To the Editor:
Many thanks to Bowling Green Council for months of hard work on the zoning code update.
Our group, Save our BG Neighborhoods, which formed in December around concerns with the Pedestrian Residential District. It will continue as BG STRONG. Our involvement with the rezoning process can serve as an object lesson in effective grassroots organizing. It is a blessing to realize that neighbors can still come together, discuss issues productively and join forces to advance common concerns.
BG STRONG also wants to thank all citizens who contacted public officials to voice opinions on the code. We believe it was this concerted effort that resulted in council’s response to the prevailing community viewpoint: that the older central residential neighborhoods should not be further relegated to housing modifications for business interests.
Our group plans to stay active. BG STRONG will advocate for improving walkability with new sidewalks, green paths and crosswalks and preserving and growing our urban forest. We’ll campaign to improve the appearance and quality of the residential neighborhoods by monitoring code enforcement, engaging with property owners and urging council to enact stronger exterior code and rental property regulations. We will call on the city administration to levy fines for code violations and use the monies collected to improve neighborhood infrastructure.
BG STRONG believes that development of the Mixed Use Neighborhood Zones should be a community-driven effort. We will press city officials to form a committee to participate in planning them.
This level of community involvement should be standard practice for any legislation anticipated to have a significant effect on a neighborhood.
We are also forming a non-profit community development corporation, Bowling Green Save Our Neighborhoods Group. Among the goals will be increasing the number of affordable single-family homes and assisting homeowners who are on a fixed income with housing repair.
We welcome input and help. To get involved, send an email to [email protected]. Visit our Facebook page, currently still at Save Our BG Neighborhoods, for updates.
Christen Giblin
Kathleen Dennis
Joe Solus
Anesa Miller
Winnie and Bob Rex
David and Rose Drain
Sue Midden
Tom Knox
Emily Dunipace
Sandy Wicks
Steve and Beth Ricard
Faith Olson-Elsea
Ross Mazzupappa
Christine Humble
Penny Evans-Myer
Joyce Kepke
Vassiliki Leontis
Elizabeth Burroughs
Yale Sussman
David J. Neuendorff
Andrea Van Vorhis
John Sampen
Marilyn Shrude
David Pfleger
Lori Young
Jan Knape
Les and Sue Barber
