Thanks to everyone

Thanks to everyone who wrote letters and attended meetings and spoke up. This particular project is "off the table" now, but we all need to be aware of what is going on in that particular piece of the forest - to make sure we don't ever have to face anything like this again.

Please stay vigilant, attend meetings, ask questions ...

Added information for letters

Please re-read this post~~> Please write those letters!

One thing to remember when you're writing these letters: DO NOT include any references to property values. Letters that include property values as a reason will be tossed. There are plenty of other reasons to include: traffic congestion; no mass transit; no nearby stores or doctors' offices, etc.; volunteer fire department, which is already stretched very thin; and others.

Remember: We need to have LOTS of letters in the Multifamily Finance Production Division of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs because the letters are filed and kept in reference to the property, not the developer or the particular application.

If you have already written, but mentioned property values, please write another letter. If you have written and mailed a letter that didn't mention property values, you don't need to write again.

Thanks to everyone for all that's been done so far. Now let's attend those meetings and stay vigilant!

For Auburn Lakes residents

Jennifer received the following email from an Auburn Lakes resident. Please post your thoughts in the comments section of this post.

--------------------------------------------------------

I live in Auburn Lakes, and the Auburn Lakes HOA did not get involved in the Auburn Lakes Manor issue. The reason is clear. Auburn Lakes HOA is majority controlled by Peramco Inc., which is selling the property for the project. Even a politician should be able to see that this is a conflict of interest.

I talked to Allyson, at Chaparral Management, and she said the next Auburn Lakes HOA meeting isn't until April. However, if she receives enough emails requesting an "emergency meeting," the Board might comply.

I think we need to continue to spread the word about this project and continue to put pressure on Peramco through the Auburn Lakes HOA and its members.

Allyson's email address at Chaparral is apena@chaparralmanagement.com. We should include information in the blog on contacting her and for the residents of Auburn Lake to request a emergency meeting of the HOA.

Robert Christler

Northampton MUD Board elections

The Northampton MUD Board is elected in May of each even numbered year, but in staggered terms.

The Secretary, Treasurer, and 1st Vice President are coming up for re-election in May of 2012. The others were just re-elected in May, 2010.

Proceed with Caution

This morning, several of us received this email from Senator Patrick's office:

----------------------

Thank you again for contacting Senator Patrick's office about the Auburn Lake Manor project (Application # 1040). You will be happy to hear that the developer for this proposed complex has decided to pull his application from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA); therefore, this development will not be created in your area. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.

Amy L. Peck, M.Ed

Director of Constituent Services

Office of Senator Dan Patrick

-----------------------

After 5:00 this afternoon, we received verbal confirmation from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs that the developer has withdrawn his application for housing tax credits. So why aren't we celebrating? We learn from the experiences of others! We know developers try to use tactics to lessen the opposition, and then when no one is looking they try something new to get their project started again. March 1 is the deadline for the full application to be filed to receive housing tax credits.

WE CAN NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO OUR BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOOD!

We must keep a watchful eye on the movements of the developer and the land owner, Peramco. There are reports from neighbors that the vacant land for the proposed development continues to be cleared. Trees are coming down, and work is being done on the property. I'd like to know for what!

We have also learned that the Northampton MUD board has pulled this item from their agenda for the February 21 meeting (see last night's post). But several of us believe we need to pack that meeting anyway, that we need to proceed with gathering petitions ... whatever we need to do to make the people on that board understand that anything like this will meet with tremendous opposition.

Please post your comments. It helps us to hear what our neighbors are thinking.

Please write those letters!

Jennifer Wilson contacted State Sen. Dan Patrick's office and was told that they've received only 19 letters expressing an opinion on the Auburn Lake Manor project.

Please email Dan Patrick, Debbie Riddle, and, most importantly, the state agency charged with approving funding:

Robbye Meyer, Director
Multifamily Finance Production Division
P.O. Box 13941
Austin, Texas 78711-3491
(512) 475-2213
(512) 475-0764 Fax
Robbye.Meyer@TDHCA.state.tx.us

The letter should list specific reasons as to why the project would be a negative for our community.

Thank you! We can do this!

Agenda for February 21st MUD Board meeting

Here is a link to the agenda for the Northampton MUD Board meeting on Monday, February 21, 2011:

• Agenda

If you are not receiving emails from Jennifer Wilson, please let her know. Send your email address to j22600@sbcglobal.net and let her know you want to be put on the StopAuburnLakeManor email list.

Letters everyone should see

Here are links to two letters that everyone in Northampton and Auburn Lakes should see.

1. Developer Mark Koogler's letter to Wade Jones and the Northampton Maintenance Fund, dated December 30, 2010.

2. Developer Mark Koogler's Pre-Application to Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, dated January 5, 2011.

Notice that the developer has a name: Auburn Northampton, LP.

Please make sure you have written or emailed or faxed or called all the appropriate people who can help us quash this low-income apartment complex:

• How to take action

and

• Another contact for protests

We need to be like Winston Churchill, who said, "Never, never, never, never give up!"

MUD Meeting tonight

Please keep writing letters, emails, faxes, and making phone calls. Rep Riddle and Sen Patrick need to get these by the boatload!

http://stopauburnlakemanor.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-take-action.html

In addition, this topic was not on the MUD board's agenda tonight, so discussion was allowed only in the Open Comments part of their meeting. At the next meeting, however, this will be an action item on the MUD board's agenda, so make sure you are there!

• Monday, February 21
• 7:00 pm (but get there by 6:45 to get a seat!)
• New Northampton clubhouse across the parking lot from the MUD building where tonight's meeting was held

And finally, the Northampton Maintenance Board also needs direct input from homeowners so they, too, can act:

• Thursday, February 24
• 7:00 pm
• Northampton MUD building

So ... keep on writing and phoning, etc., and plan to attend the meetings on Feb 21st and 24th.

And let's not forget tonight!

Remember to attend the Northampton MUD board meeting on Monday, February 7, at 7 pm.

The meeting is in the Northampton MUD building near the swimming pool and the new recreation building right in back of the Constable's office and the tennis courts on Northcrest Dr.

We need to make sure the Northampton MUD board knows that there are plenty of people who are not happy with the Mark-Dana project.

Information about Mark-Dana Corp.

Information about what Mark-Dana has done:

http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/multifamily/htc/docs/11-PreAppResultsRegLog.pdf

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Explanation of Pre-Application Submission Logs [for 2100]

• See page 16 (File #11040) for Mark Koogler's pre-app for Auburn Lake Manor
• See page 15 (File #11037) and page 18 (Files # 11038 and 11039) for other pre-apps this company has made.

Our opinion: Let him concentrate his efforts where there is mass transit, as well as nearby commercial, medical, and other necessities for senior citizens. Let him concentrate his efforts where streets and roads are already built to handle the added traffic. Let him concentrate his efforts where his projects won't negatively affect the residential values in the immediate area.

http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/multifamily/htc/docs/09-HurricaneIkeCountiesAppLog.pdf

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Explanation of Application Submission Logs [for 2009]

• "This log contains all applications submitted in counties located in the Hurricane Ike affected counties (in accordance with IRS Notice 2008-109). The current total estimated available for Ike credit is $29,812,320. Applications will be identified by highest score regardless of region or subregion. All Ike credit will be utilized first before any allocation of regional credit ceiling. Any remaining applications will be placed back in the respective sub-region to compete in the standard competitive process."
• See page 1 (File #09102) for Mark-Dana's proposal for low-income senior housing in Magnolia, using Hurricane Ike credits. This is designated as a rural area. (The logic for this escapes me!)
• See page 2 (File #09103) for their proposal for the same in Katy. Also, be sure to read this: http://brookhollowcourt.com/?q=node/34

http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/pdf/transcripts/090730-board.pdf

Minutes of the TDHCA Board meeting in July, 2009. (Use Ctrl F and type in koo to find the places where Mark Koogler is speaking.) In one place, if I'm reading this right, he's trying to explain why he applied for more money that the cap allowed. Hmmm!

http://www.tribunenews.com/news/1598-magnolia-housing-market-seeing-mixed-results.html

Article regarding housing market in Magnolia.

More places to read about this company and its tactics:

http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/pdf/transcripts/090312-board.pdf

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110107/NEWS01/110107025/-1/ESN/ACCOMACK--Neighbors-are-against-Smith-School-housing-plan

http://www.ci.la-marque.tx.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=677%3Aregular-meeting-06-23-08&catid=49%3Acity-managers-comments&Itemid=747

http://www.a-npdc.org/news0504.pdf

Let's pack the meeting!

Don't forget to attend the Northampton MUD board meeting on Monday, February 7, at 7 pm.

The meeting is in the Northampton MUD building near the swimming pool and the new recreation building right in back of the Constable's office and the tennis courts on Northcrest Dr.

We need to make sure the Northampton MUD board knows that there are plenty of people who are not happy with the Mark-Dana project.

A response from Rep. Riddle's office

One of our neighbors in Northampton Estates has received a very informative response from Representative Debbie Riddle's office. Please read it carefully and note the "point system" used with applications for this type of housing.

Then - after you have read the specifics in the response I'm including below - please keep writing, and please make sure you add letters/emails to Robbye Meyer to your list.

Please write... and call... and fax... and email. The more of us who do, the more likely we are to get this project axed!

-----------------------------

From: Gail Gallien
Date: January 30, 2011 6:04:44 PM CST
Subject: RE: Low income housing near Northampton

Dear [Sir],

Thank you for contacting Rep. Riddle with your concerns regarding the proposed Senior Affordable Housing Project #11040 for Auburn Lake Manor.

Rep. Riddle will certainly represent her constituents in their efforts to block this type of development from coming into the community.

Our office has been in contact with the Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs and have written a formal protest letter of opposition. This will give the developer a -14 on his application

I would encourage you to let Senator Patrick's office know of your opposition and ask for his support as well.
It only takes one letter from the representative or senator within the targeted district, to give the developer the "14 points" of support needed in that category to comply with the application.

If one elected official opposes, as Rep. Riddle has, and one supports the points will 0 out.

You may also want to express your opposition by writing to:
Robbye Meyer, Director
Multifamily Finance Production Division
P.O. Box 13941
Austin, Texas 78711-3491
(512) 475-2213
(512) 475-0764 Fax
Robbye.Meyer@TDHCA.state.tx.us

Your letter should list specific reasons as to why the project would be a negative for the community.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact Rep. Riddle regarding this issue. If you have any questions or additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office again.

It is an honor for Rep. Riddle to serve you.

Gail Gallien
District Director

Another contact for protests

In addition to our legislators, please also call and send emails to the following to protest the building of this housing project. From Senator Patrick's staff:

While Senator Patrick encourages members of your community to continue contacting him regarding your concerns about this development, he also encourages you to contact TDHCA since this is the agency that will ultimately have the final say in approving or denying this development. It is imperative that TDHCA hears your concerns. If this application is submitted by March 1, 2011, please contact this agency:

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Ms. Robbye Meyer
P.O. Box 13941
Austin, TX 78711-3941
(512) 475-2213
(512) 475-0764 Fax
Robbye.Meyer@TDHCA.state.tx.us

A response from Senator Patrick

One of our neighbors in Auburn Lakes wrote excellent emails to our state senator and state and US representatives. Below is the response he received from TX Senator Dan Patrick's office. Please make use of the information included, in addition to continuing to write to our representatives in the TX legislature and the US House.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Amy Peck
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 1:41:32 PM (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
To: Jim Brown
Subject: RE: INETMAIL: Auburn Lake Manor

Mr. Brown,
Thank you for contacting Senator Patrick's office about the proposed Auburn Lake Manor project (Application # 1040). The date for applicants to submit full applications to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is March 1, 2011. Should this application be submitted, Senator Patrick will continue looking into this project.

While Senator Patrick encourages members of your community to continue contacting him regarding your concerns about this development, he also encourages you to contact TDHCA since this is the agency that will ultimately have the final say in approving or denying this development. It is imperative that TDHCA hears your concerns. If this application is submitted by March 1, 2011, please contact this agency:

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Ms. Robbye Meyer
P.O. Box 13941
Austin, TX 78711-3941
(512) 475-2213
(512) 475-0764 Fax
Robbye.Meyer@TDHCA.state.tx.us

Senator Patrick and his staff will continue monitoring the status of this development. If you have more information you would like to pass on to Senator Patrick, please contact him through his website at www.Patrick.Senate.State.Tx.us, or you may contact me directly at
Amy.Peck@Senate.State.Tx.Us.

Amy L. Peck, M.Ed
Director of Constituent Services
Office of Senator Dan Patrick
Office: (713) 464-0282
Fax: (713) 461-0108

How to take action...

Please help save our neighborhoods! Here’s how:

Contact your elected representatives in Austin, TX, and Washington, DC, and tell them about your opposition to the Auburn Lake Manor low-income housing project, which would consist of 180 units. Please send letters and/or emails and/or make phone calls frequently. Our representatives need to hear from MANY of us and OFTEN!

State Representative Debbie Riddle:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=150
Click on Email just to the right of her photo; fill out the form and add your message; click on Send Message.

State Senator Dan Patrick:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist7/dist7.htm
Click on the Email tab; fill out the form and add your message; click on Submit.

US Representative Michael McCaul
http://mccaul.house.gov/
Hold your cursor over CONTACT US and click on Contact Form; fill out the form and add your message; click on Submit.

Again, please send letters and/or emails and/or make phone calls frequently. Our representatives need to hear from MANY of us and OFTEN!

The best messages state the reason for writing in the first sentence and then give three or four points to explain why you believe you are right. It’s best not to get emotional or angry. Just the facts! Here are some ideas to include in your message if you wish.

-------------------------------
A developer is planning to build a low-income, multi-family, 180-unit senior housing project called Auburn Lake Manor on West Rayford near the entrance to Auburn Lakes at Gosling in Spring, Texas. Mark-Dana Corporation is the developer (based in Spring, but incorporated in Virginia!), and it appears this is the company’s specialty: "affordable" (read: low-income) multi-unit complexes, often built in areas that are questionably appropriate. We have some concerns:

1. First and foremost, Northampton and Auburn Lakes communities are comprised of mid-to-high-end neighborhoods. We've worked hard to maintain our safe, quiet, family-friendly communities, and we don't think a low-income project is a good fit.

2. The value of our houses, especially those in closest proximity to the project, would decrease.

3. The traffic and congestion would be terrible. Gosling Rd, which runs north-south between FM2920 and The Woodlands, is a narrow, two-lane road – with one traffic signal at Spring-Steubner, 3.5 miles away, and no other traffic controls until well north into Montgomery County several miles. Consider how the residents and employees of a 180-unit development would impact this country-lane environment.

4. There is no mass transit nor any doctors’ offices, stores, or restaurants around here.

5. On any weekend, you can see many kids riding bikes, playing, fishing, etc., around the area where the proposed facility would be built. In fact, the Auburn Lakes Recreation Center is just down West Rayford Dr. Adding a low-income element into our midst does not promote peace of mind.

6. Klein ISD will be building an elementary school near Gosling Rd and West Rayford Dr in the future. Is it really a good idea to have a low-income project near an elementary school?

7. When Mark-Dana has proposed other projects like this, residents have expressed the same concerns. Protests are not unusual.

Sincerely,

[your name or initials]

Developer tells MUD that residents are in favor of project

We have heard that the developer has told MUD officials that residents living around the proposed project are in favor of it.

Mmmm hmmm. I'm skeptical.

Please consider attending upcoming MUD meetings to express your opinion. Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7pm, at the front of Northampton. You may also want to email our State Rep. Debbie Riddle, our State Sen. Dan Patrick, and our County Commissioner Jerry Eversole.

UPDATE: Mark-Dana is seeking state funding, so we have been encouraged to contact our state reps.

Auburn Lake Manor Senior Housing

A company called Mark-Dana Corporation (located in Spring, incorporated in Virginia?) wants to build an "affordable" multi-family senior housing project at the front of the Auburn Lakes subdivision, right off Gosling and West Rayford. Their plans include 180 units! Yes, that's right -- 180 units!

NO!

Northampton/Auburn Lakes is a very quiet, safe, residential community. We don't need a multi-unit housing project built in our neighborhood for lower-income anyone. We don't have mass transit, stores, or doctor's offices here.

The income range for seniors who live there would be from $15,000-$35,000. Our community consists of middle to high-end homes; a low-income multi-unit facility has no place here.

Mark-Dana needs to find another location.