To the Editor:

Madison government must  postpone making ANY additional commitments or obligations or taking any binding action on the recently discussed project with Parallel Housing for development of a proposed senior housing project in the College Drive property.
Local citizens should have the right to review and discuss zoning requests, site plans, architectural plans,  etc. and to obtain information from the City regarding possible traffic, public safety  and other issues related to the Parallel project. The community deserves the right to review information submitted to the City, and have an opportunity to voice any concerns.
The project is moving very fast and there are many basic questions unanswered. City representatives said they are unable to answer citizens’ questions because they themselves do not yet have answers from Parallel. Neither the City  nor the citizens can make an informed decision until information is shared with the City and the citizens. The importance of Parallel’s timetable (all approvals by June 1) cannot be allowed to propel this project even faster. If this proves to be a good project proposal and Parallel is not able to get all of the required City  approvals in time to submit their application to qualify for their  IRS tax breaks in early June, then they can wait until the next time they can file for those tax breaks. If it is a good idea for the City, citizens and Parallel today, then it should be equally good when they can file next year.

Flynn Clyburn
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the May 10, 2012 edition.