Southwest Community Association

Urgent Zoning Case - Call Councilman Martin, Call Mayor Garza!

Nov 27, 2002

Zoning Case # Z2002027, was postponed to the Thu, Dec 12th, City Council meeting for decision. Although previously opposed to this proposed 176-unit affordable, property-tax exempt, apartment complex, Councilman Martin now seems to be it?’s biggest supporter. We reviewed the information, in good faith, and are still opposed to it, believing it with further destabilize our area, cause us to pay more property taxes, and decrease the value of our homes. None of the people we?’ve heard about who support it, live here. If it goes through, they won?’t have to live with the results, we will.
To try to get our support for this project (called Heatherwilde Estates) the developers tell us they?’ll sign contracts to change the income mix of the project and also to pay school district property taxes. However, the state approved funding for this project specifically because of the income mix, so how can they legally do otherwise? The state also put in the written condition of written proof of their property tax exemption, so how can they legally do otherwise? [Besides, school district property taxes account for about 48% of the property tax we pay. What of the other 52%? We?’d have to make up that difference. Also, the district?’s lawyers don?’t believe that the amounts they say they?’ll pay will compensate for the additional students in the district.]
IF YOU CARE, WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Call or write Councilman Martin 9207-7281, FAX 207-7027, ?“district4@sanantonio.gov?”) AND Mayor Garza (207-7060, FAX 207-4077, ?“mayoredgarza@sanantonio.gov?”) telling them to VOTE AGAINST this project. Ask to speak with each of them personally; that is your right.
- Sign our petition against it and get your neighbors to sign. If you have any questions or need a petition, call 623-4965. (We?’ll need all petitions back by Wed, Dec 11th.)
- Because this crucial decision is now up for all Council members to vote on, explain the situation to all of your co-workers and relatives who live in other city council districts. Ask them to call their Council member to tell them to VOTE AGAINST this project. (All Council members?’ names and phone numbers are in the blue pages of the SBC Yellow Pages.)
- Because Bexar County Housing Authority is also involved with this project and never sought input of the affected neighborhood, call County Judge Wolff (335-2626) and our County Commissioner Tejeda (335-2611) telling them you don?’t appreciate how the county handled this project (without getting neighborhood input) and you are against it.
- Write letters to the Editor of the SA Express-News.
- If you can, attend the Dec 12th Council meeting. We need many people there.
If we are to defeat this project, WE MUST ALL MAKE NOISE from now until Dec 12th.