HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP202100014 Correspondence 2021-09-29 (31)From: Kara Kavanagh <karakav@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2021 1:01 PM
To: Mariah Gleason
Subject: Comments regarding property for Reclaimed Hope Initiative.
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I am writing in response to the special use permit and zoning for Reclaimed Hope Initiative. As an
Albemarle County resident, parent of two boys who were adopted, and family involved in Reclaimed
Hope, I have a few thoughts to offer the neighbors and decision makers. First, the NIMBY argument is a
frustrating, privileged, and entitled argument in its simplest forms. It suggests that homeowners with
money and privilege can declare that their views, sounds, and choice of neighbors are up to them to
decide and are entitled to declare a particular neighbor or community member/group not welcome
because it disrupts them. Recently, an area around our home was changed in its zoning that upset a lot
of my neighbors because apartments were being built. I reminded them that there was a lack of
affordable housing in our area and people in every SES needed a safe place to live and good schools to
go to. Who are we to say that only people who have money can enjoy a short commute, access to
beautiful surroundings, and proximity to the center of town?
Second, the Charlottesville area prides itself on being a community. Well, this community desperately
needs the services that this proposed property and respite would provide its most vulnerable and
marginalized children. There is nothing nearby that is close to the services that are needed and yet we
have a community member creating, organizing,and providing these services for other families in our
community instead of relying on the creation of more public services. It is financially a sound
opportunity for decision makers to invest in by approving the property. It won’t raise taxes or require
more from our overburdened and under resourced local mental health services and caregivers.
Thank you in advance,
Kara and Laura Kavanagh