HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-02-22 Public Comment - M. Ward - Comments regarding Fowler Connector projectFrom:Molly Ward
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments regarding Fowler Connector project
Date:Tuesday, August 2, 2022 11:46:42 AM
Attachments:Commmission mtg comment (2).pdf
Cottonwood Corridor Study (2).pdf
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Commissioners and Mayor,
I'm not sure if I will get a chance to present my comment in person tonight or not yet, and I
recognize that I also may not be given the full 3 minutes so I'm submitting it here instead. I
hope you will take the time to read through this and take my thoughts (which reflect the
thoughts of others in the community) into account moving forward with the Fowler Connector
project.
Molly Ward
401 Sanders Ave. (I own a condo at 3401 Fallon, corner of Fowler and Fallon)
Hello Mayor, Commissioners - thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Since this project has been approved to move forward to the pre-design phase and you are not
actually voting on anything tonight I won’t spend my comment time arguing against the project,
although I still do not agree that there is a demonstrated need for this connector based on traffic
flow data (as presented by my sister, Abby Ward).
I will, however, point out what I think are some very key details that need to be addressed in this
phase.
●There was much discussion at the Transportation Board meeting about involving
community members in this process moving forward, but no amendments made to that
end. I urge you to enforce a community engagement role in the form of a small
committee of individuals who can work with the pre-design team to address community
concerns. I believe the team is open to this input and I am personally willing to be
involved in a constructive manner.
●I think it is extremely important that a current and thorough environmental study be
completed for the corridor. An environmental survey was completed for this area at the
landowners expense back in 2001 and at that time a noted MSU Ecologist wrote a letter
stating the importance of the cottonwood habitat and the need to conserve it. I contacted
the professor, Dr. Jay Rotella, who gave me permission to share it again today. 20 years
later this already rare habitat has become much more scarce in our valley. The study at
that time also noted that “losses may be a violation of the Migratory Bird Protection act”.
It is critical to complete due diligence to ensure this is not a factor. It should be noted that
there are hawks nesting in the trees in one of the medians on Davis and many migratory
songbirds documented in this area. (letter and study attached)
●I strongly urge you to meet with community members for a tour of the corridor where this
road is slated to be built to see the reality of the landscape. This connector may have
been recommended in master planning documents, but, the fact is, a subdivision was
approved by the city and built in that corridor between Babcock and Durston and only a
very narrow corridor with minimum setbacks now exists where there was once much
more space to put a road through. There are very real health effects and safety concerns
associated with the proximity of the homes to the proposed roadway, especially with
increased traffic. This is also true for increased traffic through the park and baseball field
areas south of Babcock on Fowler.
●Finally, although again, I do not agree with the need for this road, I do believe it will be
heavily used as it will provide a direct route through the neighborhood. I urge the team to
thoroughly evaluate the projections for traffic flow and associated health and safety
impacts through what has been designated by the city as a residential neighborhood.