HomeMy WebLinkAboutemail Hurst and Coleman about notice for packageMalone, Walter
From:
Hurst, Stacy
Sent:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 3:43 PM
To:
Joann Coleman
Cc:
Malone, Walter
Subject:
RE: land use proposal to be approved Thursday
Ms. Coleman:
The Planning Department notified all of the affected Neighborhood Associations and
property owners that fall within an area that is recommended for a land use change. They
did not send notice to adjoining properties. I believe that the only notification required
by state law is an ad in the newspaper, and that was done, as well.
This effort is being led by the Planning Department and they are essentially going through
the entire city, Ward by Ward, trying to correct outdated land use descriptions and
anticipate changes on the immediate horizon. These are not zoning changes. The item will
be on the Planning Commission's agenda for Thursday, where there will be an opportunity
for public input. It will then have to go before the Board of Directors, probably in
January or early February, for approval, where there will also be an opportunity for
public input.
Walter Malone is the member of the Planning staff that you might contact to discuss. I've
copied him on this email so that he can correct me if I've misstated anything, but also so
that he can see your concerns. Walter's phone number is 371-6819. I'm sure he would
welcome the opportunity to sit down with you and discuss.
Thanks -- Stacy
-----Original Message -----
From: Joann Coleman(mailto:coleman_joann@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Mon 12/12/2011 3:36 PM
To: Hurst, Stacy
Subject: land use proposal to be approved Thursday
Dear Ms. Hurst,
It has come to my attention that a large land use modification is being proposed
for Thursday's planning board. I object the proposal for a couple of
reasons... First, I don't think the residents for the areas effected have been
appropriately noticed of the changes... Many of the changes would effect more
than just the immediate properties... yet, even neighbors immediately adjacent to
parcels that would see changes were not noticed of the proposed changes ... The
Neighborhood Associations did not adequately discuss the changes and notice
their residents.... We can find no record of any emails or mention of the changes
on the Hillcrest Residents Association website or their listserv. Second, these
proposed changes would in fact have a large impact on traffic around at least
two schools....
I very much object to the parcel on Gill and Markham being changed to
High -Density Residential... this parcel is three blocks from the Arkansas Schools
for the Blind and Deaf and it is adjacent to the Cathedral Schools. The only
roads that would allow for traffic to and from the property are small almost
single lane roads in Capitol View and Gill which feeds under Cantrell through
the Warehouse (Cajun's parking lot) ... This proposal mean that traffic would
increase around both schools (since ASD/ASB is a state school and the Cathedral
school is private, I guess the City planning commmission is really interested in
the student or the impact of a high-density residential development) But, even
if you discount the impact on school children. They only adequate way into the
property would necessitate a stop light on Markham in the Curve by Boone and
Markham or N. Summit and Markham to adequately allow egress into the property
(which is hemmed in by the railroad tracks). I drove back there today just to
see if I was correct about the impact a "High -Density" residential project would
1
be, I believe that if you were to drive back there you would agree with
me .... Perhaps a few apartments or a couple of houses would work and not impact
traffic....But, there is no way a "high-density" project could. not negatively
impact the neighborhood.... Gill has a very old railroad crossing (which is
detoriating) and would not provide adequate egress unless a light were placed on
Cantrell at the entrance to the Cajun's parking lot and Coolwood....Capitol View
is not a neighborhood that should be considered for High -Density zoning ... It is
a historic neighborhood which should be restored not destoryed.
Again I object to the adoption of this plan at the current time has having not
had adequate citizen input and await your comments.
Sincerely,
Jo Ann Coleman, J.D.
2