Criticism directed at Elk Grove mayor, city council over Coral Blossom affordable housing project
Even though Elk Grove taxpayers are on the hook for a $10 million settlement with the Oak Rose affordable housing developers, the lawsuits a...
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/06/criticism-directed-at-elk-grove-mayor.html
During their June 26 meeting, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city council heard criticism on their handling of supportive affordable housing projects. The comments were made during public comments on non-agenda items.
As she has done at several meetings, Elk Grove resident Liz Marshall said the mayor and city council disobeyed state fair housing laws, specifically Senate Bill 35, over their denial of the Oak Rose project. That project was initially planned for Old Town-Historic Downtown Elk Grove but was rejected by the mayor after they succumbed to demands from a handful of Old Town business owners and nearby residents.
After the city denied the project and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a fair housing lawsuit against it, a $10 million taxpayer-funded settlement was reached with the Oak Rose developer, Long Beach, Calif.-based Excelerate Housing Group. Marshall said Bonta should continue pursuing the lawsuit notwithstanding the relocation.
As part of that settlement, the city moved the project, now called Coral Blossom, to Elk Grove-Florin Road, just south of Calvine Road in City Council District 3. Many nearby residents opposing the Coral Blossom project who attended the recent zoning administrator meeting were at yesterday's meeting and displayed signs in opposition to the project.
Interestingly, the lawsuits against the city by EHG and the attorney general continue to appear on the city council's secret meeting agenda, indicating they have not been resolved.
Marshall's entire commentary can be seen in the video below.
2 comments
If the residents surrounding the proposed site were really looking to mount pressure on the city, they missed a huge chance last night. With only 1 1/2 people speaking on the topic, the city council was already daydreaming of their summer recess when public comment was over. Numbers and volumes of angry residents speak.
Some people like "Cry Me a River". Personally I like to rock. I bet if Rob Bonta wanted to rock, he would go with one of my favorites, Tom Petty. I can hear it now, "Well, I won't back down, No I won't back down. You could stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down. No I'll stand my ground, Won't be turned around, And I'll keep this world from getting me down, Gonna stand my ground, And I won't back down, etc. Great tune!
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