To the Editor:
As resident of the West Taylor Run neighborhood, John Chapman and his neighborhood constituents had a vested interest in the outcome of the Woodbine Care Center located off King Street. The issue at hand was the city's desire to change the zoning from residential to commercial to support the construction of a 75,000-square-foot nursing facility in a residential neighborhood. The residents of the immediately affected area had discussed this issue with Mr. Chapman voicing their opposition to this change in zoning. The feeling was that not only was the structure too large and out of place, but if the zoning could be changed in this case, it would open the door for other zoning changes displacing residential zoning with commercial zoning rights. Mr. Chapman assured the citizenry that he was not for this project and that the would vote against it.
The neighborhood went a step further and solicited the signatures of 275 neighbors stating that they did not wish the the nursing facility to be built because it was too large for the lots, it would cause excess noise and traffic and it would set a precedent for other zoning changes across the city. As a result of this petition, two negative votes against this zoning change would kill the the bill proposing a zoning change. Allison Silberberg, a neighborhood’s best friend was a committed no vote and John Chapman was the second no vote — which would kill the proposal.
As a result of the petition and the two-vote knock out rule, Chapman under the influence of Mayor Euille decided to change his vote and he voted yes for the project. The result was a 6-1 vote and the measure passed even with the signed petition because of Mr. Chapman's swing vote. Going back three years, John Chapman has never voted against Mayor Euille in a City Council vote. This backroom politics is distasteful and I found it necessary to share this with you. If you the citizens want representation I suggest you look to someone else.
Mary Louise Rannis
Alexandria