Gloom in Burbank

As a homeowner and proud resident of Burbank, I am compelled to write after reading Betsy Bates’ article, “City Proud of Progress Shrugs Off Gag” (April 1).

I, too, am enamored with Burbank’s small-town feeling, its efficient public services and its sense of community pride. These are the very same reasons why my family chose to make Burbank our home.

However, I would like to point out that Bates failed to mention that Burbank Councilman Tom Flavin, who was featured in her article, is the subject of a current citywide, resident-initiated recall petition (along with Councilman Michael Hastings). Councilmen Flavin and Hastings have politically endorsed a multitude of massive commercial development projects that can threaten the very same qualities for which we all hold so dearly.

If these projects are passed as proposed by the City Council, Burbank will no longer remind residents of . . . “little Midwestern towns.” The plans call for towering office buildings throughout the city, many abutting residential neighborhoods; many of our lovely shopping streets will be widened and oxygen-giving, shade-bearing trees (some as old as 40 years) will be removed; extensive commuter traffic will cut through our residential neighborhoods, and Burbank’s quality of life will vastly deteriorate.

KATE MORRIS

Burbank