The non-profit Eden Housing, Inc. was granted a one-year extension of its Exclusive Right to Negotiate Agreement by the Orinda City Council last week. The agreement was due to expire on December 14, 2011. The extension gives Eden the assurance that the City will not discuss or negotiate the development of the old library site with anyone other than Eden during the term of the agreement, and contains a commitment by Eden to diligently pursue the project.
Eden has been working to obtain financing for the development of an affordable senior housing project at 2 Irwin Way, the former location of the Orinda library.
Valerie Sloven of Lamorinda Housing Advocates, and Eartha Newsong, an active resident of the Orinda Senior Village who coordinated Orinda's Seniors Around Town program, spoke in support of affordable senior housing.
Council members then discussed and approved on a 4-1 vote the requested extension.
Vice Mayor Steve Glazer explained his reason for casting the lone dissenting vote, "I am very supportive of this affordable senior housing project and believe that Eden Housing is earnestly and sincerely working to advance this development. This exclusivity clause should have been a part of our original agreement with Eden and not presented as an add-on. It is for that reason that I voted against the original two-year agreement and why I am voting against the one-year extension."
City staff expressed an expectation that the project will return to the Council's agenda in February, 2012.
Eden has been working to obtain financing for the development of an affordable senior housing project at 2 Irwin Way, the former location of the Orinda library.
Valerie Sloven of Lamorinda Housing Advocates, and Eartha Newsong, an active resident of the Orinda Senior Village who coordinated Orinda's Seniors Around Town program, spoke in support of affordable senior housing.
Council members then discussed and approved on a 4-1 vote the requested extension.
Vice Mayor Steve Glazer explained his reason for casting the lone dissenting vote, "I am very supportive of this affordable senior housing project and believe that Eden Housing is earnestly and sincerely working to advance this development. This exclusivity clause should have been a part of our original agreement with Eden and not presented as an add-on. It is for that reason that I voted against the original two-year agreement and why I am voting against the one-year extension."
City staff expressed an expectation that the project will return to the Council's agenda in February, 2012.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA