Stetson Hills Neighborhood Association

SHNA LETTER TO MAYOR RE: DEVELOPMENT AND TRAFFIC CONCERNS

Sep 12, 2000

FEEL FREE TO COPY/EDIT AS NECESSARY AND FORMAT INTO YOU OWN PERSONAL LETTER TO MAYOR/CITY REPRESENTATIVES.

From: Date:

To: Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace
P.O. Box 1575
Colorado Springs CO 80901
Subject: Golf Course Heights at Springs Ranch Filing #1, and Tutt Boulevard Rezoning and Development Proposal.
We, the residents of Stetson Hills, are extremely concerned with the proposed development plan near the intersection of Tutt and Stetson Hills Boulevards, as well as the Golf Course Heights at Springs Ranch development plans. Both of these plans would result in an unacceptable amount of commuter traffic through our residential areas.
Residents near Tutt Boulevard are concerned that a rezoning request, and subsequent commercial construction in this area, may result in a significant traffic increase. Commuters will be forced to travel through this residential area because Tutt is the only access to these proposed commercial facilities. This situation is unacceptable. We respectfully request that this rezoning request be denied, or that a thorough traffic study be conducted to determine how to better route traffic away from these residences.
Residents effected by the Golf Course Heights at Springs Ranch development proposal have attempted to convey their concerns during two required community meetings hosted by Don Magill the developer, and attended by Bonnie Olson of the City Planning Department. In addition we have sent letters to the City and the Developer outlining our concerns. Finally, members of our community have met with City Traffic Engineer Tim Roberts to discuss our traffic flow concerns. At this point, absolutely none of our concerns have been adequately addressed. These concerns are restated below.
The current traffic plan for this area is unacceptable: Peterson Road between North Carefree and Barnes is the primary arterial which would logically support traffic in this new development area. However, the developer is not responsible for part of Peterson Road which, consequently, will remain incomplete for the foreseeable future. This will prompt hundreds of new development commuters to use Stetson Hills residential areas (via Lasater Trail past Sandstone Park which is already saturated during youth sports programs.) as they travel to and from the north. During recent public meetings, the City has countered that North Carefree will still be an option for these northerly commuters. However, we remain skeptical because the shorter distance to their destination will be through our neighborhoods! Our counter to this unacceptable situation is to keep Lasater closed (chained off) at its current end point at the intersection of Ashley until Peterson Road is connected to Barnes.
Disruption and potential damage to residences: Excavation and construction are major points of concern as local homeowners have experienced a variety of problems with area construction companies. We have asked the developer to provide written assurance that they will be accountable and assume responsibility for controlling construction companies. The Developer should provide written reassurance contractors will be controlled.
Poorly designed/intermittent multi-use (foot/bike) trail: The City sponsored multi-use series of trails east of Powers is woefully inadequate. This is compounded by the City?’s decision to continue paving new portions of the Sky Sox stadium parking lots, yet reluctance to complete the sidewalk from the bridge on Barnes west to Tutt Boulevard in front of the stadium. The planned multi-use trail, within the boundaries of the Springs Ranch development area, are themselves intermittent and poorly designed. Springs Ranch internal trails should be redesigned to form a complete/connected circle of trails to parks, elementary school, and to ensure child/pedestrian safety. Also, the City should connect these trails with existing trails on the west side of Powers before area construction makes this impossible.
We believe there is an opportunity to address the City/neighborhood trail problem while alleviating some of the construction concerns and traffic flow problems outlined above. We propose the developer redesign the area so that the boundary adjacent to existing Stetson Hills properties be made into a multi-use trail/greenbelt. This can become the east/west path of the area trail network recommended above and, if extended through the proposed soccer park area and past the Sky Sox stadium and Powers, can connect trails in this area to those west of Powers. This proposal will also establish a construction barrier and prompt traffic to be directed away from our neighborhood areas to Peterson Road where it belongs.
We have attempted to work with Bonnie Olson from the Planning Department, and Don Magill the Developer, on these issues with no success. Unfortunately, the overall experience has left many residents to conclude the community planning meetings they attended were a waste of their time. They have also concluded that City approval is but a ?“rubber stamp?” process whereby the developer desires are readily accepted irrespective of expressed citizen concerns. Amendment 24, the responsible growth initiative slated for the November ballot, suggest citizens have lost faith in the State?’s/City?’s ability to regulate and control growth. We in Stetson Hills have experienced this first hand. However, it is not to late for the City to act on our recommendations and force Don Magill to do the same. These are not unreasonable requests. Acting on these concerns would go a long way toward restoring our faith in the City Planning Department. Rusty Lorenz, the Stetson Hills Neighborhood Association President, has agreed to act as Liaison with regard to this time sensitive matter and is willing to respond to your questions/comments. He can be contacted at 380-0508, or e-mailed at Llorenz451@aol.com.
Respectfully,


Stetson Hills Resident