HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-1791 (6)
CityClerk
From:Carol Gregory <clgpa27@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, March 23, 2024 10:46 AM
To:Wiederkehr, Mike
Cc:CityClerk; .Jerry and Shirley Durning
Subject:Shirley Durning Letter re Request to Remove Residential Link Street from 2040 Plan
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Councilman Wiederkehr,
I am forwarding this letter from my neighbor Shirley and Jerry Durning because we were unable to send it
through her email system. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Carol Gregory
Hello, Mike and Lee Anne,
The last time we got together you were hosting a breakfast in appreciation of the Master Gardener
volunteers at Headquarters House. I miss those times, and I hope to return after hip replacement in
June.
In October of 2023 we received a certified letter about a neighbor's petition to the city of Fayetteville
planners. The neighbor, Mr. Wang, was unknown to us, as well as the reason for his petition, a
proposed RESIDENTIAL LINK STREET he had become aware of. It would run from Dead Horse
Mountain, through the big cattle and horse farm of David Hamm, cross Hunt Lane and through ponds
and a rescue pony lot of Carol Gregory and Richard Farkas. From there it crosses our creek, our
driveway to our FOREVER home of 46 years and through our two big AMKO storage buildings(2001
and 2007 construction) and through old growth native dogwood, redbud and oak trees, dividing our
17 acres.
From the Wang property and Steve Warden property it crosses Ed Edwards road and cuts through
the hidden property of retired biologists, Velva and Allan Kline, and ends at Mally Wagnon road,
taking land from Ron and Marti Woodruff. Although it affects other landowners we did not approach
them about joining our petition in order to keep our representation more manageable.
In 1994 we Hunt Lane neighbors appealed and got an Eastern Bypass road off the planners' map. In
April of 2006 I went to look over a draft of the 2030 long-range transportation plan at the Northwest
Arkansas Regional Planning office. That Eastern Bypass on the map received no funding
allocation. If there were other public meetings since then, well, they were not announced in the
newspaper. I am the senior watchdog for the interests of Hunt Lane.
My husband and I are Fayetteville natives. Jerry retired from Kearney(Cooper)Industries in 2004
after 35 years. I taught Spanish at Ramay Jr. High and Fayetteville High, retiring after 28 years. I
taught Adult Education Spanish for about 10 years. I currently serve as president of Washington
County Retired Teachers Association.
My connection to the land began at birth, almost 77 years ago. I am the only child of Clarence and
Pauline Eans. Mom, Dad and I cleared the pasture of rocks and invasive growth, and Jerry and I took
over in the 1970's. The creek runs north to south through the entire property; it is my joy to walk
along it. A roadway through it would change its course and erode the surrounding creek banks.
The street would meander through land that provides hay and grazing for the Hamm cattle and
horses and the rescue ponies and donkey of Carol and Richard. It would take the only arable land we
have because we built up on a rocky hillside for a view. Steve and Candi Warden are about 300 feet
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above us and have the best view around and a state-of-the-art home. Before he bought the property
former owners sold off the timber. Steve bulldozed a lot and built ponds. There is more runoff of
water than ever before.The Klines release monarch butterflies from their secluded land. Their son, a
former outstanding student of mine, will inherit their land.
WHY does a proposed residential link street only come to light 16 YEARS after it was put on a map in
2007? Most of the families involved are elderly and have had to hire attorneys to protect their
land. Only the newcomer, Mr. Wang, had any intention of selling his property. NOW he has sold, at
a loss, after 3 prior contracts fell through due to the link street.
I have not slept well since October of 2023. This fear has taken over my thoughts. A planning person
said that it will not happen soon, but can we rely on that?
Fayetteville needs a "GREEN BELT on the EDGE of the city that is maintained in an UNDEVELOPED
state".(Art Hobson, 2003 opinion piece stated in our local paper.) Art is a retired University of
Arkansas professor. We are concerned about pollution from auto emissions in our BOWL surrounded
by hillsides. Tim Conklin, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning
Commission, has said that the region would have to take OZONE mitigation into more account in
planning transportation improvements.
This "road to nowhere" does not benefit the people it affects most. We suggest improving the nearby
EXISTING Highway 16 east, Black Oak Road, Ed Edwards Road and Mally Wagnon Road.
Our attorney has assured us he will request a TOUR of the proposed affected area and we will
welcome you.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry and Shirley Durning
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