Affordable Housing Takes A Hit After Residents
By Terry Schmida
Neighbors crowded into a lengthy Oct. 8 Marathon Planning Commission meeting to object.
Of particular concern to the residents were the prospect of increased traffic and parking problems, as well as environmental issues likely to be generated by the complex, which was to be built by Anchorage Homes LLC.
The density of the project was also a subject of concern to the residents, who applauded each others objections, and clapped loudly when the commission rendered its final verdict.
It would have included a mix of affordable and market-rate units.
The 12-unit proposal, should it receive approval by the City Council would probably be constructed and managed by Wendover Housing Partners LLC, which already has two Stock Island properties to its credit.
On the table now are two- and three-bedroom units that would be intended for low and very low income inhabitants, which for a Marathon family of four translates into just under $70,000 and about $44,000, respectively.
The lack of affordable housing is becoming an increasing concern in Marathon, as was brought into relief during the recent interviews for top-level City jobs.
During the Aug. 25 meeting that landed former Marathon Coast Guard base Operations Manager Charles Lindsey the city manager position, he stated that in his view, housing prices had gone through the roof, since he and his family had made their home here, back in 2010-13.
Lindsey also called the city’s increased property values “good news for Marathon . . . but not such a good thing for the Lindsey family
“Everything’s going to fail eventually,” if the situation facing local workers isn’t remedied, he added.
Other potential building sites include the city-owned property at 104th Street.
“Every day there are families leaving the Keys,” Councilman Bill Kelly said during that discussion. “There are more hotels coming online and more businesses. We all need workers . . . let’s get this done.”
Vice-Mayor Mark Senmartin has suggested paring the city with a private entity such as Habitat for Humanity, or the Middle Keys Land Trust to get affordable unit construction underway at 104th Street.
A $750,000 chunk of cash turned over by the forthcoming Marlin Bay Yacht Club builders for worker housing, could be used to assist in the scheme, the council agreed.
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