When Neighbors Unite - by Cathy Burton

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The opinions expressed in these articles and features are those of their author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of McANA or the opinion of its Directors or Officers.

When Neighbors Unite
by Cathy Burton
[President of McANA]

This week I had the honor and privilege of watching a neighborhood do what neighborhoods do best; making sure their voice is heard and their future is not discarded. I do not know their entire story (although I hope to), but I want to share what I do know. I should apologize in advance if I am a little fuzzy on some of the particulars, but what these neighbors did is worth telling, even if the details are not all here.

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email asking if MCANA would take a position on a pending zoning petition in the 1700 block of Massachusetts Avenue. The petition sought to locate a 350 bed men's work release correctional facility in an empty industrial building on a three acre tract that backs up to a residential area. And yes, MCANA took a position to oppose the zoning. But that really is not what my article is about. It is about David and Goliath.

Normally, MCANA's land use chairman would have handled this situation, but this time, the task fell to me. I will admit that while the neighbors' description of the situation sounded pretty bleak, I needed to go check things out for myself - after all, zoning matters can often elicit some pretty extreme reactions from people. So one weekend afternoon, I decided I needed to drive up and see the area for myself.

I am not terribly familiar with the Windsor Park neighborhood, or the area around Brookside Park, or the industrial/commercial area where the site of the rezoning was. So it took me a little while and a few wrong turns to make sure I was in the right place, but I had a chance to really see the neighborhood while I was on my scavenger hunt.

I saw houses that had been standing for decades, maybe longer - some that might be on their way out, but others that were on their way back up - many in a state somewhere in between. I saw the people who lived there - on their porches, in their yards - visiting with friends - washing their cars - kids on their bikes - teenagers hanging out on the corner. I saw yards - some clearly could have used a little care - others obviously kept with a loving hand. I saw old trees, I saw litter on the street, I saw steep banks that must be hard to mow and sidewalks that could use some patching. I saw flower boxes and someone carrying in their groceries and a mail carrier making his rounds. I saw more than a neighborhood - I saw the place these people called home.

Then I found the building that someone thought would be a good place to put a large correctional facility. I drove down the only thing that separated it from this neighborhood - an 18 foot, unsecured alley. I was appalled that anyone could have so little regard for this neighborhood, even if it is a little worn out, even if it has residents that have seen their share of trouble.

So I went back and asked a few more questions, looked at all the information the neighbors sent me, verified some of their numbers, asked some more questions, and read their emails again. The more I found out, the more alarmed I became for what could happen to this neighborhood if this facility were approved.

When I was first contacted, I thought these neighbors didn't have a chance. After all, they were opposing the will of the government (well some of the government.) They were throwing a road block in efforts to relieve prison overcrowding and rehabilitate criminal offenders. They didn't find out about the plans for the property until more than a year after the "experts" had started working on the proposal. From many angles, it looked like they were going to be victims of a huge (albeit over-taxed) criminal justice system. When faced with odds like these, some neighbors just give up, accept whatever cards they are dealt and figure they have no say in what happens. All too often, they are right.

Despite the odds - despite the fact that they do not have a lot of money or resources to pour into a zoning fight - this neighborhood did not throw in the towel. They did not adopt apathy as their only path. They did their research. They kept asking questions. They appealed to their legislators. They got organized. They overcame past differences. They didn't take no for an answer. They talked to each other. They reached out in every direction they could to build a credible, well thought out remonstrance. They left no stone unturned. And in the end, they prevailed. They beat the odds and the zoning was denied.

Congratulations to the neighbors of the near east side. A lot of us could learn from their efforts. Their victory was more than a zoning victory. They proved that EVERY neighborhood is important. They earned the respect of a lot of people - most importantly themselves.

Cathy Burton