Nimby Update

By: Mr. Wilson on March 10, 2009
I'm awfully surprised the City Council approved the controversial day care on 29th Street just south of SouthPointe Pavillions. The Council did apply a few restrictions, but I thought for sure they would apply crippling restrictions or bar the business altogether. Personally I think it's a fine place for a day care as long as the property itself and surrounding roads can effectively handle the bursts of traffic that are likely at the start and end of the day. The Council did add some silly restrictions on access to the playground -- no kids before 9am or after 5pm. I can see a morning restriction, but the 5pm restriction is unnecessary. I want to make one thing clear: although neighborhood opposition to this project is a form of nimbyism ("not in my backyard"), the opposition has merit. In general the worst a daycare brings to a neighborhood is some noisy kids playing outside. I don't have much sympathy for people who oppose laughter. Nor do I get too worried about the overall tiny increase in traffic flow that will leak just a few blocks into the neighborhood. Where I do empathize with the neighbors' plight in this situation is with regard to the timing of the traffic, which will likely come in bursts in the morning and evening. At worst, access to a major entrance to and exit from the neighborhood could be choked off at certain times of the day. That would be a major annoyance to be sure. The neighbors are right to fight to ensure that doesn't happen. In contrast, I still don't understand the complaints of neighbors of the new Alzheimer's care facility just west of 27th and Old Cheney. I noticed the other day the building is coming along quite nicely. Unlike the other sorts of things that could have gone in that location, I would be surprised if the facility negatively impacts area property values. Instead, a well-managed care facility can be a real asset to a neighborhood. We have a similar facility in our neighborhood, though ours has the advantage of a large amount of park-like green space. Any other (justified or unjustified) nimby updates from around Lincoln?

Comments

See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.

Fletch
March 10, 2009 at 12:51PM

If this daycare is going where I think it’s going, based on descriptions, I don’t think the road is really built for that kind of traffic jam. It seems to me that this will be a pretty large facility. I’m kind of surprised they passed it as well.

Eric S
March 14, 2009 at 3:13PM

Link isn’t working. This seems to happen alot, perhaps its just me.

Mr. Wilson
March 14, 2009 at 3:47PM

That would be the Journal Star’s wonderful content management system that enjoys breaking links. Try this one.

Eric S
March 14, 2009 at 4:25PM

Thanks. Someone needs to write a wonderful letter to the webmaster…

Share your thoughts with the community.

Commenting is no longer permitted on this post.