HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-9524 Email Correspondence Opposing Neighbor Peterson 082020Z-9524 Email Correspondence Opposing Neighbor Peterson 08/20/20
To: The City Planning & Development
From: Holly & Ben Peterson (Residents at 10 Cove Creek Pt.)
RE: Request to rezone Property at 13701 Kanis Road from R – 2 District to PRD
District for the development of a mixed-use of residential townhomes and single
family homes.
File # Z-9524.
First, we want to make it clear that we are not opposed to the development of
homes appropriate for an R-2 zoning district in this area.
However, we are strongly opposed to rezoning this property from a lower density
R-2 zoning district to a higher density PRD district.
This area around Kanis is now undergoing significant development, both
commercial and residential. Already there are problems related to increased
traffic on Kanis Road and increased runoff resulting from replacing woodlands,
which absorbed water preventing it from quickly running off, with areas now
filled with rooftops and concrete. These traffic and flooding problems will get
worse as development continues.
Ideally the city would create a comprehensive plan for this area along the Kanis
corridor to ensure that future development does not exacerbate these problems.
However, as far as we know, there is no such plan. Therefore it is imperative to
proceed with great caution in approving any development plan that would
increase the density of traffic and water runoff from newly developed areas along
Kanis Road.
In regard to this particular request, for the following reasons we strongly urge you
to vote against the change of zoning to allow increased development.
1. The increase in the number of cars entering and exiting the property onto an
already busy road in an area with two existing entrances to large housing
developments on one side of the road, and a street which is increasingly being
used as a through street on the other, all within a little more than a tenth of a
mile of each other will significantly increase the potential for accidents (See Map
below).
The traffic on Kanis Road in this area is already congested, and it is often
difficult to turn on to Kanis Road. We have often seen cars accelerating
quickly to merge into a short break in the traffic. In such situations, it is
easy to miss seeing that another car only a few hundred feet away is
attempting to do exactly the same maneuver.
We are also very aware that when a car is attempting to make a left turn off
of Kanis Road, more than several cars can be backed up behind the stopped
car.
2. The increased density of rooftops and paved areas on nearby properties
will significantly increase rainfall runoff to Panther Branch.
a. Already water from Panther Branch is often within only a few feet
of the lawns of existing homes on Cove Creek Point. Increased runoff
would exacerbate this potential for flooding in our lawns and homes.
b. The constant ponding of water in the area along Panther Branch
(See Map Below) has already killed trees and weakened the root
systems of living trees. These weakened and dead trees have already
caused damage to homes on Cove Creek Point. Trees have not only
been blown down and caused damage to homes during wind storms,
but they have also simply toppled over and hit homes even in calm
weather.
c. The increase in water behind the existing dam (See Map Below)
will increase the pressure on the dam. Should there be a dam failure,
there could be significant flooding along Panther Branch that could
impact numerous other developments all the way to Shackleford
Road.
Again, we urge you to oppose this request for the change of zone from R-2 to
PRD.
We thank you for your service on the Planning Commission.
Holly & Ben Peterson
10 Cove Creek Pt., Little Rock, AR 72211
holpeterson@gmail.com
817.988.6618