From: Alison Roepe
[mailto:wind-walker@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 1:15 AM
To: Bobbie Walthall
Subject: Tuesday Commission Meeting
Dear Bobby,
I was wondering if you could pass this message to each of the Commissioners in my absence from the meeting Tuesday night. I am out of town, so this is my submission of a public statement for that night. Will it be read aloud?
As a homeowner in the Pickney neighborhood of Lawrence, I have serious concerns about the process for approval of the KU Women's Rowing Team Boathouse that is under consideration to be built in Burcham Park.
I feel that the process is being rushed through the City Planners and City Commissioners, and am not sure why they are not listening to the dissenting voices in town.
In either location, on the river front, or nestled into the trees, the boathouse location is not great for the park. Because of its massive footprint, it will be huge on the bank of the river, and because the materials are so impermeable, it won't contribute, but it will take away from the ecological features of this park that floods on a regular schedule. Nothing has ever been mentioned about bank stabilization, and just who might be responsible for the expense of it. It is a city park, and KU would only be "leasing" it from the city for an unspecified amount of money, if at all. That expense of any bank/tree damage will probably fall to the landlord (city of Lawrence). This in a time when Lawrence is begging for money and taxing everyone more, and yet is unable to take care of simple infrastructure issues that are happening all around town, except in west Lawrence.
They decided that it would be better for the view if they actually stepped the building back into the trees. This is a massive structure, and to make it fit, it will most likely need to cut down at least 12 or 13 old growth Cottonwoods that are probably close to 100 years old. There is a similar number of Mulberries that could come out as well. Then, after they sink the steel 50 feet into the ground to anchor the concrete piers, they could possiblyl kill the next layer of trees in, and could cause severe damage to the forest. When trees are together so closely as that, they operate as a community. The disruption could affect many more of the trees. Also, there will need to be power to the building, so the power company will definitely compromise the setting as it is now. This will not be a trivial thing to the quality of the park.
There are many people that have been left out of the loop of information and KU is moving this through quite quickly. KU wants to start building as soon as they can this fall. If anyone has been near the football stadium on campus lately, and sees the devastation of Campanille Hill, (which everyone admits is a sacred cow), it is easy to be alarmed at the swiftness of all of this and what might happen to the overall quality of Burcham Park.
I was astonished to hear this at the Planning Commission meeting. It seems that the football team on the Hill will lose some of it's matching funds for the boys if they don't throw the girls a title 9 bone! I think it's remarkable to have such an honest statement like this, but wonder why the park and trees are the ones to suffer such speedy negotiations, and with such lack of public notice? Can't this be entered into thoughtfully? Why do we have to be on KU's schedule for this project? It is the ONLY Cottonwod forest in Lawrence. We should value this kind of beauty and protect it, not just develop nature out out from under us. This forest meanders its way clear to Junction city and is a vital example of a Riparian Forest. I personally think we should consider the park first. I do think that having the Rowing Team is a very good addition to the park, and that by being there, the park itself feels safer. Other siting options could be looked at, but is dismissed by the architect at Treanor out of hand, because they don't consider that the trees are worthy of this kind of attention. They will replace the trees they cut down by more appropriate (small) trees that won't cause danger to the building (brick, concrete and steel)?
There are quite a few people that are very concerned about the situation in Burcham Park. If the word could get out about it, maybe there would be good conversation in city hall that could lead to a mutual agreement between the Rowing Team and the City. We are the city, it's made of all us common citizens that just want to have a nice, peaceful place to live. Part of that peace is the deep need to see and be in nature. Lawrence has made many parks, and that adds to the value of the city. But this is a natural park, and has a character of its own. It is wilder, not tamed by anyone's hand. I was hoping that just this once the City Commissioners would consider the people of Lawrence and let the natural wonder of this Cottonwood Forest be enjoyed for generations to come, unspoiled, natural. People need to see something wild and free. It's good for the soul.
On the drawing by Treanor Architects for the KU Athletics Boathouse, from the office of the City Forester, Crystal Miles wrote copious notes about the trees that would be impacted by the siting of the Boathouse in this particular location in the Cottonwood trees.
"This will not work as shown to maintain tree health."
"Current plans show severe loss of roots, which will lead to tree decline with install of base floor.
The proposed concrete path will also damage the tree roots of existing trees. Any grade changes
over 4" will lead to decline of trees, possible destabilization and structural unsoundness of trees
in these public areas--risk of liability and loss of Cottonwood forest area."
"This is the only Cottonwood Forest in Lawrence and trees need to be preserved or reforested."
"Condition of Approval--This is a risk to the city."
"This park has flooded (3' high or more) about once every 6-7 years. What will stop river debris
(dead trees etc.) from being flushed into building during flood? Especially if these buffer trees die
with sidewalk construction-need to plant more trees."
"Damage could increase with construction staging area related equipment storage and parking.
All of these issues need to be resolved with park department prior to approval."
"Trees will interfere with new electric KPL service and be removed by KPL.
How can this be lessened to save trees?"
"Is screening/bank stabilization needed for parking lot?"
"Critical Root Zone needs to be protected under dripline as shown or structure moved to protect tree.
No one has given permission to remove trees for this structure.
Crystal stated that a Tree Survey needs to be done before the project is approved. I understand this is on the City Commission docket for approval this coming Tuesday. Where is this survey? Has it been done, and what are the results if it has been completed?
As a resident of Pickney neighborhood, I am asking for this project to be put on hold until proper tree studies and impact statement on the ecological habitat be fully disclosed. Furthermore, I feel that KU/City of Lawrence have not adequately researched sites within Burcham Park,
and wonder why this is being rushed through.
Respectfully, Alison Roepe