Say ‘yes’ to impact fees, but structure them to increase affordable housing in Charlotte

Structure impact fees to aid buyers

Regarding “Charlotte considers impact fees that developers oppose,” (Aug. 2):

I read with interest Assistant City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba’s proposal to seek state permission to implement impact fees for new home construction in Charlotte.

Charlotte is sorely lacking in public green space and ranks low in social mobility. Fees supporting our schools, parks, and public transportation would provide more opportunities and improve livability.

The argument that buyers of lower priced homes would be more adversely affected could be remedied by lower fees for less costly homes and multifamily housing, thus encouraging building of more affordable homes. Existing homes would be attractive to more buyers, reducing the need for more city resources.

I hope citizens who care about our quality of life and access to housing will promote and encourage this proposal.

Susan T. Nash, Charlotte

Instituting impact fees will be a battle

Good luck fighting the N.C. real estate lobby and the legislature on impact fees. Union County expressed an interest in impact fees years ago and we were not even allowed to vote on it.

We were allowed to vote on a land transfer tax. The real estate lobby sent out mailers using the same line you hear today: “This will hurt first-time home buyers because they’ll have to pay the tax.” They covered all their bases by then sending mailers that basically said “Retired couples will be hurt because they’ll have to pay the tax when they sell their land.”

Nothing changed except my property tax rates have doubled and I now realize that almost every new house built in Union County increases my taxes to pay for infrastructure required only by this new construction.

Dave Ballenger, Monroe

2020 election: Let National Guard assist

It is of vital importance to our democracy that we not allow this November’s elections to be derailed by the coronavirus or jeopardized by a purposefully marginalized United States Postal Service.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections under Michael Dickerson’s capable leadership should ask for Gov. Roy Cooper’s assistance in activating and training our N.C. National Guard to assist in making sure our elections are safely and fairly executed, and that all ballots are counted.

In advance, we need a statewide public relations campaign guiding citizens on how to accurately cast an absentee ballot. Let’s be proactive for the integrity of our election process.

Hardin Minor, Charlotte

Drug price reform tops my 2020 list

I live with MS and take prescription medication to treat my condition. The drug therapy I depend upon is very expensive, even with good health insurance.

As the cost of MS drug therapies has increased, so have my out of pocket expenses. I just discontinued a medication due to its cost of $1,000 per month. I am fortunate to have been able to manage the increased expense for my remaining therapy, but it raises concerns for my financial future.

I know this is not only a growing concern for me, but for tens of thousands of voters in North Carolina. There are a lot of important issues to consider in the upcoming elections, but for me the issue of prescription drug price reform is at the top of the list.

Carol Hunley, Charlotte

Zane distracts from the real issues

Regarding J. Peder Zane “Remote learning adds to inequality,” (Aug. 4 Opinion):

Our country is in its worst health crisis since 1918. It would be helpful to address the real issues causing inequality. We have a government that refuses to provide any leadership to this national security crisis, lies daily concerning the impacts, and fails to address the health and safety issues of going back to work or school.

Remote learning is not the root cause of our problems today, it’s only a distraction from the real problems we face.

Daryl Solomonson, Troutman

Restaurants, listen to your customers

I hope restaurants noticed Dani Bustos’ July 30 Forum letter about banning polystyrene take-out containers. Even before the coronavirus outbreak, I’ve tried to get restaurants to stop putting plastic knives and forks in my carry-out order. My request is ignored, even by those who ask me if I want utensils. Restaurants, please ask customers whether they want utensils. Leave them out if they don’t. Train all employees to pay attention to requests to skip polystyrene containers and plastic utensils.

Jennifer Jewett, Lancaster

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 3:32 PM.