During tomorrow night’s Oakley City Council meeting, I will ask the housing element to be changed. I think the council should designate the Southwest corner of Laurel Rd and O’Hara Avenue for affordable housing, in place of 901 East Cypress Road. I understand the owner of the vacant lot on the S/W corner is the same owner of Laurel Plaza. The empty lot owner desires to build affordable housing on the location, and I cannot see any reason to deny him the opportunity to do so.
The area East of Main St and South of East Cypress Rd has a disproportionate number of affordable housing locations. I oppose the concentration of affordable housing in one area of the city. Doing so segregates the population by income level rather than creating an inclusive community throughout the city neighborhoods. Now would be a good time to let all council members know of your thoughts regarding the affordable housing issue.
George Fuller, MPA, MA
City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA
