To the editor:
It seems we are being invaded by surveyors who work for the Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority (CIRHA). I had heard a rumor that they want to build an apartment complex (Section 8 housing) behind us in the open space and take out the duplex (at 820-822 16th St.) on the west end to make entrance for parking and driveway to apartments.
Last week I contacted Sparky (Perry Building Official Scott “Sparky” Kopecky) at city hall and passed that rumor to him. He stated that there are no permits or notifications for any of that and that it wouldn’t be happening. I contacted our resident real estate agent for info, and she told me that this area is not zoned for housing.
I do not intend to have anything built behind me in that small area and will fight like hell to prevent it.
I called CIRHA last week and asked to speak to the individual in charge of having the land surveyed. His name is James Adams, and he refused to return my call and said I left a rude message.
My message to him was of the facts that whoever was out here was rude to my neighbors when some asked and questioned what was going on.
On July 22, the surveyor and James Adams were out there, so I went to ask questions of why they would build out there on land that was not zoned for housing. I was told by Adams that it was his land and he could do what he wanted with it. I reminded him that it wasn’t his land and the city has no knowledge of what action he is taking.
He wasn’t happy that we had the land fixed for drainage years ago because of standing water. I informed him that was my doing because every year it flooded up to my back door, and they decided to drain because I was having the fire department out here every time to pump out the water. He informed me that he would have to cut out the garden back there because there was a drain in the middle.
He is a rude individual. He is constantly stating that this is his land. He also pointed out that Whiton’s backstop and a large part of their fence is on his property, planters over on Pat’s land were on his property and that overhangs of the garages are on his property.
All this for a town that used to have a large packing plant and now really has no large business for many employees, we even have new houses that were built and are now sitting empty. We don’t need more apartments especially built in such a small place.
Perry has enough properties available:
- Quail Run apartments
- Perry Park
- Kading properties
- Northgate
Senior income-based:
- Hamlin Bell
- Willis Avenue
- Eden Acres
- Candleridge
So, people, we need to voice our opinions with the city. We need them to know that all of us would be affected by this. I personally don’t want some crowded apartments back there by individuals who might choose to violate our privacy. The traffic and noise would be so intruding in such a small place.
We need a plan and everyone to contact the city to find out what we can do to prevent this.
Mary Ridgeway
Perry
Bro… chill.