From: J Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 9:14 AM To: Lee, Chris Cc: Bauman, Robert; Marcoux, Rocky; Mayor Tom Barrett; doughagerman@gmail.com; famdett@wi.rr.com Subject: Reject Change in Zoning at 1550 North Prospect Ave. Honorable Members of the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee c/o Chris Lee The purpose of this email is to request the members of the ZND Committee to reject the proposed change in zoning to a new Detailed Planned Development for a multi-family residential development at 1550 N. Prospect Ave. Although my husband and I will be unable to attend your meeting on July 19 to publicly voice our concerns, we want to make sure that our very strong objections to this proposal are communicated and properly considered: * As we understand it, the City's zoning standards suggest a building with 112,000 square feet is appropriate on this lot. The developer proposes a building over 3 times that density, with the building jammed right up to our property boundaries; and no good reason has been offered as to why the City's density standards should be so drastically exceeded. Given the number of proposed apartments, there could be an increase of 400-500 residents next door with: (1) inadequate guest parking; (2) inadequate space for moving vans (which will be many and frequent given a 200 unit apartment building); (3) inadequate space for other service trucks to park/unload as well; and (4) perhaps even more disturbing, inadequate access for emergency vehicles. Not only will all of this cause daily traffic jams on Prospect Ave. and major inconvenience to all people in the neighborhood, but the safety of the many people who walk, jog, bike and live along Prospect will be compromised as well. * Building such a massive tower on such a small lot -- while still making room for the mansion -- requires 40-50% of the proposed building's footprint to be built past the crest of the bluff and it would need to be built on pilings. Not only will this dramatically alter the location and shape of the bluff and destroy the pleasant sight line that has been created by existing buildings. It could potentially compromise the stability of the bluff, as well as the surrounding buildings. As we understand it, the developer has apparently not been requested to provide-- nor has he offered-- any engineering or geological study to determine if the additional massive weight on the bluff poses any hazards for the surrounding buildings. Given the massive amounts of pile driving needed alone, damage to surrounding buildings is likely. Who is going to monitor these buildings and provide adequate financial coverage for any damage? From our understanding, the contractor's liability insurance is wholly inadequate to protect the neighbors from damage to their homes resulting from this development. The residents of 1522 pay $1.25 million annually in property taxes and have the right to have our concerns not only heard but taken seriously -- with a monstrosity right on our property line, with traffic nightmares on our street, and with likely damage to the surrounding properties caused by the reckless plan to build a huge residential tower past the crest of the bluff. It is abundantly clear to almost everyone -- with the possible exception of the developer -- that the 1550 N. Prospect lot is much too small to jam in a building of that footprint and density. Perhaps the developer would be willing to find a bigger lot -- e.g., somewhere in the Third Ward -- where such a development would be much more suitable and appreciated. It seems irresponsible for the ZND Committee to even consider approving such a massive project without ensuring that the above issues are properly considered and addressed. In fact, we believe that if the members of the ZND Committee were to thoroughly investigate our concerns -- which are shared by all of our neighbors up and down Prospect Ave., they would determine that rejecting this proposal is the only decision that can be reached in accordance with the mandate that the City's Zoning Code of Ordinances (section 295-103) provides them. More simply, rejecting this proposal is the only decision that protects our neighborhood and residents, as well as the peace and quality of life we have paid dearly to enjoy. Respectfully, Judy (Solochek) Jacobson and Bruce Jacobson 1522 N. Prospect Ave. #804 Milwaukee, WI 53202