Planning commission members urge community involvement; one member opposes low-income housing at former high school site

Two planning commission members addressed council and residents at the May 13 meeting, stressing both recruitment of new commission members and concern about the character of future development.

Morris Hodge, introduced as a lifelong Lincoln Heights resident and planning commission member, said he wants the site of the former high school to host a development that is “something grand” and stated it “shouldn’t be no low income” and added, according to the transcript, he did not want it “filled up with immigrants.” Those remarks were recorded without a formal rebuttal in the meeting record.

Charles Shockley, who also introduced himself, said he shared Hodge’s concerns about development that could overtake the community and emphasized, “please don't develop the community without the community,” urging that residents be included in planning decisions and that young people have opportunities to see themselves reflected in new development.

Council and staff said they will continue conversations with the planning commission and community members about vacancies on boards and commissions and the process for appointments. The mayor asked staff to do the homework to ensure any honorary names or planning actions are done correctly and in order.

Next steps: planning commission members will meet with staff and council to discuss vacancies and future proposals, and council indicated it will deliberate on policy and process for board appointments and community engagement.