal property (whizzing on the bushes being the least of the problems, stepping in human excrement while collecting the morning paper, etc), and generally cause a problem for traffic as they panhandle, jaywalk, etc. 7/1/10 Jason McKinney All this housing unit will be is another move that will enabling those that choose this lifestyle to continue it. Beans Cafe, the Community Patrol Van and other such organizations that coddle these people that are Hell Bent on killing themselves are doing is enabling them to continue. I believe that if a drunk is treated like what he is, a criminal, you will get better results. If a person wants out of this lifestyle, no one other than themselves is going to get it done! No amount of free rides, free meals, free places to pass out and sober up or anything other than personal desire is going to make them stop. If you can be a street bum, not work etc and someone is going to feed, cloth and provide you with a warm secure place to sleep, why should you change? We don't need to treat these people any different than any other criminals. Arrest, jail, and put them in front of a judge: if guilty of a crime, sentence them to confinement with a work detail program to clean the streets of Anchorage, the roadside ditches etc. I will wager if the free rides are no longer there the numbers of public inebriates will drop drastically. Yes you are going to have the people who are currently employeed caring for these individuals shouting this is the wrong way to proceed, but I strongly disagree. Criminals need to treated as such, not rewarded for illegal behavior. 7/1/10 Richard Wood $500,000 for 24/7 staff, utilities, maintenance, repairs, housekeeping is questionable. Let those who approve this venture guarantee expenses with their salaries. I don't believe all Rural Cap is saying. Say no to Karluk Manor. 7/1/10 Chelsey M. Fisher Everyone is so willing to say yes to Karluk Manor because it’s not in their back yard… I understand The Fairview community and I support their efforts to STOP Karluk Manor. Place a facility like this in an industrial area where it won’t affect families. 7/1/10 Anna Morris Many are not concern with the cries of the Fairview community. Don’t you think we need to listen to this community that already has experience in providing services for the needy? They know how involve with the community providers continue to be once they open their facilities. I say NO to Karluk Manor, I am following the advice of the Fairview Community. 7/1/10 Amanda Mojorro Please DO NOT grant the conditional use permit for Karluk Manor. WE need to find a better location for this project. Many believe that the Fairview community is not compassionate and is afraid of change; Unfortunately that is not the case. The Fairview community has and will continue to help our many social services to continue helping the many homeless in our community. The problem is that we already carry the burden of caring and providing for this group in society. The city of anchorage needs to step up and help us provide for them too at alternative locations. 7/1/10 Josh Hanson I do not Support Karluk Mannor. 7/1/10 Brandon Kang I see the need to help the homeless, but why do we have to allow them to continue to drink??? This is wrong. I do not support Karluk Manor. 7/1/10 Alan Oswald I do not support Karluk Mannor... we need other options. 7/1/10 Mabel Paterson I DO NOT support Karluk Manor. As a long time member of the Fairview community, and someone who walks to work, I too witness the need to help those who are homeless and struggling with alcoholism and disability. I believe in the Housing concept but NOT IN FAIRVIEW. Fairview has too many services already offered for the homeless and needy we need to spread the wealth and have our city share our burden. 7/1/10 Nancy K. Bell The location of the proposed Karluk Manor is between 5th avenue and 6th avenue 2 main roads that are bordering the building, roads that have very high traffic. I have personally talked to the Traffic Unit Supervisor from APD Sergeant Justin Doll and we have discussed how the corner of 5th avenue and Karluk is one of the highest ticketed locations for running a red light. This would be a hazard for inebriated individuals like the individuals living in Karluk Manor, especially since they will be crossing the street to visit the bar that is less than 200 feet from their new home. WE MUST find a better location!!! 7/1/10 Cam P I do NOT support Karluk Manor. 7/1/10 Matt Nelson 1811 Eastlake has a nick name on the streets of Seattle. It’s called the “Death House” because in the first eight months of being open six of its residents died from alcohol related deaths. The fire department responded 148 times in these same 8 months, every one of these 148 visits were for medical assistance. Statistically RURAL CAP says it will save the city money in the short term, but as the people that are housed in these apartments are allowed to continue to drink their bodies will continue to deteriorate from alcohol related illnesses and substance abuse and thus require more medical care in the future. What is the estimated cost of health care for these individuals in the long run??? I do not belive Karluk Manor will be as succesfull as rural Cap says they will make it. Say NO. 7/1/10 Summer Ryan Will the residents of the Karluk Mano be the same group of people we see gathered on the corner of 13th and Ingra @ the Carr’s and Oken Keg liquor store??? How will Rural Cap prevent them from hanging in groups and panhandle like they do at 13th and Ingra. 10 Staff members will not be enough to control 48 individuals. I do not support Karluk Manor!!! 7/1/10 Sandra J. Miranda I do not support the propose location for our first “housing first project”. It is vital that our city does this project right from the beginning. Let me mention a few of the most glaring problems with the proposed project: 1. The Red Roof Inn Motel is being made to fit the program. The building is an old run down motel and cannot be compared to the state of the art building that Seattle 1811 Eastlake facility is. Their success is due to their facility layout and precise designs that were made to house this individual. Rural cap is not adopting the full model from Eastlake. Rural cap is only implementing what they feel would fit the building of Red Roof Inn. 2. The location of Red Roof Inn is a big concern. Not only is it located in a rundown neighborhood with lots of low income housing but it is also right in the middle of two of the busiest streets in towns with lots of high speed traffic. When one of these individuals gets rundown while attempting to cross the street and the city gets sued is Rural Cap going to carry the burden or will our city be responsible? 3. Fairview is a neighborhood that has many burdens to carry and once again we are dumping one more public service at their door. What will happen to the many families who live in the area, who are trying to raise a family and once again their community is force to house more of the “undesirables” that contribute nothing to any community and drain all. I understand that we must be compassionate to those who are less fortunate than us. I understand that we must try to help those who need us, and I understand that if we choose to do nothing that helps no one. But I truly believe that we must also rank our priorities and analyze where we spend our money. 7/1/10 Jim Miller I DO NOT support the development of the Karluk Manor and the efforts of RurAL CAP to make this happen. I do support housing first but why are we consentrating services all in one area??? 6/30/10 Carol Pearcy Anchorage AK 99508 Building this facility in that location is a huge mistake for many reasons: 1. High traffic area 2. Too close to public park 3. Too close to other shelters, soup kitchens, and the detox center already in this neighborhood 4. The building is not suitable for this kind of facility I am counting that on July 19, 2010 you will vote “NO” to the requested conditional use permit. It is your civic duty to weight all the consequences and to analyze the possible outcomes. VOTE NO!!! | |
| Ron Alleva | 2/3/2014 12:28:29 PM |
| I own 13 parcels within the 2500 feet of Karluk Manor, however, I did not receive a copy of this or any other surveys. I find this to be unacceptable. I also find the questions to be bias and leading without the opportunity to express the true negatives of this project. The data they put forward should be considered flawed. The commission should review a non-bias review of the effects of this facility. There should include economic impacts of what the spirit and intent of the conditional use was granted for. Did it save lives? No, more people died at Karluk Manor than on the street including one of their residents. Did it save the city resources, police, fire, medical calls, etc.? No! To follow, how mahy calls were made to Karluk Manor? In fact, medical costs increased as the clients were diagnosed with more medical conditions and given more evaluations and medical treatment. As for cost savings to the tax payers and local economy, huge losses have gone undocumented including properties off the tax rolls. Also, loss of 200+ annual jobs which Copper River Seafoods would have created if they would have been allowed to purchase and use the property. If one was aware of Rural Cup main office being located in the same Fairview community, one should remember their e-mail list to get people to support their position and answer the survey. I believe that review of the comments of the following people should help the commission in determining whether proper and accurate questions were asked and answered. To believe this data would be similar to getting a report from the fox on the condition of the hen house. This report should be presented at a public hearing before the commission allowing for a fair and non-bias reporting on results of this conditional use. 8/9/10 brandy pennington 1423 karluk anch ak 99501 The muni has already spent milllions of dollars trying to clean up fairview. I do not understand why they would want to regress. Can you please tell me what the chances of this karluk mannor house beign approved? THANK YOU for your time Kindly, Brandy P 7/26/10 Edna Frankle My husband and I have lived in Anchorage for 53 years. The deaths of the homeless alcoholics are nothing new, we just hear about it more due to the media. Our tax money would be much better spent taking care of the homeless families in Anchorage. Help those who help themselves! 7/26/10 Carolina Stacey There are many questions that we as the Fairview community have asked our politicians, city official and Rural Cap. Now we are asking you; the members of the Patting and Zoning committee; to put our Fairview community First. It seems like we have heard little or nothing about the negative impacts Karluk Manor will have on our business and residents. Rural Cap paints a rosy picture of great success; and we know their intentions are good; but unfortunately more is needed than just words to make their good intentions become actions that will benefit our community. Rural Cap always talks about how great it is for these 40 some inebriate homeless individuals to have a place they can call home. The question is: How did this 40 plus individuals become more important than the hundreds that already call Fairview their home. People like me, who work, pay taxes, raise families and let’s face it people who contribute to our Community. Why are we not concern with the social consequences and the negative impacts a facility like his one will have around our families and businesses that have called Fairview home for many years. Rural Cap concentrates their efforts in providing services for the needy but they focus their efforts solely on those they serve and often forget the negative impacts these individuals bring to the rest of society. They need to serve the needy but also they need to look at the greater picture and serve our city as a whole. You as part of the Zoning and Planning committee must understand the question and decision at hand. You are deciding if a facility like this one meets the requirements to grant their conditional use and if their request for variance is necessary. As the Planning and Zoning committee you may only approve the conditional use if the commission finds that ALL of the following 4 standards are satisfied: 1. How will the proposed conditional use for Karluk Manor furthers the goals and policies of the comprehensive development plan and conforms to the comprehensive development plan in the manner required by AMC 21.05 2. How will the proposed conditional use for Karluk Manor conforms to the standards for the use in this title and regulations promulgated under this title. 3. How will the proposed conditional use for Karluk Manor will be compatible with existing and planned land uses in the surrounding neighborhood and with their intent of use district. 4. How will the proposed conditional use for Karluk Manor will NOT have a negative impact on the items listed below: a. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic circulation and safety. b. The Demand for and availability of public services and facilities. c. Noise, air, water or other forms of environmental pollution d. The maintenance of compatible and efficient development patterns and land use intensities. I would like to address several points that in my opinion are often misrepresented by Rural Cap in their attempt to charm supporters and politician. Some of these points are directly part of the conditional use standards and some are not but are important enough that I feel I need to bring them to your attention. A fact that Rural Cap likes to bring up often is the number of deaths our city has experience in the last couple of years. Many of the homeless drinkers that passed away the past few years bringing this whole “Homeless Taskforce” into existence did not die from hypothermia or from being without a home. They died due to health complications due to alcohol related issues. Their health has been affected by the many years of alcohol abuse and if they continue this cycle a roof over their heads will not stop the dying. 1811 Eastlake has a nick name on the streets of Seattle. It’s called the “Death House” because in the first eight months of being open six of its residents died from alcohol related deaths. The fire department responded 148 times in these same 8 months, every one of these 148 visits were for medical assistance. Statistically RURAL CAP says it will save the city money in the short term, but as the people that are housed in these apartments are allowed to continue to drink their bodies will continue to deteriorate from alcohol related illnesses and substance abuse and thus require more medical care in the future. What is the estimated cost of health care for these individuals in the long run??? Margaret King a manager from 1811 Eastlake was quoted in the New York Times saying that resident’s health problems were already driving up medical cost, this is in 2006 after 8 months from opening. WE need to hear the good and bad about the Seattle Experiment. Not only the good. I am not even going to bring up the differences in budget and robust services that Seattle offers and has access to; that will not be offer in Karluk Manor. I understand that with their low budget they could not afford nor could they provide such services and I also understand that the conditional use limits this services too, so we won’t go into that. Another point that has been largely under played by Rural Cap is the traffic in both 5th and 6th avenue. Rural cap has continuously mentioned that there will not be additional pedestrian traffic from the traffic that the old Red Roof Inn was generating. However most tourists either rent a vehicle or use taxi services. The residents of Karluk Manor will not be using vehicles as many do not have driver’s licenses or they will be on foot as they depend on public transportation. When Rural Cap says there will not be an increase in pedestrian traffic they are misrepresenting and underestimating the needs of the population they will be serving. They support their statement mentioning that the pervious use of Red Roof Inn created the same level of pedestrian traffic as Karluk Manor will be creating and they quote the Traffic Department stating that they do not believe that the site will result in any significant increase in pedestrian traffic or safety issues. They believe the proposed use is likely to reduce traffic volumes from the previous use of the site. I have personally talked with Justin Doll one of the traffic supervisors from APD who has mentioned how 5th avenue and Karluk is the most ticketed red-light in town. This is a major safety concern for these inebriated homeless individuals. This is without mentioning all the vehicle to vehicle collisions that both 5th and 6th avenue have. Rural Cap has gone on record mentioning that over the past 11 years there have only been 2 pedestrian accidents on those corners. I have witnessed 2 accidents in the past few years alone that involved pedestrians. I am sure everyone remembers the homeless individual that was run by an 18-wheeler on 6th avenue and there was another accident on 5th avenue where a customer leaving the Lucky Wishbone was hit but an SUV as she was crossing the intersection on 5th. Those 2 accidents come to mind of the many that occur in those intersections. It would be irresponsible to house inebriate individuals in a location that could put their lives at risk. I would like to know who will be responsible if one of their tenants gets kill while crossing these intersections. Will it be Rural Cap or will it be the city??? There many other points I could address but I am witness of the testimony that many other members of our community made on July 19th, 2010. So I won’t burden you with unnecessary text. I will however touch one more point that is important to me. Policy 62 from the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan 2020 states: Distribute throughout the Municipality residential facilities that are supported by government agencies and operated for health, social services, or correctional purposes. Karluk Manor will be supported by various government agencies and will be operated for both health and social service purposes. Adding one more facility offering such services in a neighborhood that is already burden with highly disproportionate quantities of public services for the very same population they will be servicing is not in the cities plan. Instead is poor planning. The Planning and Zoning staff report has confirmed that the location of this facility will result in an overburden to this community and does not comply with Policy 62 of our Anchorage Comprehensive Plan 2020. I am satisfied and believe in the committee to do the right thing. To follow the rules that are set upon you to make this decision and to not be influence by social service providers whom have constantly asked you to be compassionate and allow this facility to become a reality. Vote No on the conditional use permit. 7/26/10 Heidi Heinrich 1033 east 5th ave Anchorage Ak 99501 In discussions of the proposed Karluk Manor it is consistently compared to the 1811 Eastlake project in Seattle. Unfortunately there are some glaring differences not being discussed. The Seattle example is located in a higher end area of Seattle not in an area already plagued by inebriated people, sleep of shelters, detox centers, soup kitchens, and the city jails. The demographics of the inhabitants of 1811 Eastlake are very different then those of the proposed Karluk Manor. Over 60% of those living in the Seattle facility are older white males, generally solo drinkers. In Anchorage that will not be the case. Here the demographics of our homeless chronic inebriates are not solo drinkers. Our camps and corners are full of groups in which drinking is a social activity. Those of us who have lived and worked in Fairview for any length of time know this. The residents of Karluk Manor would be these same groups we see gathered on the corners. Corners like 5th and Ingra, where the Carrs and Oaken Keg stores are located. Who doesn’t reach over and lock their car door when they catch the red light there? The owner, George Brown and the management of the Lucky Wishbone are concerned. We are concerned the corner of 5th and Karluk will soon have the same reputation. With our restaurant located directly across the street from this facility how can you possibly assure us that our business will not suffer? We are a family restaurant, a business that has been part of this community since 1955. That’s 55 years of welcoming Alaskan families, 55 years of employing Alaska’s youth. How can we assure our customers and our employees that the family atmosphere of the Lucky Wishbone will not be affected by the wet house called Karluk Manor. We are very aware of the plans to house the 55 worst offenders of the CSP system. The children of Fairview already are at a greater risk then in any other area of Anchorage. They deal with the violence of those involved in drug trafficing. Now, are we going to add this new danger to their lives. This project will put unpredictable chronic alchoholics well within the 500 foot area surrounding the children’s park. These zones are set by our city council to protect our children. Again I would ask you, why are these people being put before the people that live and work in Fairview? Would you want your young son or daughter living, playing, or working next to this housing facility? During the public hearing last Monday evening Mrs. Yoshimura mentioned a facility in her neighborhood that she hadn’t realized was there. I would like to ask Mrs. Yoshimura, and all the members of this commission, to really think about whether or not a facility the size of Karluk Manor, housing the same homeless chronic inebriates would go unnoticed in their neighborhood. And how would your neighbors view your support of such a project? And please, while thinking this question over remember the social service facilities already existing in Fairview that I’m pretty sure do not exist in this great a number in any other neighborhood in Anchorage. Please say no to the special use permit related to this project! We of the Fairview community are very opposed to this facility and what it will mean for our neighborhood. We are counting on you to stop this from going forward. Thank you, HEIDI J. HEINRICH GENERAL MANAGER LUCKY WISHBONE 1033 EAST 5TH AVE. ANCHORAGE, AK. 99501 7/26/10 Roberta Winn I am already scare to visit the Lions Park by myself I always go with my husband when we walk the dogs. If this project goes we ewill have no where to take our dogs, even with my husband we will not frequent this park anymore. 7/26/10 Maria Gonzales Our Fairview Park is already being used by these homeless drunks. And now we are going to allow a home that will house 48 individuals who will meet with their friends and use this park in the same way they have been doing. Rural cap can not mantain the park clean... say not. 7/26/10 Maria Gonzales Our Fairview Park is already being used by these homeless drunks. And now we are going to allow a home that will house 48 individuals who will meet with their friends and use this park in the same way they have been doing. Rural cap can not mantain the park clean... say not. 7/26/10 Jack O Perry I do not support the location. Say No to Rural cap. 7/26/10 Lucas Mellozy I want to help the homeless but not at the expense of a neighborhood that is already struguling. Find a new location away from a recidential area where our youth will not be exposed to such social problems. 7/26/10 Matt Mojorrow Please follow the advaice of your staff report and say not to Rural Cap too many problems. 7/26/10 Melissa Mundel I do not support Kurlak Monor's location. Is poor city planning nd it will cost the fairview community the safety of their children. 7/26/10 Jason Spinnel I do not support Karluk Manor. I am sick of hearing how housing first is the greatest thing… THAT IS NOT THE QUESTION HERE!!! Your job as a platting and zoning member is decide whether this location is correct and if there is enough evidence to support that the location will benefit the area. 7/26/10 Heidi P. Mendoza I can not understand why everyone continues to play the “heart felt card”. This is business and we need to address it from a business stand point of view. Will the location of Karluk Manor benefit the city??? NO. Will it make our neighborhoods better? NO. Will it fit within our Anchorage comprehensive plan 2020? NO. We need to make sure to look at this issue not only as a way to help the inebriate homeless but we need to look at how this will help our city. Karluk Manor needs a new location. 7/26/10 Martha Boita After hearing that visitors at Karluk Manor will be kicked out at 8 pm every night into the streets I changed my mind about supporting Karluk Manor. I was also shocked to find out that between the hours of 8 pm and 9 am there will only be 2 staff members available to assist these 48 individuals. If there are any problems and one employee has to attend to it the other individual will be left alone to deal with any additional problem that might come up. Really that is unfeasible. Low planning and in my opinion Rural Cap is trying to pull a fast one on you. 7/26/10 Mia Miller If this world was only made of good intentions Rural Cap would deserve a metal. But unfortunately the reality is that Rural cap is underfunded and is trying to do a job that will required more than what they can offer. Is like when you have a 16 year old son who wants a car. Do you let them drive a car that will leave him behind and will create because he only had $500 to purchase something or do you tell him to wait until they have found a better car that is mechanically sound and that will provide the right solution to his needs. The answer is obvious. Rural cap needs to do this project right from the beginning without cutting corners. Please hold them to that and ask them to find the right location. 7/21/10 Rebecca Schmidt 1055 East 17th Ave. Anchorage AK 99501 I am very strongly against the Karluk Manor project - the very name is a joke. Manor - as in a nice place to live or nice manner of behavior - those very things would become hard to find for inhabitants of this neighborhood. Alaska Rural CAP proposing a no treatment no attempt at sobriety free crash pad to the worst drunks from around Anchorage and plopping it where we also have over flow from the city jail and sleep off center as well as plenty of liquor stores is a recipe for a magnet situation where the problem gets only worse and worse. The very idea is a way to reward the dregs of society and punish those responsible citizens of Fairview by making their neighborhood worth less and less in property values resulting in a lower tax base and less revenue for the city - oh and lets not forget the effect on tourism but I'll get to that. On the way to work yesterday there was a homeless drunk sleeping on the corner of Karluk and 17th. The project would only make that a more common sight. I often see the homeless just crash out on the grass of the home accross the street from me. Giving them a free pass to party it up on tax payers dollars in Karluk "manor" is not the answer. Karluk "manor" will be the homeless frat house of Anchorage every day and night and the problem will spill over into our community more and more by Rural cap "herding more drunks in." If a solution was truely being saught they should try treatment programs and removing these individuals to a safe place where they won't be put in the situation of immediately running into another drunk once they step out the door if by chance they wanted to stop the drinking what odds would they have of continuing with that urge in the kind of environment proposed by Rural CAP at Karluk "manor"? If people think it will only effect Fairview they are wrong. Our tourists will also be faced with the wandering drunks overflowing into the streets of downtown as they shop for trinkets to take home and as part of the story they tell to their friends of Alaska it will be about the large number foul smelling inebriates wandering the streets they had to dodge due to pan handling that goes hand and hand with this type of situation. Please do not harm my neighborhood or Anchorage with this ill thought out project. All of us - inebriates and homeowners alike - deserve a better solution than this! I do support the proposal to turn the location into a manager training facility for people coming in from the bush areas of Alaska - giving them training is far more beneficial to the residents of Alaska as a whole rather than using the structure as the closet Anchorage throws it's inebriates into and hopes they'll stay in - THEY WON'T- and it's a lousy attempt at solving the problem. 7/20/10 Joan Antonson 1026 Barrow St Anchorage AK 99501 My concern is similar to many others. I object to the proposed location of Karluk Manor. It's between two of the busiest streets in Anchorage--not a good residential site. 7/19/10 John Hallinan, Sr. 12021 Shore circle Anchorage AK 99515 I am greatly concerned by the current Karluk Manor initiative - it simply does not make sense to make alcoholic / homeless people more comfortable in an environment where alcoholism and homelessness are at high levels. The current initiative serves to enable such behavior rather than curb it. Other simple and no-cost initiatives like closing the Carrs liquor outlet on Gambell would have an obvious and positive impact on the problem. Bottom line: I do not support this initiative, it is poorly thought out and involves inappropriate use of Public funds 7/19/10 Linda Bedal 1561 Nelchina St. C-5 Anchorage AK 99501 Whatever happens, the taxpayer will have to pay the price, but I do not approve of this particular idea. The problem with the drunken street people is difficult and needs a solution, but this is not it. Very unfair to the neighborhood businesses and their property values and much too enabling of the alcoholics themselves. 7/19/10 Frank Combs 99504 Downtown Anchorage is already struggling with a large transient population. The establishment of a large facility housing a large concentration people with ongoing substance abuse problems will overwhelm the area citizens and businesses with crime. Establish smaller facilities in different areas around town to minimize the danger and make situation easier to control. All Anchorage citizens and neighborhoods share the responsibility of dealing with and solving the cities problems. 7/19/10 alisa guzman 1000 east 6th Avenue Anchorage AK 99501 The constant stream of inebriates flowing between the sleep-off center, Beans Cafe, and ST. Francis to their respective destinations, are already a challenge for local business' and their employees. We're often faced with someone drunk, wandering into the lobby, wanting to "hang out & chat". We have people try to lock themselves in the bathroom and do drugs. We've got people passing out in the street outside, falling or vomiting on our personal vehicles. We've even found a nude assault victim in our parking lot in the morning. It's already difficult enough to keep business flowing with the amount of wandering inebriates in this neighborhood. We don't need to add any more. After investing so much time and money into Fairview, it's disheartening that some would willingly drag the neighborhood down. 7/17/10 Glen Campbell 1111east 19th street Anchorage AK 99501 Have live in the fairview for over 50 years,I am a property owner and tax payer, My wife and I are not in favor of this zoning variance 7/17/10 kim skinner 925 e 9 ave anchorage AK 99501 I live on the corner of 9th and Ingra. My teen age daughter has been attacked twice by drunks in our neighborhood. Three to five nights a week during the summer I hear them yelling at each other on the street in the middle of the night, including yelling at local dogs who bark at them. I have found drunks passsed out in the middle of the alley, falling down and making a hazard of themselves in the middle of 9th street. I have found them sleeping in my trash hutch, sleeping under and at one point in vehicles in my drive way, and on several occations they have tried to build camps under my deck. We are awash with vagrants in this neighborhood and unlike council members we can't afford to move to a better neighborhood and don't have the luxury of sending our drunks to a poorer neighborhood. And now you want to send more drunks? Maybe you want to see them kill my autistic daughter this time instead of just attacking her? you think because we are poor that we don't deserve to be safe? maybe you are getting some money out of this deal and you just don't give a shit about the people who have to live in this neighborhood. Take your drunks some where else, we don't want them and our children don't deserve to be put in more danger by and bunch of people who don't care and just want to shove their problem off on us. 7/16/10 Wadeen Hepworth 831 Gambell Street Anchorage AK 99501 I am angry that Rural Cap is pushing Karluk Manor for drunks. If you want to provide housing do so for the youth of the foster care system that have no place to go after 18. The drunks have had their chance at life some even receiving treatment 3 or 4 times. Find space in Mayor Dan Sullivan's neighborhood for housing drunks or David Hardenbergh's neighborhood or any of the city council member neighborhoods. Everyone pushing this move don't want it in their neighborhoods but are happy to have it in Fairview. How about putting the housing on property next to the Native Heritage buildings. You are lowering the value of our homes and neighborhood by this move. Find a big warehouse in south Anchorage, curtain off spaces and put the drunks there and have David Hardenbergh visit them each day to see how they are doing. Care about the youth of our community - give them a good start in life so they don't become drumks on the street. This situation with camps and housing for drumks is getting out of hand and I don't want my taxes used to save them. Save our young people instead. 7/16/10 Patricia Jackson 2156 Crataegus Avenue Anchorage AK 99508 I stronly oppose the suggested location for Karluk Manor, it will not blend or enhance the surrounding area. There is no common space for the residents, as the balconies face a busy street. Walking will be a problem. It is not located in an area where a grocery store is easily within walking distance, as most clients will not have a car and if they do where will they park. No Parks close. It is a commercial area with swiftly moving traffice not residential. 7/9/10 laura Siebert I worked in Fairview for over 30 years and believe this is the wrong location for this type of facility. 7/9/10 Ashley Anderson I do not support the location of Karluk Manor. The neighborhood is a low down neighborhood that will not benefit from having a wet house. Place it in an industrial area where it will not affect families. 7/9/10 R. Stott Anch Ak The old Red Roof Inn is not the right location tfor the housing first complex. Please reconcider this idea. 7/9/10 Sloan Seiden 1220 E. 16th Ave. #12 Anchorage AK 99501 I've lived in Fairview for 8 years, and I've watched the neighborhood grow more stable. One serious problem has been the gathering of homeless inebriates at Ingra and 13th. Increasing the population of homeless inebriates who already gather near Ingra & 5th simply doesn't make sense. It is only increases the danger for ALL local residents. Fairview should have the chance to continue stabilizing--it is NOT be treated as a dumping ground of any kind. And how can anyone think it's safe to put people with such problems in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in town? No to Karluk Manor--for all our sakes. 7/9/10 Marc Bourdon 1011 Medfra St Anchorage AK 99501 I do not support Karluk Manor. As a Fairview resident, I know we already have more than our share of the social burden here. Problems should not be centralized and there are other neighborhoods to do this in. There are safety concerns with the busy roads and a park that will become even less usable when all the drunks go there to drink when they cannot have a party in their rooms. Good idea. Bad location. Put it in Hillside. 7/9/10 Ed Pearcy The karlic manor should not be located..between two busy 3 lane hyway..that may have to be widen in afew years..and then the place haveing to be relocated somewhere else in a few years...at a cost to the tasx payer. 7/9/10 Melanie Thomas No more social services in Fairview! Our backyard is full! 7/9/10 Crrystal Jeffords I work and live in Fairview, not by choice, by necessity. If I had my choice I would live some where that the city wouldn't even concider putting a place like Karluk Manor. Please don't make my neighborhood take on any more! 7/9/10 Les Garcia Anch Ak No conditional use permit for Rural CAP. 7/9/10 Joe Dell Chugiak Ak Karluk Manor....NO! 7/9/10 Beth Woods I cannot support a project that allows these people to continue to drink! 7/9/10 Robert Harrison Why can these services be place in neighborhoods like Southport, or Diamond area? How about in Hillside or in Campton Hills? Why do they always end up in the low income, low rent neighborhood? I know the answer… because the city officials all live in those neighborhoods and they would make sure to move it to o neighborhood like Fairview!!! And I am sure Rural Cap officials are their neighbors. NO Karluk Manor in Fairview. 7/9/10 Susan Oswald I do not support the proposed location of Karluk Manor. Has anybody been listening to the cries of the Fairview community??? Well I have and if they say NO, I understand why. I don’t live in Fairview but I wouldn’t want to, especially if they end up with a wet house in their area. I cannot imagine having my children around such behavior. Why can a facility like this be place in the outer limits of our city??? I say NO NO NO to Karluk Manor. 7/9/10 Chuck and May Seabert My wife and I do not support the location of Karluk Manor. WHY: Too much traffic, too many services in our neighborhood and too close to our park. Say NO… is very poor planning from our city. 7/9/10 Fletcher Monagan Anch Ak I am a reformed alcholic, sober for 23 years and counting. If an alcholic is not ready to sober up, a house over his head isn't going to do it. Each of us must take responsibility for our own actions, no one and nothing can do it for you. And certainly not a facility who's only intention is to allow the drinking to continue! 7/9/10 Mike L Pearcy Many have said that Fairview lacks compassion for the homeless and inebriates. Many have accused Fairview of not being willing to lend a hand to the needy. But those individuals obviously have never lived in Fairview. WE are very compassionate; we are a neighborhood that helps its neighbors regardless of ALL of our social obstacles. WE believe that inebriate homeless need help but Fairview needs help too. Fairview is one of the most violent neighborhoods in town. As you many recall this is where one of our Anchorage Police Officers was shot. Please help us clean Fairview, we do not need a wet house in our doors. We need to protect and provide our Fairview families with a better neighborhood. Please help us!!! Are we less important than the homeless??? 7/9/10 Josh Perry I DO NOT support Kurlak Manor!!! 7/9/10 maria m crandel What ever happen to putting FAMILIES FIRST !!! Are we not concern with how a wet house will affect a low income neighborhood that already has more than its share of social services in their area??? Adding one more is not good planning from our City. And worst of all they will be located within a block from one of the few parks Fairview has for its children. Please say no to the conditional use. It’s your job to put our Fairview Families first!!! 7/9/10 Camilla Senter I do not support the location of Karluk Manor. As our first Housing first project Anchorage needs to make sure it is done right from the beginning. I expect the zoning and planning committee to do their job and analyze if this is within the vision of our city, and specifically Fairview. This location is poor urban planning. Say not to the conditional use that is being requested. 7/9/10 Gloria Hume Anch Ak No Karluk Manor in Fairview! 7/9/10 Paul Kuntz Anch Ak I do not support the conditional use permit for Karluk Manor, and believe that if the planning and zoning commission does their job they won't either. 7/9/10 S J. Klein PO Box 100834 Anchorage AK 99510 I am strongly against Karluk Manor for the following reasons: 1- Traffic: Karluk Manor will result in an increase in inebriates walking one of the busiest road interchanges in Anchorage. The Highway to Highway traffic study has shown that this area is overburdened with traffic. It is an accident waiting to happen 2- Underresourced: The management plan for Karluk Manor fails to provide robust social services on site for its residents. I have discussed this issue with the author of the JAMA article they reference, and robust on-site services are a necessary part of the successful housing first model. The management plan submit does not follow the model, and thus will be an experiment which will have negative impacts on the residents and neighbors. 3- Distance to Park: Being less than 500' from Fairview Lions Park is an attraction for illegal behavior. Their plan is to react to problems, but the fact that there is no outdoor or common area where residents can drink means that there is going to be a problem in the parks nearby. The variance request for the 500' rule should be rejected. 4- Responsibility for residents and visitors: Spillover effects can be expected from visitors and residents of the facility, and the management plan is lacking in mitigation measures to prevent inebriate behaviors that would impact neighbors. 5- Policy 62: This neighborhood is already impacted by the Sleep-Off Center, Brother Francis, the Mental Health Web, Beans Cafe, and McKinnel House. A wet facility in the middle of this neighborhood unfairly concentrates residential services for chronic inebriates into too small an area, in violation of Policy 62 of the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan. 6- Bad Precedent: This project is being proposed because it is something they can do right away, however it fails to meet the minimal requirements of the Alcohol Dependent Housing land use for distances to parks, fails to address spillover effects in the neighborhood, and fails to meet the goals of Policy 62 of the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan. This sets a bad precedent for the first Alcohol Dependent Housing project to come before Planning and Zoning. Doing it right, in the right location, and with the right management plan should not be sacrificed for expedience. Fairview is littered with well-intentioned, under-resourced and poorly executed social service projects. We do not need another. 7/8/10 Sydney Crest 8651 carter circle anchorage ak 99507 I find it most telling that Mayor Sullivan himself does not support this location! 7/8/10 Deeann Herrington Rural CAP has compared this facility to 1811 Eastlake in Seattle time and time again. However, listening to Kenny Scollen speak at the senior center last week I was shocked when he said there would be one, or two employees staffing the facility at all times. One, or two??? And they are assuring the Fairview community that they will have no security issues?!? Doesn't sound like common sense to me. 7/8/10 Kimberly Fox Help those who help themselves! I have been taught that since I was a child! Without requiring drying out as a condition for living in these facilities, I cannot support them! 7/8/10 Russel Meeks I do not support Karluk MANOR! 7/8/10 Karen Ross Anchorage Ak I attended the Housing and Neighborhood Development meeting in June, and was very pleased that the commission listened to the views of the Fairview community. I am counting on the Planning and Zoning Commission to do the same! Fairview is a neighborhood already over burdened by social services. We are not NIMBY's, we just have too much in our backyard as it is! 7/8/10 W. Hertzler I am frustrated beyond belief that this idea is even being concidered, let alone the location currently proposed! Once again I am reminded why our country is in the shape its in! 7/8/10 Debbie Stojak 830 Nelchina Street The conditional use permit for Karluk Manor should be denied for the following reasons: 1)Unfortunatley, good data on the demographics of the residential population that will be closest to this faciltiy are not available and/or have not been made available. Unlike the majority of individuals that have provided comments, I am intimately familar with the demographics of this area and I feel certain that there is a very high concentration of children under the age of 15 that reside near Fairview Lions Park relative to other areas in Anchorage. This is particularly true because of the proximity to the Park View Manor and in general, the high density popultion in fairview. The criteria used by RuralCap in locating this facility ONLY considered what the location could do for its facility and not visa versa. In Fairview, we have a high concentration of children who already suffer the consequences of a low-income, social service environment. I think it is only honest to admit that there exists a risk of negative consequences from the proposed Karluk Manor and that risk should be farther from such a high concentration of children. 2) The potential residents of Karluk Manor demand robust social services. Other than the lofty services descrbied by RuralCap from the onsite Resident Service Provider, Rural Cap is not offering any internal services. This is an absolute necessity for recovery for these individuals. 3) I am not convinced, unlike the majority of commentators, that placing an individual in a 200 square foot room smack in the middle of two highways, in a neighorhood with a high concentration of non-recovering alcoholics, and paying their rent for the forseeable future, promises the dignity or respite needed for successful recovery. 4) The Commission should be concerned with increasing its tax base within its core and discouraging the current exodus of families, business, etc. to the valley. Concentrating social services in one area is a sure way to lower property values and decrease the tax base. 5) The comments accusing Fariview residents of NIMYism are insulting and misguided and the inherent irony is hard to swallow for individuals who work so hard to improve Anchorage's urban core. 6) Please see Allen Kemplen's comment again; I agree, the conditional use permit does not comport with the Comprehensive Plan. 7/8/10 Donna Millwood Totally against 2010-077!!!! I am a 67 year resident of Anchorage. 7/8/10 Judy Marsh 2700 Greenscreek circle I have lived in Anchorage for over 50 years and I have been going to the Lucky Wishbone almost since it opened. I believe this would be bad for their family atmosphere and I should not contend with a drunk house across the street! 7/8/10 Sue Easterly 1526 Bannister dr. The old Red Roof should not be used as a treatment or the housing alcholol dependent people. The corner is too busy for their safety and would probably be a nuisance to the surrounding businesses. I have been a resident of Anchorage for over 50 years and do not want to see this sort of facility in this area. 7/8/10 Raymond Nesbett To Purchase the property, without informing the public, and before teh required municipal permits and approvals were obtain, lacks good faith and demostrates the arogance of the petitioner. The entired process of this approval is tainted by the behaivior of Rural Cap. The petition should be denied. 7/7/10 Allen Kemplen 1552 Orca Street Anchorage AK 99501 Dear Commission Members, In the community conversations associated with crafting of the Anchorage Bowl Comprehensive Plan, there emerged a prevailing agreement that we should avoid some of the known urban problems seen in metropolitan areas. One of the more objectionable urban ills was the creation of a "Skid Row." This is why the Comp Plan incorporated a policy of having support services decentralized throughout the urban area. Skid Row - noun, a city district frequented by vagrants and alcoholics and addicts. Establishing a wet house for 48 of the approximately 250 chronic public inebriates two blocks from the city sleep-off center and institutional support services conflicts with the Comp Plan. The City Sleep-Off Center receives inebriates from all over and, once they are deemed sober, releases them out the front door. Karluk Manor will become a magnet for these individuals as they visit friends residing at the facility. It is highly probable there will be increased pedestrian traffic between Karluk Manor, other social support facilities and the nearest liquor stores. Even if adequate funds are available for a robust property and site management regime, the adjacent blocks will experience an increase in the number of vagrants and inebriates. Public spaces will witness accelerated wear and tear due to the volume of vagrants and inebriates. Fairview Lions Park, as the nearest open public space with amenities will be especially hard hit. The vagrants and inebriates will have a significant visible impact at the eastern gateway to the urban core. Karluk Manor will be one of the anchor tenants of an expanding skid row at the entrance to our City The approval of a conditional use for Karluk Manor with its resultant negative externalities runs counter to the goals of the Downtown Plan and the draft Fairview Community Plan. The proposed Conditional Use runs counter to the policies of the Anchorage Comprehensive Plan. The request for a Conditional Use Permit should be denied. 7/7/10 Sarah Kruse A housing unit for inebriates between two of the busiest streets in Anchorage.....logical? NOT!! 7/7/10 Sarah Kruse A housing unit for inebriates between two of the busiest streets in Anchorage.....logical? NOT!! 7/7/10 Jerry Brown anchorage The HAND commission did their job and put the neighborhood of Fairview first. Planning and Zoning please do yours and keep Karluk Manor out of Fairview!!! 7/7/10 Kyla Hardesty I have many issues with Rural CAP and how this whole business of Karluk Manor has gone. They have snuck around every step of the way claiming to have the best interests of Fairview in mind. Every step of the way they have barged ahead despite how this community feels about the project. Shame on them, this is not in the best interest of our neighborhood! 7/7/10 Holly Wahlen anchorage 99507 I say NO to Karluk Manor!!! 7/5/10 heidi heinrich 8750 carter circle anchorage 99507 AT THE MEETING HELD BY RURAL CAP LAST WEEK I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE CONFUSED THE FACT THAT FAIRVIEW COMMUNITIE'S NOT WANTING KARLUK MANOR IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD MEANT THE PEOPLE OF FAIRVIEW LACKED HUMANITY. ONE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER. WE ARE SIMPLY SAYING WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THESE TYPE OF SERVICES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 7/5/10 jan heinrich I have been a resident of Anchorage for over 45 years. I do not believe Karluk Manor is the answer to Anchorages inibriated homeless issues. 7/5/10 sierra wahlen I DO NOT SUPPORT KARLUK MANOR! 7/3/10 Ty Bolder The sight of an individual too drunk to stand, lying in the bushes is not a pretty one. No one grows up planning to be a drunk. However isn’t it amazing that over the past few years that both a father and a son from the same family died on Anchorage’s streets? This leaves me thinking that perhaps if there was a facility that tough sobriety , that required its tenants to abstain; maybe this father would have been this sort of example for his son. If we are to embrace this effort, this is not the way! 7/3/10 Brittany Miller I have been a resident of Anchorage for most of my life; the chronic alcoholics that roam our streets are not a new sight. What is new is the idea of housing them altogether in a so called wet house. It is astonishing to me that the folks at Rural Cap believe they can control these folks when they are intoxicated with a limited staff. On the occasions I have had to have confrontations it is always unpredictable in nature. One minute you have a jovial drunk, the next a fuel fledge maniac. Putting 48 together in one building doesn’t sound like a feasible idea to me. 7/3/10 June Jones The Idea that absolutely no effort is being put into requiring the tenants of the Karluk Manor to cease and desist with the alcohol is enough reason for me to say No to Rural Cap. 7/3/10 Shelby Mundell Shame on Rural Cap for tooting their own horn in the Daily News leading people to believe they would have made these changes if the HAND commission had not shot them down. Their plan needs lots of improvements before I am willing to say Yes. 7/3/10 Howard Harris 510 L Street #1001 Anchorage AK 99501 I am writing in opposition to this facility and specifically it's location. We operate a warehouse nearby and have no interest in attracting further problems to the area. This location is a busy intersection that is gateway to our city which needs to upgraded in terms of use rather than denegraded by this type of facility. The recent opening of a corporate facility in the same block was a good omen for interest in improving the area that is now likely to be devalued by the proposal to house inebriates next door. 7/3/10 Carmen Baker 305 W 5th Ave Anchorage AK 99501 We have a warehouse on 1036 E 4th. We have pay an employee to spend, at least a half hour each morning to pick up after the "clients" of The Brother Francis shelter and Beans Cafe'. Some mornings this means literally waking people up who are sleeping it off underneath one of the container trucks, some mornings this means Mike is cleaning human excrement from our lot. This behavior will only increase as we add yet one more facility in Downtown / Fairview area for inebriates to congregate. An area that is already overburdened with inebriate services. Instead of adding one more blight to the neighbor hood why not encourage legitimate commerce that will INCREASE property values rather than bring them down. This is a problem with no clear solution, and I am not without sympathy for the effected individuals; but we can't continue letting this small population bring down the hard work and diligent efforts of a community valianlty trying to raise the standards of living in their neighborhood. Please do not permit the "Red Nose INN" to operate in this renaissance community. 7/1/10 Patric Montero Personally, I think that this should be somewhere OTHER than in Fairview. They have too many problems as it is, and many of it's community members are trying to clean things up. Dumping 50 proven chronic inebriates will cause more problems. More drunks will gravitate towards the place in hopes of a bed, and camp in the local parks, destroy personal property (whizzing on the bushes being the least of the problems, stepping in human excrement while collecting the morning paper, etc), and generally cause a problem for traffic as they panhandle, jaywalk, etc. 7/1/10 Jason McKinney All this housing unit will be is another move that will enabling those that choose this lifestyle to continue it. Beans Cafe, the Community Patrol Van and other such organizations that coddle these people that are Hell Bent on killing themselves are doing is enabling them to continue. I believe that if a drunk is treated like what he is, a criminal, you will get better results. If a person wants out of this lifestyle, no one other than themselves is going to get it done! No amount of free rides, free meals, free places to pass out and sober up or anything other than personal desire is going to make them stop. If you can be a street bum, not work etc and someone is going to feed, cloth and provide you with a warm secure place to sleep, why should you change? We don't need to treat these people any different than any other criminals. Arrest, jail, and put them in front of a judge: if guilty of a crime, sentence them to confinement with a work detail program to clean the streets of Anchorage, the roadside ditches etc. I will wager if the free rides are no longer there the numbers of public inebriates will drop drastically. Yes you are going to have the people who are currently employeed caring for these individuals shouting this is the wrong way to proceed, but I strongly disagree. Criminals need to treated as such, not rewarded for illegal behavior. 7/1/10 Richard Wood $500,000 for 24/7 staff, utilities, maintenance, repairs, housekeeping is questionable. Let those who approve this venture guarantee expenses with their salaries. I don't believe all Rural Cap is saying. Say no to Karluk Manor. 7/1/10 Chelsey M. Fisher Everyone is so willing to say yes to Karluk Manor because it’s not in their back yard… I understand The Fairview community and I support their efforts to STOP Karluk Manor. Place a facility like this in an industrial area where it won’t affect families. 7/1/10 Anna Morris Many are not concern with the cries of the Fairview community. Don’t you think we need to listen to this community that already has experience in providing services for the needy? They know how involve with the community providers continue to be once they open their facilities. I say NO to Karluk Manor, I am following the advice of the Fairview Community. 7/1/10 Amanda Mojorro Please DO NOT grant the conditional use permit for Karluk Manor. WE need to find a better location for this project. Many believe that the Fairview community is not compassionate and is afraid of change; Unfortunately that is not the case. The Fairview community has and will continue to help our many social services to continue helping the many homeless in our community. The problem is that we already carry the burden of caring and providing for this group in society. The city of anchorage needs to step up and help us provide for them too at alternative locations. 7/1/10 Josh Hanson I do not Support Karluk Mannor. 7/1/10 Brandon Kang I see the need to help the homeless, but why do we have to allow them to continue to drink??? This is wrong. I do not support Karluk Manor. 7/1/10 Alan Oswald I do not support Karluk Mannor... we need other options. 7/1/10 Mabel Paterson I DO NOT support Karluk Manor. As a long time member of the Fairview community, and someone who walks to work, I too witness the need to help those who are homeless and struggling with alcoholism and disability. I believe in the Housing concept but NOT IN FAIRVIEW. Fairview has too many services already offered for the homeless and needy we need to spread the wealth and have our city share our burden. 7/1/10 Nancy K. Bell The location of the proposed Karluk Manor is between 5th avenue and 6th avenue 2 main roads that are bordering the building, roads that have very high traffic. I have personally talked to the Traffic Unit Supervisor from APD Sergeant Justin Doll and we have discussed how the corner of 5th avenue and Karluk is one of the highest ticketed locations for running a red light. This would be a hazard for inebriated individuals like the individuals living in Karluk Manor, especially since they will be crossing the street to visit the bar that is less than 200 feet from their new home. WE MUST find a better location!!! 7/1/10 Cam P I do NOT support Karluk Manor. 7/1/10 Matt Nelson 1811 Eastlake has a nick name on the streets of Seattle. It’s called the “Death House” because in the first eight months of being open six of its residents died from alcohol related deaths. The fire department responded 148 times in these same 8 months, every one of these 148 visits were for medical assistance. Statistically RURAL CAP says it will save the city money in the short term, but as the people that are housed in these apartments are allowed to continue to drink their bodies will continue to deteriorate from alcohol related illnesses and substance abuse and thus require more medical care in the future. What is the estimated cost of health care for these individuals in the long run??? I do not belive Karluk Manor will be as succesfull as rural Cap says they will make it. Say NO. 7/1/10 Summer Ryan Will the residents of the Karluk Mano be the same group of people we see gathered on the corner of 13th and Ingra @ the Carr’s and Oken Keg liquor store??? How will Rural Cap prevent them from hanging in groups and panhandle like they do at 13th and Ingra. 10 Staff members will not be enough to control 48 individuals. I do not support Karluk Manor!!! 7/1/10 Sandra J. Miranda I do not support the propose location for our first “housing first project”. It is vital that our city does this project right from the beginning. Let me mention a few of the most glaring problems with the proposed project: 1. The Red Roof Inn Motel is being made to fit the program. The building is an old run down motel and cannot be compared to the state of the art building that Seattle 1811 Eastlake facility is. Their success is due to their facility layout and precise designs that were made to house this individual. Rural cap is not adopting the full model from Eastlake. Rural cap is only implementing what they feel would fit the building of Red Roof Inn. 2. The location of Red Roof Inn is a big concern. Not only is it located in a rundown neighborhood with lots of low income housing but it is also right in the middle of two of the busiest streets in towns with lots of high speed traffic. When one of these individuals gets rundown while attempting to cross the street and the city gets sued is Rural Cap going to carry the burden or will our city be responsible? 3. Fairview is a neighborhood that has many burdens to carry and once again we are dumping one more public service at their door. What will happen to the many families who live in the area, who are trying to raise a family and once again their community is force to house more of the “undesirables” that contribute nothing to any community and drain all. I understand that we must be compassionate to those who are less fortunate than us. I understand that we must try to help those who need us, and I understand that if we choose to do nothing that helps no one. But I truly believe that we must also rank our priorities and analyze where we spend our money. 7/1/10 Jim Miller I DO NOT support the development of the Karluk Manor and the efforts of RurAL CAP to make this happen. I do support housing first but why are we consentrating services all in one area??? 6/30/10 Carol Pearcy Anchorage AK 99508 Building this facility in that location is a huge mistake for many reasons: 1. High traffic area 2. Too close to public park 3. Too close to other shelters, soup kitchens, and the detox center already in this neighborhood 4. The building is not suitable for this kind of facility I am counting that on July 19, 2010 you will vote “NO” to the requested conditional use permit. It is your civic duty to weight all the consequences and to analyze the possible outcomes. VOTE NO!!! 6/30/10 Robert Spellens Anchorage AK 99501 To whom it may concern: I am a Fairview community member that have called Fairview home for years. I am not pleased to hear that my neighborhood will once again be nominated to house more social services, especially a wet house that offers no rehabilitation. I don’t believe that Rural Cap is concern with the makeup of their future costumers at Karluk Manor. Lets be blunt the demographics of Anchorage Chronic homeless inebriates is not the same as the infamous 1811 Eastlake in Seattle. Our homeless are not old white veterans who drink alone in their rooms. To be blunt ours are generally social drinkers, and to be blunt once again mostly native(I am part native). These people drink in groups, rarely solo. The Fairview Lions Park will offer the perfect congregating area for these folks once they are housed in Karluk Manor. Do not put the Fairview Community in further strife say NO to the conditional use permit. 6/30/10 Olga C. Gomez 99515 My name is Olga Gomez and I have a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development. I am a concerned citizen who would like to express my opinion in regards to the proposed location of the housing first model project, the so called Karluk Manor (housing for severe alcoholics) soon to be located in Fairview. I believe that currently we are putting the needs of these chronic alcoholics ahead of the needs of the community where they will be housed. Are we once again going to put a misguided social program before the needs of our children in Fairview??? Are we once again telling these kids in this low income neighborhood that their safety comes behind that of Chronic Homeless Inebriates??? 500 feet is not too much to ask!!! Say NO to the conditional use permit for RurAL cap, and say YES to the children of Fairview. They are the FUTURE our city!!! 6/30/10 Richard Mierzejewski 99501 As a long time Fairview community member, I have seen many sides of Fairview. The community has changed in many ways. One way it has not changed is the burden put on this neighborhood by the many social services facilities already here. Shelters, food kitchens, detox center and the city jail. And of course this is without mentioning the drug dealing and crime that plague this neighborhood. I have just recently moved to a better neighborhood solely because I wanted to live in an area that was safer. I cannot remember how many times I was woken up at night to a shootout fallowed by the sirens of the cops. Or how many times I was witness to what I know was a drug deal. I stayed in Fairview for so long because I live by myself and as a grown man those things don’t influence my moral compass. I only need to answer for my personal behavior, However I truly feel for the families that call Fairview their home; families that have small children who are exposed to this kind of behaviors. Many of them have no choice to where they live; they end up in Fairview because it is a low income neighborhood and that is all they can afford. I choose to leave Fairview to better myself, these families cannot. These children are the future of our city and we are exposing them violence and complex social problems and adding Karluk Manor to this neighborhood will continue to expose them to social behavior that is not appropriate. I still work in the Fairview area and have been for the past 20 some years. While I lived in the neighborhood I walked to work as it was only a 6 blocks walk. I always knew I was going to encounter drunks on my way to work, and of course the teenagers and grownups that were high on drugs and / or buying and selling them. On my 6 blocks walk to work I would always pass the Lions Park; the park in discussion for the conditional use permit. I can attest to all the inappropriate behavior that goes on at that park. I’ve seen it all and more than I care to mention; from drunks passed out and sleeping in the grass to drunks having sex. I’ve seen this park became a congregational point for teenager selling their drugs and for natives to gather with their friends and drink. By bringing Karluk Manor to our neighborhood we are making sure that all the drunks from our city congregate in one district and our Lions Park will provide a nice public area to meet up with their friends. We are not cleaning up Fairview instead we are bringing the problems of all around our city to Fairview. This is hardly fair to a community already in distress; we keep staggering these complex social problems and dumping them all in one community. Your job at the Planning and Zoning Department is to make sure that we don’t dump all this problems into one community. Your job is to make sure our neighborhoods have a fighting chance for their people and to provide a guided planning for their future as a community. How many more people like me will it take for the city to really pay attention to the overwhelming social problems Fairview has, DON”T ADD ANY MORE. Please listen when we as a community say NO to Karluk manor. 6/30/10 Tina Ponte Each day I bicycle to work through the streets of Fairview. Each day I see a neighborhood trying to rise above its infamous reputation. In summer the community council planting flowers and helping paint and maintain the yards of those less able. I see people trying hard to take pride in a neighborhood often weighted down by the overflow from the well meaning social service faclities in its midst. how much more can this neighborhood take on? The intentions are good, but these are the people that pay the price for every well intended facility that is put in Fairview. Its time for another Anchorage neighborhood to shoulder some of the burden. 6/30/10 Josh Rendon Follow the housing and Neighborhood Development Commissions lead....say NO to the special use permit! 6/30/10 Arkee Johnson 99501 I work and live in Fairview and must commute daily through its streets. I dread the thought of even more of the city’s homeless inebriates being concentrated in one area. Why are we doing such a large project in one location? I already stopped purchasing my groceries at the Carr’s in 13th and Ingra because I hate being hassle by all the drunks and homeless individuals that gather up in this area. And this location has a police substation that obviously cannot handle their constant traffic. And here is Rural Cap trying to tell me that they will be able to control 50 drunks living in once complex. I really have a hard time believing them. Fairview has enough problems already. Please don’t add to it. 6/30/10 Carly Arroyo As a young teenage mother trying to raise my two boys on my own. I already face many hurdles in my future. In the Fairview neighborhood there are already few good examples for my boys.Now the possibility of having 48 of Anchorages worst examples practically across the street frightens me even more. I have no yard for my kids to play in, and already hesitate to take them to the park in our neighborhood to play. Rural CAP can promise they will be safer.... some how I do not believe that will be the case. 6/30/10 Jose Ayala 99501 Fairview already has more than their fair share of services of this kind. No Karluk Manor!!!. The Fairview Community is under siege already. Please put our neighborhood first!!! 6/30/10 Jose A. Gomez 99501 My name is Jose A. Gomez. I am a concerned citizen who does not believe in the Karluk Manor project. I am relying on you to do the right thing and vote NO on July 19,2010. The Planning Department's mission is and I quote "to guide Anchorage land use development and community resources to meet the quality of life, economic, social, environmental, and physical needs of present and future residents. Good planning makes for livable neighborhoods, a safe and healthy community, and a sustainable economy. How land use fits in with housing, transportation, community and economic development gives Anchorage its character." I got this out of your website, please do your job and weight in the consequences of amending the Ordinance and conditional use laws that our assembly set for projects like this. Do your JOB and SAY NO!!! 6/30/10 Amanda Anderson My Name is Amanda Anderson and have been working near the propose location for Karluk Manor. I am very concern with how this will affect me, my coworkers, and how it will affect the neighborhood. What upsets me the most is that this 40 plus chronic alcoholic homeless become more important than the hundreds that already call Fairview their Home. People like me, who work, pay taxes, raise a families and let’s face it people who contribute to our community. Why are we not concern with the social consequences of having a wet house around families or business that have called Fairview home for so many years. I believe this is the wrong location for a project like this. Rural cap needs to find a location that meets the laws and requirements set by the Anchorage Assembly, with no variations and no additional permits. That is why the Assembly set these groups of rules to protect neighborhoods, business and people like me!!! 6/30/10 Shelby Hinson Karluk Manor is a horrible idea! The children in the Fairview area already have enough to contend with now we are going to bring the 48 worst offenders of the drunk and disorderly laws into the neighborhood!!!It isn't enough they get shot through the walls of their homes, can't walk the street without fear,and more often then not have little to no supervision. How do we ever expect to help these children have better lives when we continually dump our problems into their front yards! Say no to the conditional use permit! 6/30/10 Mackenzie Seger It was with great interest that I read the Anchorage Daily News arcticle this week. The glaring ommission of the fact that the HAND Commission voted against recommending the Karluk Manor project to this commity was obvious! The HAND Commission did their job and put the neighborhood first. The Fairview community is hoping this commity does their job as well. Your mission statement says that you are dedicated to"guide Anchorage land and use development to meet the quality of life, economic, social, and physical needs of present and future residents." Please remember this when concidering the conditional use permit....Fairview's future is at stake 6/30/10 Heidi Heinrich The Housing and Neighborhood Developement Commission did their job a few weeks ago when they listened to the the Fairview communities cries of ENOUGH! They took into account that this is a neighborhood already under stress!With more than our fair share of Anchorages social service facilities located within this small area. Please do your job and listen to our community we say NO to Karluk Manor! 6/30/10 Luis Garcia This letter is regarding the purchase of the Red Roof Inn for use a wet house by the Rural CAP organization. There are some major problems with the proposed location that seem unimportant to Rural CAP. They are aware of them yet they are pushing forward with their plans.If we are going to bring a project like this here to Anchorage to help inebriated homeless we owe it to them and ourselves to do it right the first time. Karluk Manor is not the right location for many reason's. The community surrounding the proposed sight is already over burdened with well meaning social service facilities. If we fail in the first attempt there may not be a second. 6/30/10 Angela Ryan Anyone living and working in Fairview for any length of time.has seen the groups of individuals hanging out on the corner of 13th and Gampbell.drinking, fighting, and panhndling.As a resident of Fairview who also works here, I walk to work daily. I am greatly concerned if we open Karluk Manor and bring 48 of these people from all over the city: the corner of 5th and Karluk will soon become the same frightening sight. Is this the first impression we want to make with visiting tourists driving into Anchorage? In the newspaper we are told that Rural CAP is working with the Fairview community, as a member of this neighborhood I do not believe this is so. Amending the law to allow them to be closer then the 500 feet to my neighborhood park is not the right decision. Please listen to the people of Fairview... our opinion on what happens in the neighborhood we call home should matter. 6/30/10 Ty Boita As members of the Planning and Zoning Commity I am sure you are fully aware that 5th and Karluk is the number one corner ticketed for running a red light in Anchorage? Or, maybe your not. According to the traffic unit supervisor from A.P.D. Sergeant Justin Doll this corner garners more tickets then any other in town. The roads themselves are very high traffic. And this is the proposed location of a "wet house"? Inebreates crossing two of the busiest streets in town? Doesn't sound like good planning to me. 6/1/10 Kristy Crosby 1333 A East 9th Ave. Anchorage AK 99501 I am opposed to conversion of the motel to a facility for chronic inebriates. First - what is the municipality's liability if an inebriate, purposely housed in a facility on one of the busiest corners in Anchorage, steps out into traffic and is injured or killed? Second - what about the residents of Fairview? Fairview Lion's Park is generally a mess and unsafe for children because of the inebriates who hang out there. I have observed inebriates engaging in noisy sex in the porta-potties, in broad daylight. I've watched them beat each other up. I've watched them urinate and defecate in random spots in the park, despite the porta-potties. I've seen them urinate and defecate down the children's slide and other playground equipment. Groups of inebriates wander through the neighborhood, pass out on lawns, and scream and curse at residents. Third - who benefits from this transaction? I suspect the Red Roof Inn has been a financial disaster for the owners. Who approached whom in getting this deal started? What a coincidence that a failing motel suddenly becomes the perfect place to house hard-core inebriates. Fourth - Why must we, the residents of Fairview, be forced to subsidize the destruction of our neighborhood? Those in support of this plan essentially claim that this won't cost the residents of Anchorage anything because it will be funded by grants. Well where in the world do you suppose that grant money comes from? The Feds don't make money; that money comes out of working people's pockets. Fifth - The claims about the success of the program in Seattle are highly over-stated. Read the studies and the information. Read the truth about what that program is costing the city, and the dismal outcome for the residents. 6/1/10 Les Gara 716 W. 4th Avenue, Room 310 Anchorage AK 99501 The following is the text of an earlier letter I wrote this spring noting our concerns about the Red Roof Inn proposal, and that the proposed location is inappropriate given the legitimate safety concerns expressed by neighbors and area residents. I would add these thoughts to the sentiments expressed in my earlier letter. I do think treatment for those who qualify for the Housing First model can make sense, if done in an appropriate setting. I understand the Red Roof Inn was picked because of its attractive, discounted price. But the proper location for such a facility is not in a residential neighborhood, at least not one where the residents express legitimate safety concerns as is the case here. If an affordable and proper alternate location cannot be found, I do think the City, and possibly the state, should help with a reasonable level of needed funds, but only in a non-residential location, where safety concerns for neighbors are not an issue, and only for a plan that will lead to effective treatment. I have supported increased alcoholism and substance abuse treatment for those willing to undertake the effort to address their addictions. That is the right thing to do, and will save us costs, and agony in the long run. But choosing a location that is inappropriate, just because it is offered at an attractive price, is not the proper approach for this facility in my view. The body of my earlier letter from this winter on this subject follows: Re: Red Roof Inn: Wrong Location for a Needed Solution Dear Neighbors: During the first month of the legislative session, I’ve been working on a full slate of projects, and, at the same time, have been hit with a full court press by the oil industry for corporate tax reductions on oil production. While that’s been in the press, I want you to know I haven’t forgotten about the Red Roof Inn issue in Fairview. Two weeks ago we received a presentation on the topic in the House Finance Committee. While I believe strongly in helping people who want to help themselves, I think the Red Roof Inn is the wrong location for the Mental Health Trust Authority’s “Housing First” project. It is too close to our neighbor’s homes in Fairview, and should be located in a place much further from a high density, established neighborhood. I do think that, if placed away from homes, the Housing First concept has enough promise to give it a try. Alcohol is the main driver of crime in our state, and pretending people will get better on their own, or that the violence, danger, and distress caused by alcohol abuse will disappear on its own is wishful thinking. I have long been a proponent of cutting the waiting lists at effective alcoholism and substance abuse treatment centers for those who are willing to work towards recovery. For example, Anchorage’s main heroin addiction treatment center has a waiting list of over a year. I have pushed to fix that – because if we don’t, heroin users will continue to feed heroin dealers, continue to commit drug crimes, and continue to feed the cycle of neighborhood crime, family destruction and community danger. Six and twelve month long waiting lists for alcoholism and substance abuse treatment centers make no sense when the treatment is for those willing to help themselves. Waiting lists increase crime, increase the time children are taken away from parents in need of treatment, and I will continue to call for a fix to that problem. Here are a few things I’d say about the Housing First concept, which I think is worthy of a try AWAY from a residential community. On the positive side, Housing First does drastically reduce Community Service patrol pick ups. At least a portion of those who’d enter treatment truly want to improve their lives, and indirectly, ours. On the other hand, I have to say that I haven’t yet been convinced it shows miraculous results in weaning people away from alcohol abuse. Those statistics aren’t as clearly positive. Maybe the latter is too much to ask for when people are dealing with an addiction. I do respect that the project aims to help those who are willing to be treated, so my ears are open to hearing more evidence. But the bottom line is that the project should not be placed at the Red Roof In location. That poses a problem for the promoters of the project – since the Red Roof Inn came at a low sales price. But the solution is to find a better location, with community help, and not fund this one. The following is an excerpt from my statement during the House Finance Committee Hearing. In addition, I am sending our last e-mail newsletter for your information. House Finance Committee, February 4, 2010. “So let me get to Housing First because we’re going to have to, there’s a budget proposal that we’re all going to have to think about on it. The bad part of it is what Representative Kelly has said. You know, you spend a lot of money to get someone from 15 drinks to ten drinks, and for those of us who aren’t inside your profession, that doesn’t seem like a staggering success to spend a lot of money on. . . . And there is a concern about putting this inside of an established neighborhood. I mean if we’re going to experiment with something new to the scene like this, I don’t think that it goes on an established neighborhood.” 6/1/10 Johnny Ellis 716 W 4th Ave, Room 500 Anchorage AK 99501 As a resident of Fairview and the State Senator representing this neighborhood, I am very concerned about the proposed location for Rural CAP's housing first program at the Red Roof Inn. Due to myriad safety concerns and the potential negative impact on the neighborhood, I am unable to support this project in the currently proposed location at Karluk Street and Fifth Avenue. | |