After debate heats up last Monday, aldermen expected to vote on proposed south-side duplex

QUINCY — The construction of a two-story residential building at 1736 Adams, for which the debate got a little heated during last week’s Quincy City Council meeting, is expected to finally be voted on during Monday’s Quincy City Council meeting.

Aldermen were scheduled to vote Dec. 4 on three recommendations by the Plan Commission from its Nov. 13 meeting. The commission recommended approval of the construction of the duplex, to be built by Mike and Tyler Moss, but it recommended denial for the construction of an oversized garage (2,184 square feet) and a living unit within a garage at the same site. 

All three votes were tabled for two weeks, however.

Brian Inman, who lives across 18^th Street from the planned duplex in the 6^th Ward and also owns the property next to his home, spoke to aldermen during the public forum at the Dec. 4 meeting. He gave each alderman a map representing neighboring families who told him they were against the construction of the duplex. He said 19 households were against the duplex, two were in favor and one was indifferent.

“While the idea of introducing duplexes as infill housing into single-family zoning may seem like a step toward progress, I argue that maintaining the sanctity of single-family zoning in parts of Quincy is essential for preserving our community’s identity,” Inman said. 

“Allowing duplexes and single-family zoning jeopardizes the charm and character, potentially leading to a fragmented neighborhood. The house they want to tear down represents affordable housing here in Quincy. Every time we tear down an affordable home in favor of a duplex, we are taking away someone’s potential at the American dream.”

Aldermen approved at the Oct. 23 City Council meeting an ordinance granting a special use permit for a two-family residential unit at 1800 Jackson — one block away from 1736 Adams. Inman argued the building that would be torn down at 1736 Adams is not a “derelict” property that was torn down at 1800 Jackson.

He said he was told that because aldermen approved the building at 1800 Jackson that the building at 1736 Adams should be approved as well. Inman says allowing both “tears down” the single-family fabric and identity of the south-side neighborhood.

“In my mind, that is so wrong and counter to why we have zoning,” Inman said. “My alderman told me we have to have people come down here to City Hall and stand up and speak. And so we are here. We don’t want to raise a ruckus. We just want you guys to uphold the existing zoning that is in place. I don’t even want to be here. 

“Alderman (Richie) Reis says there’s lots of big enough that they can subdivide that and put up two single-family homes. I said yes, they could, but they can also subdivide that and put two duplexes on that property if we continue with this trend. They’ve effectively built an apartment complex in a single-family zone — bang, bang, bang all in a row.”

Inman asked for aldermen to “follow your own guidance.”

Teena Obert, who lives in the 1700 block of Adams, supported Inman’s views.

“We have lots of families, lots of children, and we have a lot of traffic as it is,” she told aldermen. “You add a duplex to the neighborhood, (and) it takes away from the families. You’re disrupting the delicate balance of our neighborhood, the property values, the zoning. It may not happen immediately, but it’s going to affect, maybe even decrease, our property values.”

Mike Moss told aldermen at the Dec. 11 meeting they have approved 18 duplexes in the last nine months in single-family areas. He said he’s heard people say up to 20 people will be living in his duplex, but he said no more than four people will live on each level of his duplex.

“I just don’t understand what all the pushback is,” Moss said.

Moss then showed aldermen photos of signs, a dumpster, and trash in the backyard of the property next to Inman’s home, with multiple vehicles parked out front. 

“They’re worried about what we’re going to do, and we haven’t even built yet,” he said. “My son has put a lot of money into this, buying the lot, spending about $80,000. So far there’s nothing even there, and he still has to tear down the house. It’s going to better the neighborhood. It’s going to be one of the nicest structures in the neighborhood. It’s going to provide additional living.

“We’re not going to put hundreds of thousands of dollars in something and have it torn up.”

After Mike Moss stepped away from the podium in City Council chambers, Inman and Tyler Moss exchanged words as they sat a few feet from each other in the back of the room. 

At one point, Inman said, “Are you threatening me? I think you’re threatening me.” 

Tyler Moss replied, “Shut the hell up. I’m not threatening you right now.” Moments later he said to Inman, “What are you staring at me for?”

Inman then addressed the City Council, saying some neighbors don’t want to speak in public about something for fear of retribution.

“That is exactly what is happening,” he said. “You come up, and you speak for the neighborhood and why they don’t want the duplex there. Then one of the petitioners is threatening me and calling me a racist. Anyone who knows me knows that that’s far from the truth. It’s not fun. It’s not fun to be in my position.”

Inman said neighbors are concerned that if eight adults live in the building, then eight additional cars will create a parking problem, making the area less safe for kids.

“Mr. Moss says, ‘You don’t want me as your neighbor. I promise you, you don’t want me as your neighbor. You want this duplex to be there. You don’t want me to be there. I will make your life miserable,’” Inman said.

“I didn’t threaten you,” Tyler Moss said from the back of the room.

After Quincy Mayor Mike Troup called for no more interruptions, Inman continued.

“As you can tell, it is upsetting,” he said. “It’s uncomfortable to speak up in public. Even though I speak in public every day, that’s not my forte. And that’s where I’m at.”