3853 Atlantic Ave.
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Woodruff Townhome Developer Anastasi Proposes Discussing Slightly Reduced Density...And Gets An Earful From Residents And ELB Councilwoman Kell. We Post Pix...And Sound Clips
The audience responded with a show of hands and applause in support of Carson Park Community Group director Angela Kimball...and heard 5th district LB Councilwoman Jackie Kell say that if City of Long Beach standards were applied to the project (which is part of an unincorporated County island), they would permit a maximum of 44 single family homes. She urged residents to contact County Supervisor Don Knabe, adding "I don't want density. I don't want congestion. I don't want parking problems, and you don't either," she said.
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(August 21, 2003) -- At an August 18 public meeting called by Anastasi Development Co., president Darryl Nyznyk said the firm's proposed townhome development at 3800 Woodruff Ave. has been adjusted to address some valid neighborhood concerns, predicted the project would increase property values and offered to discuss reducing density "a little bit" -- unveiling a plan for 81 housing units instead of 88 -- within the framework of a committee to be formed separate from the Carson Park Community Group.
Roughly 200 concerned audience members filled the sweltering, windowless American Legion Hall abutting Heartwell Park east of Woodruff Ave.
Anastasi Development president Nyznyk initially had to speak from atop a table until someone figured out how to switch on the room's speaker system.
Back on the ground, Mr. Nyznyk said several aspects of the project had been modified in response to neighborhood concerns. "We're addressing legitimate concerns: parking, traffic, height, privacy, all of those we've addressed." (Photo: Nyznyk says traffic from townhomes (left small bar) would be less than other uses (higher bars on chart). 
Anastasi staff displayed an artist rendering of the envisioned development.
Following some intervening speakers, Angela Kimball, director of the Carson Park Community Group challenged Mr. Nyznyk, prompting the following exchange:
Reacting to the suggestion of discussions via a committee of five to seven people to be formed separate from the Carson Park Community Group, an audience member asked for a show of hands "if you feel Angela [Kimball] speaks on behalf of you here tonight." We captured the result in motion in the photo, right. Overall, it appeared to us as if most or nearly all raised their hands, followed by loud applause.
By this time, 5th district LB Councilwoman Jackie Kell (in blue blazer) had arrived...and took a seat near the front of the room directly facing Mr. Nyznyk. Audience members pressed Mr. Nyznyk to let her speak...and he did.
Standing near ramrod straight and speaking in a calm but firm manner, Councilwoman Kell noted the project wasn't within LB City Hall's jurisdiction and she had no vote on it, but indicated she'd prompted LB's Planning & Bldg. Dept to submit a letter objecting to the 88 unit density at the County Planning Commission level and continued:
As the crowd exited Mr. Nyznyk remained to field questions one on one. We asked, "The 81 units in the reconfigured site plan: Is that what's on the table now, or you're going to go lower?..." prompting Mr. Nyznyk to interject, "We're going to be talking to everybody about it and see, you know, whoever the committee is, and see what they think of it and see where we go." Might he be willing to go lower on density? "We might, yes."