Micro-Units & Agenda 21
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, May 30, 2014 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. Two weeks ago I mentioned the SCADPad display in downtown Atlanta. SCADPads are illustrations of micro-units already available for lease in the United States. The 135 square-feet SCADPads are displayed in Atlanta on the top floor of the parking deck behind the Savannah College of Art and Design, at 1600 Peachtree Street, because SCADPads fit into a parking space. The tour is free. So, go and get a glimpse of what “high density” living means.
Micro-units are included in the plan adopted by five votes of the Arlington County Board of Commissioners in Virginia that set up a 40-year project to transform Crystal City into a high-density, pedestrian-friendly urban area with a streetcar line and major street grid changes. The local civic association hoped to talk more about traffic and high-rise buildings that will be jammed up against single-family neighborhoods, but the board wouldn’t delay the vote.
At that meeting the largest private land holder in the area made this announcement, “This plan is the epitome of smart growth.” He’s right, and this is serious. Smart growth is another term for sustainable development, which is the goal of Agenda 21, which is the United Nations plan for global control of where we live, what we have, what we do and where we go.
Mikhail Gorbechev said an environmental crisis will be the international key to unlock the New World Order. That term was introduced in this country by former President George Herbert Walker Bush about the time he accepted Agenda 21 as “soft law” in the United States. Then, by executive order Bill Clinton created the President’s Council on Sustainable Development to implement Agenda 21. Neither president went to Congress for a vote.
The tiny homes mentioned above are a long-time reality for a New York City resident who pays $800 per month for her 105 square-feet apartment. Meaning, she’s lived for eight years in 30 square-feet less than you’ll see in the SCADPad display. Most micro-units are bigger – 280 to 350 square-feet – but have no space for free-standing furniture. They have built-in furniture and storage, a complete bathroom, efficiency kitchen and, maybe, a suspended sleeping loft, if the ceiling is high enough.
In Harlem, single room occupancy (SRO) units of 175-225 square feet have a sofa/bed, shelves, a desk and cabinets, a flat-screen TV, kitchen, and utilities. They rent for $1400 to $1600 per month, but you might have to share a common bathroom.
Micro-unit living is only one part of Agenda 21 that’s being implemented through city councils, county commissions, zoning boards and waivers. But don’t forget this: In 2011 the General Assembly passed H.B. 225, the Agenda 21 plan for “stewardship” (control) of everything in rural Georgia, including the population. If you attend local government meetings, you might be able to influence the plans for your community. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.