http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/07/11/letters-editor/460992001/
I live in the historic neighborhood of Lea’s Wood across from where Makowsky Ringel Greenberg LLC (MRG) wants to build an unacceptably large apartment complex. I strongly oppose this plan as do many of my neighbors. This development company is asking Memphis City Council for permission to ignore the design standards of our neighborhood and take away street parking from me and my neighbors. MRG wants to build a five-story apartment complex and completely ignore the concerns raised by many of Lea’s Woods’ residents.
Most of the houses in our neighborhood were built nearly 100 years ago, and many have narrow driveways that will accommodate a single car. My family is 2-car household, so one car always has to park on the street in front of our home (like many of our neighbors.) In addition to taking away our lovely view of Overton Park, MRG also wants to skimp on the number of parking spaces within its development. This means that homeowners would constantly be fighting for a parking space in front of our own homes. This is unacceptable.
MRG’s plan completely ignores our Lea’s Woods Historic Conservation District standards—which were approved by City Council in 2003. The proposed height of their apartments (up to five stories) violates the design standards of our neighborhood--where there is not a single building (including an existing apartment complex) above two stories.
I don’t harbor any animosity toward apartment-dwellers. I have been one myself. When my family decided to buy our home, we knew that we wanted to live in Midtown. When MRG ignores the protections of our neighborhood standards, they ignore the importance of what, for many of us, is the single biggest financial investment of our lives--our homes. If Memphis City Council goes against the advice of their own Office of Planning and Development and allows MRG to proceed with this development, the Council will set a negative precedent that will encourage other developers to simply ignore the historic standards of our vibrant Midtown neighborhoods, including 12 other Historic Districts.
Sara Voye, Memphis