I appreciate the Town of Granby looking into solutions for
attainable housing as it is a major issue that impacts everyone. Admittedly, I
don’t pay attention as much as I should to the notices and the legalese
involved in public projects, but the recent movement on the Rodeo Apartments in
Granby has raised a few questions.
Has the town actually asked the citizens for their input
about the type of attainable housing we need and want? Are the Rodeo Apartments
a long-term solution to attract skilled teachers, young professionals, nurses
and tradespeople to Granby? With a plan to build 300 apartments, are we choosing
quantity over quality? Phase 1 is for 108 rental units only. The people who
need attainable housing are the core of our community, but are we setting them
up for success by offering them a rental apartment where they can never build
equity?
As part of the deal, the town has given the land to a for-profit
developer at zero cost and waived school impact fees. Is this the best we can
do considering the town owns the land? Check out the Wellington neighborhood in
east Breckenridge to see what a deed restricted neighborhood can look like. That’s
a neighborhood anyone would be proud to live in, start a family, put down roots.
Let’s not waste this one time opportunity to develop the 30
acres that the town owns. I would like the Town of Granby to hit the pause
button on this project so it can truly engage our community because I have a
feeling if you asked around a 300 unit apartment complex is not what citizens
see as the best solution.
— Chris Michalowski, Granby