Clarification
Land owner Shane Amundson was not reached for comment in the story about his property that was in discussion in front of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission (“New building application denied in Ash Park historic District” that was published in the Dec. 15 Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun).
“By not reaching me for comment, it became a very one-sided story,” Amundson said. “It may have impacted my ability to sell this particular lot.”
Amundson takes issue with the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission’s statements they are pro allowing new homes while denying the plan he and a developer proposed for an affordable duplex because it didn’t meet design standards for the district, highlighting another house constructed in the same district in 2011 that doesn’t conform to those standards.
“It’s hypocrisy,” Amundson said. “The commission says they want to support low to moderate income housing and then deny a plan for a home of that nature. They want that housing, just not in their backyard.”
Amundson says the lack of affordable housing in this community has failed a younger population by pricing them out of the market.
Amundson will be on the Jan. 4 Mount Vernon City Council agenda to discuss his issues further with the council.