From: M Ryan [mailto:mrt1800@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 8:20 AM
To: Mike Wildgen
Subject: Concerning Agenda Item No. 4 - Burroughs Creek Plan

 

The Woods on 19th Homeowners' Association, Inc.

 

1852 Villo Woods Ct.

Lawrence, KS 66044

 

February 9, 2006

 

Honorable City Commission:

 

Please accept and review this correspondence as part of your consideration of Regular Agenda Item No. 4 during your February 14th, 2006 meeting.

 

The Woods on 19th Homeowners Association supports the rezonings requested as part of the Burroughs Creek Plan.   The planned rezonings would correct inconsistent and nonsensical land use designations in the area bordered by 19th, the BNSF tracks, and Haskell Ave. 

 

The requested rezonings are logical considering the highest and best use of the property in the area.  Over the last three years two large-scale infill residential developments have been added to the area - the Woods on 19th and Hanscom Tappen.  Additionally, other residential construction has added single family and duplex homes to the area.  Having industrial zoned land in the area simply no longer makes sense.

 

The Woods on 19th opposes the aquisition of the 19th Street properties for a "trail-head" facilities area.  The destruction of the homes and connected green space for a parking lot is not dedesirable to the Woods' residents.  Additionally, the Association is concerned about problems resulting from the close proximity of the proposed Salvation Army shelter. 

 

The Woods on 19th believes that the Salvation Army provides critical services to those in need.  However, we also realize that with the new Bullene facility is planned to have 40 beds for single men.  Some of these men will likely have felony convictions, substance abuse problems, or suffer from mental illness.  From a planning perspective, it does not make sense to place a public park across the street from a homeless shelter.  If you examine the aerial photograph, it is immediately apparent that the park would likely be used as a short cut to the shelter.  The close proximity could ultimately lead to a negative public perception of the park and attached trail. 

 

The Woods believes that the current use adds a considerable green space to the area and is preferable to the planned "trail-head" park.  In the future, it would be nice to see new affordable single family homes added to the existing homes on the property similar to those in the Woods neighborhood. 

 

Implicit in approving the Burroughs Creek Plan, is the approval of the requested acquisitions.  We hereby request that your approval of the Burroughs Creek Plan be considered with the modification that the City decline to seek the purchase of the 19th Street property.  We additionally request that you decline to commit in general to the purchase of additional properties until the park planning process has been completed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Matthew R. Tomc

 

Matthew R. Tomc

President,

The Woods on 19th Homeowners' Association

 

 

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