Below is an email I received from the Ballentine-Dutch Fork Civic Association. It appears it’s a forward from our local County Councilman, Bill Malniowski asking for your input on a proposed Housing Development in our area.
As information, here is the letter I sent last week on your behalf. As Councilman Malinowski mentions, a letter from you can also help.
*****
This relates to the previous e-mails regarding the low income apartments they want to put across from Ballentine Elementary school. This would be 56 apartments of low income housing. There are already new apartments on 176 which have 316 units as well as new apartments on Marina Road of 216 apartments. The developers claim that their “market research” indicates this type of housing is needed in Ballentine due to the increase in “retail business”. Is this what you want your community to be for the future, consisting of continual apartments. This is not the right direction for our town of Ballentine.
Subject: Wendover Housing Project
Please have as many people as possible IMMEDIATELY write letters of objection to the housing project across from Ballentine Elementary school. While it may not be possible to get them all in one envelope for a thicker, more impressive stack of letters, at least get them sent out ASAP.
They should be addressed to Ms. Laura Nicholson, Development Director, SC State Housing Finance & Development Authority, 300-C Outlet Pointe Blvd., Columbia, SC 29210.
The letter should state why he/she feels Wendover Housing Partners, LLC of Altamonte Springs, Florida should be denied their request for Low Income Housing Tax Credits to construct 56 units of just over 3 acres across from Ballentine Elementary School.
Some of those reasons could be the overcrowding of schools already at or exceeding capacity, increased traffic delays and congestion, the lack of need for this type of housing in the Ballentine area, and no public transportation to get residents to jobs that will obviously be located somewhere else in the Midlands area since there is no real job market here.
If you had time to review the market research/analysis conducted the person who did it is comparing the need for this type of housing to already existing and filled developments in the Harbison area, stating it is only 6 miles away. That is a totally ridiculous comparison in an effort to skew the figures. It would be like saying a need for low income housing exists in Shandon or Forest Acres because they need it in W. Cola or Cayce.
Since their application was due at the Authority by last Friday get those letters out now.
Bill Malinowski
And so it begins. This is precisely why so many of us opposed the large retail store in Ballentine to begin with; the infrastructure simply does not exist to appropriately service the demands that, without fail, logically follow. The Field of Dreams adage remains true: “If you build it, they will come.” In this case, for this project, Bickley Road may as well be a cornfield in remote Iowa. The respective infrastructures and ability to support this kind of development and all that would follow aren’t that far apart.
Please NO!! That ruined the Harbison area and I don’t want to see what happened there happen here. I love this area and pray it stays the way it is. My family and I rarely visits the Harbison area due to how bad it has gotten. We no longer feel safe. Columbiana Mall has become what Columbia Mall is. Not to mention after a certain time in the evening you begin seeing “gang” type activity. With that said I am begging for this to NOT be allowed to happen.
Thank you Nathan for being our voice. The information you’ve provided is greatly appreciated by so many.
This is another case of out of state developers not knowing or caring about the areas they put these apartments in. Bickley Road is already bad enough with traffic cutting through from the interstate to Dutch Fork Road. The traffic in the morning and the afternoon at Ballentine Elementary backs up both ways and already has parents making u-turns in driveways and the end of Wise Road where it meets Bickley Road.This is DIRECTLY across from the proposed apartments. There is no retail area to speak of that would provide any of these residents jobs. To get to the areas with any employment, they would most probably need public transit, again some thing NON-EXISTENT and in no planning stage by the City of Columbia for this area.
And when, not if, the public transit comes through, it will be unfortunate for this lovely town. It will be another Harbison. How far out does one need to move to live in peace and safety?
Another devoloper that is looking to make a quick dollar and have the US government subsidize rent for those that feel they deserve a free ride. So they can go stand on the corner and get a check for doing nothing to support our economy. Every place I can recall that has low income housing has 3 major things in common. (1) High crime, Home invasions, murder, rape,and vandalism. (2) Decreased property values of surrounding properties, resulting in decline in surrounding neighborhoods. This is the Detroit affect. (3) Increased costs to police departments because of increased police presence in these high crime areas. When are we as Middle and upper income homeowners that moved or inherited property out here going to stand up and elect representatives that will not buckle under to the almighty potential income tax dollar to the counties involved. We are not Charlotte or Atlanta. We need to pay attention to what has happened to the outlying areas and some of the messes created by poorly thoughtout urban growth. This has nothing to do with race. This has everything to do with 2nd and 3rd generation wellfair recepients and expecting the government to raise the kids and provide an equal living standard because they were born. And those of US who hold down a job, pay the taxes we do, are providing the income to the government to supply food stamps, housing, and now phones to these people that are not true Americans! Why should these people have the same lifestyle as those of us that have WORKED for our little piece of property that can be so negativly affected by a decision to allow R-3 housing in our area?
Dear Mr. Plexico,
You have spoken true facts. To add to this Ballentine has no need for additional housing. The influx of Walmart has not increased this area’s need for housing. In fact the 2 strip shopping centers in Ballentine have never been full in 25 years. We have just added 2 apartment complexes in this area which is enough.
This area already is considered rural housing and low-income families can move in $100k homes with $1500 down.
Friarsgate is full of rental homes for $600 per month!
The affects of the low-income property on Harbison Blvd. is prime example of what Hud projects can do to an area. This area is not in need of additional homes.
I HOPE EVERYONE WILL TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE YOUR OBJECTION TO :
Ms. Laura Nicholson
Development Director
SC State Housing
Finance and Development Authority
300-C Outlet Point Blvd.
Columbia, SC 29210
I would hate to see this happen. I have not seen any good out of the lower income housing put into Harbison, so I doubt that any good will happen if it is put in Ballentine. I wonder if I should be putting my house on the market before it comes to a head. What an absolute shame?!
If this happens I will vote every one involved out and I will advocate to as many people as I can to vote the same way. There is enough low income housing in columbia. I pay for my housing, let everyone else do the same.
Please say NO. This area is now a nice place to live and to raise a family. Anytime low income housing (government supported) comes to a community, the results are not good. Gangs move in, and of course the drug problem becomes epidemic. Look at the areas on this side of town, where all the low income housing became the standard, it is not pretty, i.e. parts of Harbison, the area around Dutch
square, Broad River Road, et al. There are places around Duch Square, and Broad River where it is not safe to be out after dark. Is this what we want or need? The developer obviously plans to make profit off this plan. The developer is from a part of Florida where that type of community is the norm. We do not want that kind of “norm” for our area. We need to stand up and voice our opinions.
In addition to the mailing address that Melinda provided above for Laura Nicholson, her e-mail address is Laura.Nicholson@schousing.com OR you can e-mail her assistant Courtney.Edelen@schousing.com and Courtney will print the e-mails and put them in the application file. She said they will be taken into consideration during the approval process.
Please state the reasons why the Low Income Housing Credit Tax Credits should be denied for Wendover Housing Partners, LLC as Mr. Malinowski stated: No job market, No public transportation, overcrowding of schools, already overworked infrastructure, strain on Fire & Police services and all of this is without the 500+ apartments all ready built in Ballentine which are not even to capacity yet!!
I’m trying to understand where this “NEED” is coming from… Increase in “retail business”? Then why do ALL 3 strip shopping centers in Ballentine – INCLUDING WALMART’S – consistently have empty retail spaces?
This reminds me of when a factory would build cheap housing for its workers and the employees living in factory housing would also have to shop at the factory store, use the factory Dr, bank, etc. Instead of Walmart supplying the demand they are demanding the supply (cheap labor) and the government is paying them (credits) to do so!!
Well stated Mr. Plexico!
No one goes to Harbison any more –it’s too crowded!
(tip of the hat to Yogi Bera)
If this came to pass it would not be “public housing” it would only be affordable rental property for people who go to work and pay their way jsut like you. They just either haven’t yet choosen to or saved enough to buy a single family home. For whatever reason they choose to rental. They will be the kids that go to school at Ballentine, the teachers who teach there, the people who drive the buses, the nurses who care for them and the police and firefighters who keep you safe. They WILL NOT be occupied by people standing in the medium with sign boards.
No one commenting on here has even seen the proposal!! yet everyone seems to know all about it.
Six Myths of Affordable Housing
1: Myth: Affordable Housing lowers property values.
Reality: Well designed, properly managed affordable housing developments do not have a negative effect on neighboring property values. Vacant and blighted properties that have been developed into housing have spurred investment in neighboring properties, actually raising values.
2: Myth: Affordable Housing increases crime.
Reality: There is no correlation between safe, decent and affordable housing and crime. What does cause crime is community disinvestment, overcrowding, and the lack of jobs and community services. Failure to build affordable housing leads to blight, conditions of overcrowding, absentee ownership, and deteriorating properties with no alternatives for low-income families.
3: Myth: Affordable Housing produces more traffic.
Reality: Building affordable housing near jobs and schools shortens commutes and eases congestion.
4: Myth: People in affordable housing won’t fit into my neighborhood.
Reality: Affordable simply means that housing shouldn’t cost more than 30 percent of the household income—the same standard used by banks in approving home mortgages. Most residents of affordable housing developments have full-time jobs.
5: Myth: Affordable Housing overburdens public schools and infrastructure.
Reality: Infrastructure costs per unit decline significantly as density increases, and, with greater school stability due to the availability of affordable housing, public schools benefit from improved academic performance and test scores.
6: Myth: Affordable Housing is ugly.
Reality: The latest generation of affordable and mixed-use housing is based on good planning, minimal impact and re-creating the neighborhood design. Affordable housing can fit the style and size of any community. It is privately owned, designed and developed.
THINK ABOUT IT~!
Jupiter, obviously you don’t have an original thought or idea that belongs to you. You started your rant with numerous misspellings and improper use of words (incorrect context). Then all of your so called myths were written concisely and grammatically correct. So where did you get that information that you so generously plagerized for us? You must also not live here and enjoy what the residents of this area do. Don’t try to give all your information as truths when the proof is in the facts in the Richland County Court system, the City of Columbia courts and the Town of Irmo police records. Harbison is a disaster. Not only logistically but also from the decline in the schools in and around it and the increase of high crimes. You seem to want to change the wording of low income housing to “affordable housing”. The problem with that is the proposed homes to be built are called low income for a reason. They will be government subsidized housing. No offense to you or anyone else but I chose to live here for several reasons. The schools, the ease of travel due to low traffic, and the neighborhood I live in with its many amenities. As a concerned citizen and father of two Ballentine Elementary students I’m sure you would understand if I disagree with your comments.
Affordable housing, are you kidding me! Don’t pee on me and tell me it’s raining bub! Or should I say, Clayton Ingram!!!! Your remarks sound familiar to a recent article in today’s paper.
Either the Federal Government or South Carolina Department of Housing is intruding into the sphere of community health and happiness. Ballentine has always been and should remain an upper middle class community. Anyefforts to change the pattern of the community should be done by referendum and not by will of Housing Authorities who choose to ignore the wishes of the electorate. This is government intervention at its worst when government decides to introduce low cost, subsidized apartments into a community that has no such elements. this is not an objection based on discrimination, but an objection based on the worst type of government intrusion into neighborhoods–trying to change the make-up of neighborhoods by unwanted governmental action.
The Ballentine/Dutch Fork area will be contributing millions of dollars to Richland County through the passage of the 1c. sales tax increase, yet we will receive no benefits that will positively impact our community. The majority of our roads are state roads and will not benefit from any of the sales tax dollars raised.
I suggest the indivuduals responsible for these planning and development decisions conduct a referndum of the voters of the Ballentine area to determine what they think about this proposal to build low-cost subsidized housing opposite Ballentine Elementary School. It stinks.
I am absolutely against more rental housing in Ballentine area, and even more vehemently opposed to low income housing for the myriad of reasons stated above. Those of us who have worked hard to get to a point in life where we can afford to live in this tranquil beautiful little town have earned it. We didn’t get here because the government paid for it. We earned it. Truly it is a right for EVERYONE to have this opportunity, but only if they EARN it through hard work and paying their dues as we all have.
Since early childhood we’ve all heard the adage, one bad apple spoils the basket full of apples. It’s an adage born of truth. Bring the low income housing to Ballentine, and eventually you’ll see nothing but low income in the area, and the people with means will move out.
Ballentine is too small to deal with the issues that would arise from having yet another housing complex built regardless of the income of the occupants. Our roads are already overcrowded, our services are limitied, and we get NO relief from the State or Richland County even though our property taxes are some of the highest in the county. We are passed over when it comes to things like road improvements because most of our roads are state maintained. We have second-hand fire trucks, no police presence, no job base for the occupants, and a small elementary school that simply can’t support the extra students that the two housing complexes already built will force in our area.
There is no “need” for low-income housing in our area. Ballentine offers nothing in the way of employment, transportation, or adequate services. It is a very small community that is already straining to serve a growing population. Let’s call it what it is. This is an opportunity for a developer who has no vested interest in our state, county, or community to make money and for those in a state agency to pick an area with less residents to offer resistance.
I especially take issue with the comments made by Jupiter above. All of us see what follows low income housing. These supposed “myths” would be laughable under other circumstances. One only has to visit Columbia Mall, Five Points, Dutch Fork Mall, the county library on Broad River Road, Friarsgate, or read the crime section of the paper to know what accompanies low-income housing. We have seen the reality with our own two eyes, Mr. Jupiter.
I actually have read the 2013 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) for the Low-Income Housing Credit (LIHTC) Program which was created by Congress to promote development of “affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.” There are several “Criteria” levels (based on a point system) which a developer has to pass in order to receive approval of its application for the credits (up to $750k per for developers in the general pool!) and they actually get points for TARGETING INDIVIDUALS ON WAITING LISTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING!! They also get higher points for developments at or below 56 units… hmmm… this one is for 56 units.
The developer is aware of opposition but has faced opposition before in Florida and has won. So they are well versed in what they need to do. They will try “town meetings” to address asthetics, try to tell people what Jupiter was espousing, etc.
If it comes down to a “Tie Breaker” for awarding the credits one of the favorable factors would be for developments that provide letters of POSITIVE support from the City Manager, Mayor, etc. let’s make sure this will NOT happen! Also, Homeowner Associations need to start petitions in their neighborhoods!
We need to form our own county, make our own zoning decisions and start supporting candidates in Federal offices who oppose stealing from one group to prop up another. It’s failed in Europe, it’s failed here, but it continues. The nonsense posted above by Jupiter obviously came from some bureaucrats website justifying their programs. I already have teachers, policemen, and others as my neighbors. I came here 19 years ago to get away from this. My neighborhood in East Columbia had this happen in the late 70′s. I can tell you it went from being a neighborhood to just “the hood”. These developers in Florida couldn’t care less about this area and you can bet they have someone local here helping them. It all starts at the federal level. Anyone who voted for Obama has no room to complain. These type programs fit his “Vision of America” to a T.
For issues like this guidance from The Bible can be particularly illuminating. Words in RED even more so: Matthew 25 41-46 “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.Then shall they also answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or thirst, or a stanger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.”
First, if you are going include facts within your arguments please post your statistical sources. Anyone can make up numbers to support their ideas.
I do not support this, or any housing / commercial expansion in this area. There are some folks that simply believe that a community needs to continue to grow in size and services to be successful. I commute 40+ minutes to my job downtown on purpose. I like to live in a small quiet community and suspect a lot of folks do too. However, that concept is slowly being eroded away by others that constantly feel the need to expand and grow as a community. Whether that means more and bigger schools, more shopping, more communities, etc. you do not get all that without more infrastructure, more taxes, more mismanagement, more traffic, and more undesirable elements being injected into the system.
I will write our local representatives regarding my objections to this and believe you all should too. I think it might also be a good idea to pool our resources together, find out where the Wendover Housing Development folks live, and start a low-income housing project in their area too. Sauce for the goose!
PLEASE NO!!!! I dont’t want this coming to my area! Thats why we moved to the Ballentine-Chapin area! There is no “need” for low-income housing in our area.
PLEASE NO!!!!
Hi, my name is Aimee Ellison, I would greatly appreciate you reconsidering placing the Wendover housing community on Bickley rd across from Ballentine elementary. We take pride in our community and do not believe that this is in our community’s best interest! I have 2 children that attend Ballentine Elementary and the school is close to capacity. The traffic on Bickley rd around school opening and dismissal is also already bad enough. We have also seen a rise in crime rate in the area since other low income housing has been put in over the last several years. I am not at all putting down low income families but I would just like to protect my community and my family. Thanks so much for reading this and I am sure you will make the right decision for m=
y community, Aimee Ellison
NO!
Many people in this community paid dearly for their property, (*and still are paying dearly!) While I realize low income housing is a necessary thing, I do feel it could bring down the value of homes that were here first. Crime has already increased in the area. I know several who have been victims of robbery in their homes, barns, etc. already and I see this as making it much worse. Please, please stay on this fight for the residents of the Ballentine area! Developers should not be allowed to move low income in just to support WAL-MART’s sales. That’s absurd logic. Thanks, Nathan!!! We appreciate you being our voice!
To everyone concerned over a project of this magnitude, and what it will do to our community. Email and write letters to Ms. Laura Nicholson, Development Director, SC State Housing Finance & Development Authority, 300-C Outlet Pointe Blvd., Columbia, SC 29210.
The people of Chapin better pay close attention to this and voice their concerns as well. Because if a project like this comes there will be several more to follow. Let everyone know in our community and the surrounding communities to voice their concerns in writing! Don’t forget Ballentine Park and what may happen to this beautiful park area as well. It will ultimately become a loitering spot. Just remind all of the parents that take their children to this park for sporting events etc. WHAT WILL COME OF OUR PARK!
Where do you think the new residence of this project will come from? That’s right the Harbison area. They will relocate to Ballentine. If this project goes through it will be like a nuclear bomb going off in the area. The fallout will be felt for miles around. You hear me White Rock, Hilton, Chapin! All of these communities need to PUT IN WRITING TO LAURA NICHOLSON that we will fight this development for the safety of our communities, schools, and parks!!!!
I am starting to hear rumblings that this project can be stopped if this particular property is annexed into Irmo. Which Irmo is willing to do. I will clarify this as I hear more. All registered voters need to be aware of this. Especially if this can be averted.
Registered Voter….The residents of Ballentine were greatly opposed to the building of Walmart. Meeting after meeting the Town of Irmo…which annexed the property to build Walmart told the residents to sit down and shut up because you are not residents of Irmo. I oppose any annexation by the Town of Irmo. Do you really think that Irmo would support Ballentine residents? Of course Irmo would love to annex it. More tax dollars!
Dana at this point what choice do we have. I agree with everything you have stated. But do you roll the dice on this project or let Irmo intervene? I’m willing to take my chances on this!
My family recently bought a house in a subdivision located in Irmo. We chose this area because of it’s small town feel, but yet located in close proximity to anything a person might need. I hope that, the proposed low income housing project is voted down. I’ve seen what this type of housing does to a community. It will change the dynamcs of the school, the amount of crime, and our feeling of safety. I want to go on record as opposing this project. Please protect this nice community. Our new home.
I believe that if they put this low-income housing it will attract more drug and crime problems in the area. This is such a nice area and if you let poor people in it will do nothing but ruin our beautiful community. It will send our property values down the toilet and will negatively affect our schools. Look what low income housing has done to Irmo, Saint Andrews, and Seven Oaks. It turned nice respectable communities into drug infested wastelands! Do not let this happen!!
When we looked for a home to purchase to rear our 4 children we loved Ballentine. The small town feel, low crime rate and not the problems other areas in Irmo are having. I remember Harbison was a great area to shop and dine but now you have to be on the look out. A lot of people were against the new Wal Mart, me included because it has not taken a couple of years to see what type of people are driving here to shop or steal. Let’s look at Harbison west, let’s look HE Corley when we speak of low income. The report cards are on line, the free lunch is on line. Ballentine Elementary and DFMS and DFHS were and are one main reason we moved here. This wonderful area does not WANT or NEED low income multi family rental units. Since the “luxury Apartments” were built near the DMV the local store has seen an increase in stealing and break ins, coincidence? There is a reason that a there isn’t a low income apartments in Ballentine, WE THE PEOPLE DO NOT WANT THIS HERE AT ALL. I do not wish for the schools to be any more crowed, nor do i wish for the Schools to be tarnished with the people t will bring. We also do not want our property values to drastically drop due to these low income, government subsidized housing project. If it’s built that s exactly what will happen. Crime will increase, school over crowding, property values will tank. rental properties will soar due that people will not want to buy in Ballentine. We the people of BALLENTINE/IRMO should not allow this.