Comments for 24 122051 00 PLN

In the interest of keeping good civility between our future neighbors this comment is anonymous. We have the following concerns/comments regarding the proposal to partition. 1. Given this is Comfort Homes, one can safely assume that the 5 acre parcels will not be on city services and will be two single family homes on acreage using well and septic. One can also safely assume that the remaining 22.72 acres would be used for a subdivision. A subdivision in this area would vastly impact traffic, and congestion in what is currently (besides understandable school traffic) a quiet area that neighbors who have lived here many years enjoy. We pay an extremely high amount of property taxes for this privilege and our tax rate is disproportionate in comparison to the "benefits" ie access to city water/sewer, and emergency services, of living the city of Salem. Most are not happy about the taxes, but accept it knowing that we at least enjoy nature, low traffic and space. That's why we all live here. 2. The impact on the natural environment nearby will be irreversible changed. We worry about impact on croisan creek and its effect downstream from development. This area boasts beautiful forest, wetlands, and an iconic Willamette valley ecosystem home to deer, bobcats, and many other species. We have to draw lines that we cannot cross and seek more appropriate areas for inevitable development. 3. Lastly, the current owners have shown a pattern of behavior that is concerning. They started development already by felling trees, bulldozing underbrush, moving dirt, and bringing in fill dirt. These activities spawned illegal burning that drowned the area in thick smoke for days on end (effecting athletes and students at Sprague and Schirle), and caused muddy roads which led to weeks of silty water going right into storm drains. They seem to work on an ask forgiveness, not permission basis and a licensed homebuilder should know better and do better. The fear is that they will continue this pattern of behavior and the area will end up with an unwanted development and a destructive and disruptive path to its conclusion. If what is proposed is approved, it is our hope that the not only Comfort home be good stewards of the land, but that that City of Salem will actually enforce its own codes as it relates to how people use this area. After all, isn't that why we pay such high property taxes? This is a shot across the bow; as it stands now we are approaching a moment where a subdivision will be petitioned. We and our neighbors are staunchly against it.

When we built our home in 2016 we wanted to put in our driveway to have access from Ballyntine but were denied this. We had to bring in 60 truck loads of dirt and compact it at great expense to form just the beginning of a long switchback to create an access from the other side of our property. I don’t think they should be allowed to connect an entire new road with huge potential for traffic onto Ballyntine

Croisan Creek and Ballyntyne roads are frequently used by pedestrians and cyclists. There is no shoulder on the road, with several blind hills and blind corners. There is very little traffic on the road so this does not create much of an issue. The proposal will dramatically increase the traffic on the lower portion of the road, potentially creating a hazard for those using the road. Widening that portion of the road to create a useable shoulder would be well-advised to increase safety for its users.

We are highly disappointed that there was not information provided to the home owners on Ballyntyne Rd. We noticed the clearing of trees and a possible road going in. We did not think it would be a sub division of many homes which will impact traffic, safety at the corner of where the tree lot it, the water table during drought years, etc. there is not side walk along our road which impacts walkers and bikers. Why was there no meeting with us so we could see what was coming in so we could voice concerns, and see what solutions will be offered?

Good Day, My family and I are homeowners in this neighborhood. When my 12 yr saw this notice, he said, "Oh no! Are they going to build apartments?, then we won't have a peaceful neighborhood." At the forefront of my concern here is, what exactly is going to be built in these lots and what is going to happen to the creek that runs through the natural reserve? There is a fair amount of wildlife and quiet that exist currently. Here on Ballyntyne Rd we enjoy the luxury of nature while still being very close to school, work and play. I take daily walks with my dogs on this road and I love the fact that I can safely walk knowing most of the people who drive past me. A motivating factor for purchasing in this area, was that it's outside the city limits but still close to work. Another concern is how busy the road will become considering there is only one way in and one way out. Please consider leaving the Land use as it was designated prior to this request. There are a lot of homes, families and older retired folks that live here who still value the quiet, nature and limited traffic in our neighborhood. Please don't allow technology and greed motivate changing an area where many have invested their life savings to have a rural life close to the city. If a change has to be made, please keep the access point from Keubler and leave Croisan Cr Rd S/Ballyntyne Rd S as it is, leave the natural reserve and please do not allow multi-family dwelling, apartment type buildings to continue to crowed out the country neighborhood we have invested in and live in. Summary Points 1. It is not clear what will be built once the land is divided and the land use designation is changed 2. Not very much time has been given for evaluation, understanding, research and to make comment, the entire community of Ballyntyne Rd should been have notified, this is a share road with only one way in and out 3. The online access to see all documents, is not easily accessed and timing has not allowed for adequate evaluation 4. Croisan Creek and natural reserve swamp lands should be kept, there are: deer, Eagles, rabbits, squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, bob cats snakes and many more small creatures that reside here. Please consider opening the comments to all the owners that live on Ballyntyne Rd S for transparency and to address the concerns are real and will have a profound effect on our way of living and our investments. Thank you for considering our position, concern and wellbeing.

We just learned today of this proposal. As adjacent neighbors, we have several concerns and are requesting a public hearing or meeting to discuss. Several other neighbors are concerned and have questions, so we would appreciate an opportunity to provide our input. Please let us know when we can meet with you. Thank you.

It is very disappointing that residents along Ballyntyne Rd were not given any notification to this development proposal, as increased traffic along Ballyntyne Rd and Croisan Creek Rd will directly impact existing residents. I have concerns about the increase in traffic if Croisan Creek Rd is extended to Ballyntyne Rd due to the road being very narrow, with blind corners and no shoulder. The other concern is that the intersection at Kuebler Rd and Croisan Creek Rd is already a dangerous intersection and has a history of car accidents. Adding more residents will increase the traffic in that area that does not currently have the space to compensate for it safely.

I am a concerned homeowner on Ballyntyne Rd S, a few questions I have are as follows: Are wetlands protected? It appears that a traffic study was already performed. Why was the entire neighborhood not included? What was the result of the traffic study? As a neighbor, why the lack of transparency especially about all the changes? It doesn't feel neighborly or honest. On behalf of this community, I am requesting a hearing to include the entire community in the decision for such a significant change that will potentially affect those who live on this single entry/exit road. Thank you for considering my questions and concerns.

To start off 21 mailers, to residents “in the area” is not enough public notice to bring attention to and allow comments about this developmental proposal. There is hundreds of us that live close to 2592 Kuebler Rd. S Salem that this will effect on the daily if approved. After review of all documents associated with this property our many concerns have greatly increased. Shadow plans indicate the potential of this area turning into a large multi-home development. It is one thing to approve a few large acre home sites, “34.13 acre property into three parcels” “The site being developed is about 34 acres in size and zoned RA. The applicant is proposing to develop the site with a 3 Parcel Partitioning for residential development.” It’s quite another to disrupt the riparian area of croisan creek with upward of 75 homes. I will be honest the mailer seems a bit deceptive, after looking into the shadow plans and reading all the reports, to this large lot. This is clearly the end goal and upon approval of this initial partition, we would beg the City to make it a stipulation that this proposed development be halted. This type of development will destroy the area, cause major congestion, disrupt natural wildlife habitat, deer, bobcats, eagles, too many to list, but don’t forget all the creepy crawling creatures in the wetlands and in the dirt. We are living in their habitats. A development would displace them and will have irreversible effects. Flood plans and potential landslides (which this area is in danger of) due to the area in which this is located. This will not be affordable housing. It's a lose, lose, lose, win. Loss for the habitat and wildlife, loss for the existing neighbors, loss for more affordable housing, and win only for the pocketbook of the developer. There are better areas in Salem for developers to put up homes. Keep looking. There is too many items listed to even be able to grasp what direction this project will go and how it will end up. “may be required” is listed several times, all information is vague, yet will effect all of us that call this area home. “Proposed” Parcel 1-5.00 Acres Parcel 2-5.00 Acres Parcel 3-22.72 Acres (Water Quailty Faciliity) Right of way dedication/improvements-1.51 acres What Is the “public right of way dedication” ---vague “Lots 1 and 2 are 5.00 acre parcels. The development plans for these parcels are not known at this time” And “The site being developed is about 34 acres in size and zoned RA. The applicant is proposing to develop the site with a 3 Parcel Partitioning for residential development.” and The Geo tec has “6” homes stated with possible landslide danger “Subdividing the 34.23-acre site into 6 residential lots. • Construction of a new single family residential structure on each lot. No details were provided regarding the future residences, but we anticipate each structure will be one to two stories, wood-framed, and incorporate slab on grade ground floors or post and beam floor construction (crawlspaces). For the purposes of this report, we have assumed maximum column, continuous wall, and uniform floor slab loads associated with the new residences will be on the order of 25 kips, 2 kips per lineal foot (klf), and 150 pounds per square foot (psf), respectively” and “We understand the project is in its preliminary stages of planning, but will consist of subdividing the 34.23-acre site into six residential lots. We anticipate future development will include construction of single-family residential structures and appurtenant features on each of the respective lots”. ~geo tec report The City of Salem has held strong to denying property owners direct access on both Ballyntyne and Kuebler, yet the proposal mentions . “ As shown on the shadow plan, Croisan Creek Road will be extended from Ballyntine Road to Kuebler Road, north to south” Preliminary Drainage Report It is stated under access control “the applicant shall be required to obtain an adjustment to this section” and that “no new driveway approaches onto Kuebler Road S will be approved” When the City denies single home developments to have access. Yet suggests a developer may access to both of those roads with 70 plus home entering and exiting. We are highly against this. There is a “tree plan” where 23 trees are proposed to be removed, that are located in the potential right- of -way including “5 significant Oregon White Oak trees” also Why is a “right a way” involving Kuebler at this time? There are several reports/documents that say “Critera has been met” this statement doesn’t mean it’s what is best for this location. From the moment this land was purchased Comfort Homes started clearing the land with equipment, bulldozing small trees and shrubs, moving dirt, bringing in dump load after dump load of fill dirt. muddied the streets for weeks, with zero erosion control in place. Starting multiple illegal fires on multiple days and months later after being told this isn’t allowed. (some having over 20 foot flames) after dark into the night, all without a burn permit in an area zoned no burning. We had smoky air for weeks and Sprague students/ athletics also complained about the bad air quality each day at school/practice. Gravel added to roads etc and no these were not needed up to this point, prior to proper permits. We already have a bad taste of what we will have to deal with and will be dealing with for years. Proceed with great caution. (‘The applicant shall be required to obtain a clearing and grading permit prior to conducting any clearing and grading operations on parcels within the city limits (SRC 82.030). “) Comfort Homes has been in operation since 2002, they KNOW better and should do better. What type of penalty has the City of Salem held the company to for such behavior? There should be more then just a slap on the hand. How will they enforce the same type of actions do not take place again moving forward? Please leave the office, visit the site and see the damage that has already taken place and will continue to take place if the property is divided and approved for a subdivision/futher development. We will be robbed of the reason many of us chose to make this our forever homes, close to town but, not full of neighborhoods. As of now it’s a quiet, peaceful, beautiful environment with little light pollution, low traffic and congestion, a development will change all of that, we are completely against this proposal.

As residents of Ballyntyne Road we are concerned about the proposed development plan for 2592 Kuebler Road. We are especially concerned about the increase in traffic that more residential development will bring as the roads around the property are narrow and have no shoulder. Merely widening the road near the development will not solve the problem as both Kuebler and Ballyntyne Roads are steep hills that cars drive at high speeds. Adding more traffic at Croisan Creek Rd. will increase the likelihood of accidents in the area. Extending Croisan Creek Road through the property will bring the same negative impact to residents on Ballyntyne. Another concern is for the natural wetlands that exist on the property. Croisan Creek runs through the property and for much of the year is overflowing and the surrounding areas are marshy and home to many animals. In the past the creek has been monitored by students at Sprague to quantify the effects of tire shedding on the water quality. Adding more car trips to these roads will certainly add more pollution to the stream. Additionally, this area protects neighbors living downstream by providing water containment during a storm. The stream already overflows across Croisan Road during heavy rains. Reducing the wetland area on the property will only increase that flooding on Crosian Road.

As a recipient of this notice we request a hearing with full disclosure regarding the intended and any potential land use permits/changes. We also request that all neighbors who would be impacted by this decision be made aware of the hearing given that there is only one access up Ballyntyne for those living beyond the proposed notice for land use request.

We are concerned about the increased traffic and the effects that this project will have on the wildlife in our area.

We are residents who access our homes and properties off Ballyntyne Rd. S. The proposed development at 2592 Kuebler Rd. will impact traffic safety on Ballyntyne Rd. Ballyntyne Rd. and the Croisan Creek Rd. connecter between Kuebler Rd. and Ballyntyne Rd. are both narrow roadways with no shoulders. Walkers and cyclists must share the paved roadway with all vehicular traffic, creating a significant hazard. Increasing traffic on these roads will make the hazards worse. If the proposed development (3 parcels with access from Ballyntyne Rd. S.) is approved, please include in the approval a requirement that the developer complete the 10’ wide sidewalk along the north side of Ballyntyne and the 5’ wide walkway along the west side of the Croisan Creek Rd. connecter from Kuebler Rd. before starting any further onsite development on the subject parcels. If in the future it is proposed to further develop the three proposed parcels, as has been shown in the submitted “Shadow Plans”, we will have other significant concerns and comments. Please ensure that all residents who use Ballyntyne Rd. S. as access to their properties are included in all future development plan reviews and meetings for the subject parcels. As a side note, please change the name of the connecter road between Kuebler Rd. and Ballyntyne Rd. S. to “Ballyntyne Rd.” and not “Channel St.” as proposed by the developer of 2592 Kuebler. The existing name of this connecter is Croisan Creek Rd. It is very confusing to the public and services trying to find addresses on Ballytyne Rd. S., and Channel St. would also be confusing.