[NENA] Council decision on the La Cueva Sector Plan Amendment

[Joe and Jean Yardumian]

WE WON WITH A UNANIMOUS COUNCIL VOTE.

 

Blow-by-blow is below:

 

The La Cueva Amendment item was in the group of council final actrions, so
we knew that it would be late before Council action.  Scary part was that
Brad was tied up at the APS Board Meeting and Michael Cadigan was t another
meeting so our potential vote count didn't look good.  Finally Brad got to
the meeting, but Michael was still absent.  Brad called me off to the back
of the chambers and said that he was very concerned regarding our support
base with Michael absent and that we might have to defer.  We agreed to wait
to see how things would develop before he had to ask for a deferral.

 

NENA had Lisa Abeyta, Stephen Wilding, and Jean & Joe Yardumian present,
Vena had Pat Verrelle, Jimmie Verrelle, Hank Happ, Duke, and a lady whose
name I've forgotten, present.  

 

Michael Cadigan showed up and we breathed a sigh of relief , until Debbie
O'Malley had to leave.  At this point we had no good feeling for how things
would turn out.

 

Brad made an excellent introduction of the item and then had Bruce Thompson,
Council Lawyer presnt the history and court decisions regarding the
amendment.  Bruce was superb.

 

Speakers from the audience were next.

 

  Fortunately, Forster, Keeran's lawyer was first up so we were in a
position to counter his arguments if needed.

Lisa was our first speaker, and gave a "calm" but passionate presentation of
the impact the existing language of the plan section was having on homes in
the area.  I followed Lisa, noted the NENA Board unanimous support for the
amendment, countered the erroneous arguments used  before the EPC regarding
lower density and the supposed impact on taxes to support infrastructure
costs, and countered one of Foster' arguements.  Pat Verrelle, who worked
long and hard for years on the La Cueva Plan was up next and gave an
impassioned and sincere plea to the council for support of the amendment
Pat is always good at this.  Finally but not least, Stephen Wilding
presented very effective, sincere praise for the neighborhoods, the city,
the council, and the US system.  Most impressive.  

 

The voting followed shortly after, with councilors making statements in
favor, and we were SHOCKED when they voted UNANIMOUSLY in favor of the
amendment.

 

Joe Yardumian

NENA Secty

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