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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19-96 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 1 9-96 A RESOLUTION REITERATING A POLICY OF NOT EXTENDING STREETS OR ROADS OVER MT. SEQUOYAH; NOT REQUIRING OR ENCOURAGING LANDOWNERS AND DEVELOPERS TO BUILD SUCH STREETS OR ROADS; REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR ANY SUCH STREETS OR ROADS; AND ALLOWING TRAIL ACCESS IN UNDEVELOPED LAND OWNED BY THE METHODIST ASSEMBLY CENTER. WHEREAS, after numerous public hearings in 1994 with extensive citizen participation, the Planning Commission established a policy not to connect streets over Mt. Sequoyah (sometimes referred to as East Mountain), but rather endorsed a loop concept in which traffic would be directed along established highways and major thoroughfares shown on the Master Street Plan rather than on local streets through established neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, the City Council Street Committee after hearings endorsed and supported the Planning Commission's recommendations concerning these policies as shown on the Master Street Plan; and WHEREAS, the Fayetteville City Council formally adopted and passed the Master Street Plan in 1995 and has continued to expend substantial City revenues on Highway 265, Cliffs Boulevard, Happy Hollow and Joyce Street (in furtherance of the loop concept); and WHEREAS, it would not be in the best interests of the City to connect College Avenue or Mission Boulevard over Mt. Sequoyah on its narrow, wmdmg and congested streets to Manor Drive, Highway 265, Cliff Boulevard or Happy Hollow Road, nor to connect Highways 45 and 16 East over Mt. Sequoyah. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1. That the City reiterates its policy that streets or roads should not be extended over Mt. Sequoyah which would connect College Avenue to Manor Drive, Highway 265, Happy Hollow or Cliffs Boulevard, or which would connect Highway 45 to Highway 16. Section 2. That landowners and developers of land on Mt. Sequoyah shall not be required nor encouraged to build streets which would act as part of a connection over Mt. Sequoyah from College Avenue to Highway 265, nor as part of a connection between Highway 16 and 45. • Page 2 Resolution No. 19-96 Section 3. That prior to approval by the Planning Commission or City staff of a street that would act as a connection over Mt. Sequoyah, a resolution to approve such request must be presented and approved by the City Council after opportunity for public comment. Section 4. That roads accessing or through undeveloped land owned by the Methodist Assembly Center on the east side of Mt. Sequoyah should not be required nor encouraged, but access by trails should be provided if agreed to by the Methodist Assembly. PASSED AND APPROVED this 20th day of February , 1996. Traci Paul, City Clerk APPROVED: By: F Hanna, M�� ayor Sur3M Irri:2 ICY ANTHONY ttrALM MT. SEQUOYAH/EAST MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING - CC - MAY0f2. -FILE OrJE W/ HANbCur5 7:00 P.M. -0�� W/ E3 ff Don Market, Moderator - Welcome to the meeting 1-°N-1 Introduction of the Panel: Mayor and Members of the City Council Mayor Fred Hanna Woody Bassett Heather Daniel Jimmy Hill Stephen Miller Steve Parker• Len Schaper . Kit Williams Cyrus Young February 15, 1996 AGENDA • Introduction of invited guests, members of the Planning Commissionc�=° Phyllis Johnson, Chair and Jerry Allred, Jana Britton, John Forney, John Harbison, Gary Head, Charles Nickle, Conrad Odom, Robert Reynolds Alett Little, Staff Introduction of Paul Bynum PaulBynum-.Purpose of the meeting Don Market - Statement of procedures for the meeting Questions prepared in advance and given to the Panel: 1. As our elected leaders, what do you as City Council need from the citizens of resolve the recurring conflict between planning process? Mayor and Members of the Fayetteville in order to neighborhoods and the 2. What specific actions can the City Council take to diffuse the past and again current concerns about roads over East Moun- tain/ Mt. Sequoyah? Panel - Responses Don Market - Opens the floor for comments, questions from the audience, both to the Council and the Planning Commission Don'Market,- Invitation. to Mayor to respond Mayor Fred Hanna - Closing comments 9:00 P.M. Paul Bynum - Closing remarks and conclusion of the meeting SOME'OF THE COMMENTS'FROM THE MANY RESPONSES TO:,THE'rNEIGHBORHOOD ALERT LETTER" WHICH ASKED WHAT NEIGHBORS VALUE MOST ABOUT THE MT. SEQUOYAH/EAST MTN. AREA AND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE WITH REGARD TO "ROADS OVER .'ITE MTN." ...We've been through this before! Do not change our quiet, pristine neighborhood for the sake of real estate developers! A master street plan was developed and adopted two years ago. There'll be a huge credi- bility problem if the city goes back on its word to avoid routing through traffic on our st ep hill. ...I can see•''no:reason, .other than cutting 5 minutes of someone's dri- ✓ ing time, to cut a swath for traffic through what is left of this pris- t ine mountain. It would simply be destroying one neighborhood for the benefit of others, who should feel the same way about their own. It would turn this area into an inner city, with speed, traffic, smells, and dangers which all congestion entails. ...We have had 2 accidents (car) on our "peak" on Rockwood, near Kenil- worth. Cars go too fast --we don't need more cars and more speed. ...One must personally drive the present street between Rockwood Trail and Anson to understand the grade and topography of this area --and to understand how impractable it is to build new streets to connect down- town with Crossover Road (Hwy 265)... ..."The Mountain" is a steep one -- one that is difficult as far as streets are concerned --we must accept that fact and abide by that. ...I'm against adding through streets over Mt. Sequoyah. As you well know, it's already difficult to turn left onto Hwy 45 from Eastwood, Rockw000d, or other connecting streets(especially for those of us trying to get to work by 8:00 a.m.). ...we should be trying to figure out a way to di- rect traffic away from the area. Why not make Hwy 265 a 4 -lane, improve Hwy 16, and encourage drivers to go around Mt. Sequoyah to get to the U of A and/or downtown Fayetteville? ...I lived on Ridgeway for 9 years before I bought my house on Rockwood.; My house is my only investment (I teach teach, single parent)....I never d reamed there was the possibility of using Rockwood for a connecting street over the hill. ...Also --there is already a traffic problem to turn left on Mission off of Rockwood. Has the city checked/counted that yet ...An east -west through street would destroy the value and desirability o f the neighborhood. I would be very much against it. The present streets could not accommodate heavier traffic. ...This has been our home since 1956 (40 years) and each day has been enjoyable...with'the view, quiet neighborhood...beautiful houses...and clean streets thanks to the walkers' daily pick-up!!! ...We live in Fayetteville because we have found peace on top of this mountain. We love thil area and are very afraid that roads going through here will totally change the area. It is a place where people in our town come(b bike, jog, walk, etc) to find peace and serenity. I often see people from my deck walking their dogs and singing to their hearts content. ...I do not understand the need for 'connectiveness.' ...Add to the list of values: The close community spirit...a hazardous traffic problem will tend to diminish the community spirit ...It was a good decision in 1986 to keep the main arterial streets (45 & 16 East), widen them when necessary and not cross the mountain. It will be mother good decision in 1996! • MORE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM NEIGHBORS IN THE EAST MTN./ MT. SEQUOYAH AREA • road "over the Mountain" would - be very expensive to build and maintain - seems to be wanted only by those in the "high roller building/ developer category who would then gain financially, probably by developing even more apt., etc. ...I feel not having a through street is a great crime deterrent.... . •..My concern is that we will damage the environment physically and socially with more thru streets and wider streets on the mountain. Right nowit is self-monitoring. I often go up to escape the noise and traffic of Hwy 45. ...Perhaps it's time for the planning commission to consider the alter- native of saying, "NO" to a development proposal instead of assuming" that "land will" developed and that it is their job to "find a way to develop it". The "planning" commission appears to many residents to be a "developers"' commission. There are many examples of towns in the U.: that have vastly improved the "quality" of living by preserving green - space --I recommend the commission visit Boulder, Colorado as an example of a town that is not run by developers. ...There is obviously a need for improved traffic flow, and all of us should be more understanding of those with different or conflicting interests. However, in adopting the 2020 plan, doesn't our City govern- ment approve the notion of protecting long-established neighborhoods -- such as Mt. Sequoyah area? Perhaps we need to think more long-range; that is, while we are dealing with the traffic circulation problem, perhaps we shouls not be so quick to approve new developments on the east side of town until there is a resolution of this perennial problem. I have a Masters Degree in City Planning from GA Tech and was active in that profession for many years. For many years, I was director ofa multi - county planning and development organization with a multi -discipline staff (incl economic development, as well as physical develpment profes- sionals). During all that time, I had ample opportunity to observe and interact with subdividers and developers. Although I'm sure there must be those in the land development profession who are genuinely concerned about the community and the people who will be affected by thier actions, my experience was, that those who take such a broad-minded view are in the minority. Their desire is to attract buyers, spend as little as possible, and make the maximum return-- not unlike most other businesses. The point is this, however: The quality of city and neighborhood environment must be protected by the citizens themselves, as they are the ones who will lose in the event of bad street and traffic patterns, "look-alike" housing, and the lack of open space. In my judgement, the environment of those residents along Rockwood Trail, and to some degree,,all residents in the neighborhood, would be very much adversely affected by an extension of Rockwood to Crossover Road, which would allow it subsequently to be become a collector street. Emphasis should be put, instead, on upgrading the traffic capacity of Mission Blvd, which even now is carrying heavy loads at peak hours. Making Rockwood a "collector" would serve no purpose other than as a "shortcut" for those people residing in the subdivisions along Crossover Rd. It would not serve to connect any major traffic generators, as there are none to connect. In my view, the price to be paid in creating such a "shortcut" is far too high and would have to be bourne by those people residing on Rockwood and the surrounding neighborhood. The people who bought homes in the rapidly developing areas along Crossover knew when they bought that access to downtown would be by Mission Blvd and Hwy 16 E. They have no right, whatsoever, then, to expect Mt Sequoyah folks to sacrifice their quality of life for their bencfi.t. • • MT. SEQUOYAH/EAST MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING February 15, 1996 AGENDA 7:00 P.M. Don Market, Moderator - Welcome to the meeting Introduction of the Panel: Mayor and Members of the City Council Mayor Fred Hanna Woody Bassett Heather Daniel Jimmy Hill Stephen Miller Steve Parker. Len Schaper Kit Williams Cyrus Young Introduction of invited guests, members of the Planning Commission:• Phyllis Johnson, Chair and Jerry Allred, Jana Britton, John Forney, John Harbison, Gary Head, Charles Nickle, Conrad Odom, Robert Reynolds Alett Little, Staff Introduction of Paul Bynum Paul Bynum - Purpose of the meeting Don Market - Statement of procedures for the meeting Questions prepared in advance and given to the Panel: 1. As our elected leaders, what do you as Mayor and Members of the City Council need from the citizens of Fayetteville in order to resolve the recurring conflict between neighborhoods and the planning process? 2. What specific actions can the City Council take to diffuse. the past and again current concerns about roads over East Moun- tain/ Mt. Sequoyah? Panel - Responses s.E Don Market - Opens the floor for comments, questions from the audience, both to the Council and the Planning Commission Don Market - Invitation to Mayor to respond Mayor Fred Hanna - Closing comments 9:00 P.M. Paul Bynum - Closing remarks and conclusion of the meeting SOME OF THE. COMMENTS'FROM THE MANY RESPONSE'S TO--THWJ'NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT LETTER" WHICH ASKED WHAT NEIGHBORS VALUE MOST ABOUT THE MT. SEQUOYAH/EAST MTN. AREA AND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE WITIi REGARD TO "ROADS OVER THE MTN." ...We've been through this before! Do not change our quiet, pristine neighborhoodfor the sake of real estate developers! A master street plan was developed and adopted two years ago. There'll be a huge credi- bility problem if the city goes back on its word to avoid routing through traffic on our st ep hill. - ...I can see no reason, other than cutting 5 minutes of someone's dri- ✓ ing time, tocut a swath for traffic through what is left of this pris- tine mountain. It would simply be destroying one neighborhood for the benefit of others, who should feel the same way about their own. It would turn this area into an inner city, with speed, traffic, smells, and dangers which all congestion entails. ...We have had 2 accidents (car) on our "peak" on Rockwood, near Kenil-? 1 worth. Cars go too fast --we don't need more cars and more speed. ...One must personally drive the present street between Rockwood Trail and Anson to understand the grade and topography of this area --and to understand how impractable it is to build new streets to connect down- town with Crossover Road (Hwy 265)... ..."The Mountain" is a steep one -- one that is difficult as far as streets are concerned --we must accept that fact and abide by that. ...I'm against adding through streets over Mt. Sequoyah. As you well ]snow, it's already difficult to turn left onto Hwy 45 from Eastwood, Rockw000d, o r other connecting streets(especially for those of us trying to get to work by 8:00 a.m.). ...we should be trying to figure out a way to di- rect traffic away from the area. Why not make Hwy 265 a 4 -lane, improve Hwy 16, and encourage drivers to go around Mt. Sequoyah to get to the U of A and/or downtown Fayetteville? ...I lived on Ridgeway for 9 years before I bought my house on Rockwood. My house is my only investment (I teach teach, single parent)....I never. dreamed there was the possibility of using Rockwood for a connecting street over the hill. ...Also --there is already a traffic problem to turn left on Mission off of Rockwood. Has the city checked/counted that yet ...An east -west through street would destroy the value and desirability of the neighborhood. I would be very much against it. The present streets could not accommodate heavier traffic. ...This has been our home since 1956 (40 years) and each day has been enjoyable....with the view, quiet neighborhood...beautiful houses...and clean streets thanks to the walkers' daily pick-up!!!' ...We live in Fayetteville because we have found peace on top of this mountain. We love this area and are very afraid that roads going through here will totally change the area. It is a place where people in our town come(b bike, jog, walk, etc) to find peace and serenity. I often see peoplefrom my deck walking their dogs and singing to their hearts content. ...I do not understand the need for 'connectiveness.' ...Add to the list of values: The close community spirit...a hazardous t raffic problem will tend to diminish the community spirit ...It was a good decision in 1986 to keep the main arterial streets (45 & 16 East), widen them when necessary and not cross the mountain. It will be another good decision in 1996! MORE.COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM NEIGHBORS IN MT. SEQUOYI5H "ai2.4A road "over the Mountain" would - be very expensive to build and maintain - seems to be wanted only by those in the "high roller building/ " developer category who would then gain financially, probably by developing even more apt., etc. THE EAST MTN./ , • v . .I feel not having a through street is a great crime deterrent....;...,;. ';, ...My concern is that we will damage the environment physically and socially with more thru streets and wider streets on the mountain. Right now it is self-monitoring. I often go up to escape the noise and traffic of Hwy 45. ...Perhaps it's time for the planning commission to consider the alter- native of saying, "NO" to a development proposal instead of assuming" that "land will" developed and that it is their job to "find a way to develop it". The "planning" commission appears to many residents to be a "developers'" commission. There are many examples of towns in the U.: that have vastly improved the "quality" of living by preserving green - space --I recommend the commission visit Boulder, Colorado as an example of a town that is not run by developers. ...There is obviously a need for improved traffic flow, and all of us should be more understanding of those with different or conflicting interests. However, in adopting the 2020 plan, doesn't our City govern- ment approve the notion of protecting long-established neighborhoods -- such as Mt. Sequoyah area? Perhaps we need to think more long-range; that is, while we are dealing with the traffic circulation problem, perhaps we shouls not be so quick to approve new developments on the east side of town until there is a resolution of this perennial problem. I have a Masters Degree in City Planning from GA Tech and was active in that profession for many years. For many years, I was director ofa multi - county planning and development organization with a multi -discipline staff (incl economic development, as well as physical develpment profes- sionals). During all that time, I had ample opportunity to observe and interact with subdividers and developers. Although I'm sure there must be those in the land development profession who are genuinely concerned about the community and the people who will be affected by thier actions, my experience was', that those who take such a broad-minded view are in the minority. Their desire is to attract buyers, spend as little as possible, and make the maximum return-- not unlike most other businesses. The point is this, however: The quality of city and neighborhood environment must be protected by the citizens themselves, as they are the ones who will lose in the event of bad street and traffic patterns, "look-alike" housing, and the lack of open space. In my judgement, the environment of those residents along Rockwood Trail, and to some degree, all residents in the neighborhood, would be very much adversely affected by an extension of Rockwood to Crossover Road, which would allow it subsequently to be become a collector street. Emphasis should be put, instead, on upgrading the traffic capacity of Mission Blvd, which even now is carrying heavy loads at peak hours. Making Rockwood a "collector" would serve no purpose other than as a "shortcut" for those people residing in the subdivisions along Crossover Rd. It would not serve to connect any major traffic generators, as there are none to connect. In my view, the price to be paid in creating such a "shortcut" is far too high and would have to be bourne by those people residing on Rockwood and the surrounding neighborhood. The people who bought homes in the rapidly developing areas along Crossover knew when they bought that access to downtown would be by Mission Blvd and Hwy 16 E. They have no right, whatsoever, then, to expect Mt Sequoyah folks to sacrifice their quality of life for their benefit.