New Berlin Development Opposition Flyer

A flyer came my way from those opposed to the New Berlin Development by MSP. I am reproducing it below, with my comments in italics.

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New Berlin residents
This time…let your voice be heard!

A large low-income housing project is in its final stages of approval at City Hall.

We seem to have missed the February meeting in which the Mayor and Plan Commission discussed this development. They said was open to the public;
but no one seemed to know about it…that is…until they voted to approve it.
(This seems to imply that they were hiding this nefariously. Public meetings are a matteer of public record and have to be duly advertised beforehand. )

The target is for families of 3 or 4 people that earn less than $30k/year. (This according to the May 3rd article in New Berlin Now). The Plan was approved by the Mayor and the Plan Commission on May 3rd for the NB City Center that could have some devastating affects on our city and its residents such as:
(Tell me, what is the minimum income threshold to live in New Berlin? 40K? 80K? 100K?)

▪ Decreased land and home values in the surrounding area

(Studies have shown this is not true)
▪ Tax increases to expand or change the current school system for new kids

(Not true. The school system can easily absorb the estimated number of students.)
▪ A possible increase in security for local businesses

(Low income= criminal?)
▪A possible need for additional police presence

(That'd be true with any population increase)
▪ Parking issues and increased traffic in the heart of New Berlin

(Considering this area is projected to be developed, that's a weird argument)
▪ A possible expansion of Milwaukee City’s busing system

(And this is bad...why?)
▪ A possible increase in crime

(Can they do that? List the same reason in three different ways?)
▪ Destruction of land that supports wildlife in the “City of Trees”

(Again, since this area is to be developed eventually, an odd complaint)

Businesses continue to leave the heart of New Berlin, which means jobs are leaving our area. The City’s efforts should focus on bringing in new businesses to the area, not more people seeking those jobs!

(Based on what I read, businesses left Central City because it has not developed as projected and there is not enough local population to support them. In other words, this is precisely why this development should occur!)


There is an upcoming event that you need to know about!

Monday, June 7, 2010
Plan Commission Meeting, 6:00 PM
Council Chambers at City Hall

This meeting is open to the public and there will be privilege of the floor during the 15 minutes prior to the meeting. Those of you who are concerned about this development and the direction of your city, make a statement by coming to the meeting.


Mayor Chiovatero voted for this plan. His phone number is 262-797-2441. His email address is jchiovatero@newberlin.org.
The local Alderwoman for District 5 is Deena Liska. Her phone number is 262-424-4886. Her email address is dliska@newberlin.org.
(And what is yours?)

Spread the word - whatever the district - this is the heart of your city.

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Many of those objections-if not all-would be true of ANY development. So why have I not heard of them protesting any other kind of development such as a middle-income single-family subdivision? After all, generally homeowners have more kids than apartment dwellers, so that's a bigger impact on schools. Let's see, hmm...fears of crime, fears of public transit....what's the word I'm looking for here, I can't quite think of it. I'm sure it'll come to me eventually.