I want to thank everyone who turned out Wednesday night to on the future of the Oddstad School property.
There were differences of opinions but that is good. This was a brainstorming session to hear from members of the community about what they want. The (PSD) is seeking to lease the property on a long-term basis to a developer.
Several people from Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA) proposed that affordable housing be built. This group spoke of their concern for new teachers just out of college earning $30K-$35K/year being unable to live in Pacifica or new college graduates who have to pay off student loans. They were followed by several people who live in Park Pacifica (including myself), who voiced their opinions that high density, low-income housing units might breed crime, gangs and drug dealers.
Having lived in Park Pacifica for nearly 30 years, I love this quiet, safe neighborhood. If low-cost housing units are built, what guarantee do we have that the types of people the PIA group were talking about (teachers, EMTs, paramedics, etc.) would move into these apartments? What guarantee do we have that instead of struggling college graduates we have high school dropouts or gang members move in who take advantage of the low-cost housing and totally change the quality of life in our neighborhood?
While Pacifica and the entire Bay Area is an expensive place to live, as a realtor I can say with certainty that purchasing a home in our area is more affordable than it has been in years. Home prices have fallen 25-plus percent, interest rates are at historic lows - below 4 percent and FHA loans are available with low down payments - under 5 percent. There is affordable housing available now in Pacifica.
One of the speakers at the meeting was a retired police officer who lives directly across from Oddstad School. She said living in Park Pacifica was like living in "Mayberry" and she did not want to see that changed. She has seen what can happen in communities like Daly City and San Bruno with low-cost housing projects. She is in a position to know. I did not hear anyone from the PIA group say they lived close to Oddstad School. I do. I am not a heartless person. I just want my grandchildren who play in this court to be safe as well as all the children in Park Pacifica. I like living in "Mayberry".
