Comments for 24 125333 00 PLN

I would like to request the Snowball street stay closed off. If not the posting of NO PARKING signs. My concern is that the complex residents will use that access as parking or visitor parking. Also, I would like the complex to use a decorative wall to seal off the complex from the homes.

I would like to know if a traffic study has been done. This is a residential area but the traffic on Baxter has more than doubled since they put the street all the way through from Battle Creek and added more apartments and condos on Wiltsey and Madras. They have also added additional bus routes on Baxter so the buses are running every 30 minutes. I would also like to know how this is going to affect my home value. I feel this will surely lower all of our property values. I am completely opposed against this proposed development.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed multi-family development in our neighborhood. While I understand the need for affordable housing in our city, I believe that this project would have a detrimental impact on our community. First and foremost, the proposed development is simply too large for our area. The increase in population density would put a strain on our already overburdened infrastructure, leading to increased traffic congestion, noise pollution, and strain on our public services. Additionally, the construction of this project would result in significant environmental damage, destroying natural habitats and putting wildlife at risk. Furthermore, the type of housing being proposed is simply not in keeping with the character of our neighborhood. This development would bring in a large number of low-income residents, which could lead to increased crime rates and other negative social effects. It would also drastically alter the aesthetic of our area, replacing the existing greenery and open spaces with a monolithic, high-density housing complex. Finally, I am deeply concerned about the impact this development would have on property values in the surrounding area. The influx of low-income residents could result in a decline in property values, making it difficult for current residents to sell their homes and move elsewhere. In conclusion, I strongly urge you to reconsider this proposed housing development. While I recognize the need for affordable housing, I believe that this project is simply not the right fit for our neighborhood. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Randi Orr

Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed multi-family development in our neighborhood. While I understand the need for affordable housing in our city, I believe that this project would have a detrimental impact on our community. First and foremost, the proposed development is simply too large for our area. The increase in population density would put a strain on our already overburdened infrastructure, leading to increased traffic congestion, noise pollution, and strain on our public services. Additionally, the construction of this project would result in significant environmental damage, destroying natural habitats and putting wildlife at risk. Furthermore, the type of housing being proposed is simply not in keeping with the character of our neighborhood. This development would bring in a large number of low-income residents, which could lead to increased crime rates and other negative social effects. It would also drastically alter the aesthetic of our area, replacing the existing greenery and open spaces with a monolithic, high-density housing complex. Finally, I am deeply concerned about the impact this development would have on property values in the surrounding area. The influx of low-income residents could result in a decline in property values, making it difficult for current residents to sell their homes and move elsewhere. In conclusion, I strongly urge you to reconsider this proposed housing development. While I recognize the need for affordable housing, I believe that this project is simply not the right fit for our neighborhood. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Randi Orr

I’ve reviewed the proposal and have several objections. The proposal of multi-family housing, while similar to those recently constructed on the South side of Baxter West of the church, would be incongruent with the existing developed land immediately to the West, North and East of the lots. The number of units proposed nearly triples the density of units in comparison to the properties immediately adjacent to these lots. I have concerns that this will dramatically increase the volume of traffic and place burden on infrastructure. Will there be an impact to water pressure, natural gas pressure, telecommunications speed, storm drainage, etc.? This location tends to receive higher than average winds and rainfall compared to lower elevations only a couple of blocks away. As a result, there are instances where the volume of water flowing down Snowball begins to overwhelm the street gutters. Occasionally the roadway begins to resemble a river. As it is currently, the lots in question are currently mostly turf and absorbing or slowing down the flow of water that has fallen further uphill. Should there be more hard surfaces ‘upstream’, I fear that there will be a likelihood that water will flow into several houses on the West side of Mac Street. The current plans add additional hard surfaces directly uphill. I also do not know how much additional water will be added from the water that falls on the roofs of the new buildings. The seven significant trees that are proposed to be removed have been of substantial size before we moved here nearly 20 years ago. As a designated Tree City USA participant, it should be concerning for the city to allow the removal of the significant trees. Setbacks abutting a street are important for safety, providing better sightlines for drivers. Reducing the setback as proposed could impose a safety risk, especially given the proposed increased population density. While the parking spot ratio proposed is 1.53 stalls per unit, I noticed that a large number of them appear to be identified for compact cars. Given the combination of units I would expect to have multiple cars, the likelihood of guests needing parking, the nature of some of the spaces being small or reserved for EV or for disabled parking, and the number of stalls that are likely too narrow, there likely is not enough parking. We experienced an overflow of parked vehicles in my immediate neighborhood after the development of the multi-family units to the West of the church. I have concerns that there will be a need for tenants and guests to find additional parking spaces. It is unclear what is intended by separating the northern portion of the property on its own parcel. It would appear that this would lead to a dead-ended road and an otherwise isolated lot. If we had the funds and given the opportunity, we would have loved to purchase the existing house and property as is. If these lots are limited to being developed for multi-family units, I think the city is misappropriating the space. The existing house has a direct view of Mount Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Jefferson. I presume that the houses currently sitting to the North and North East of the existing house have similar views, to include the multi-level house on the North East corner (1760 Barnes Ave per included map). This would be prime real estate for similar homes to be designed explicitly with these views in mind. Looking at the plans for the buildings, they do not appear to be taking advantage of their location or views. Sub-dividing the existing lots into single family lots no smaller than the lots in the sub-divisions immediately adjacent to the lots in question would likely alleviate most of my concerns. It would be feasible to develop around the significant trees without harming them, minimize the increased stress of infrastructure/utilities, minimize the increase in traffic and parking needs, as well as reduce the volume of hard surfaces and allowing more green space for rain. It would also allow the new development to better blend in with the areas immediately adjacent to the lots.

Dear Planning Division, RE: Application # 24-125333-PLN We are writing in response to the proposal for the construction of 138 apartments adjacent to our street, encompassing Mac St, Abbie Ave, and Snowball Ave. After careful consideration, we have significant concerns regarding the impact this development would have on our peaceful neighborhood. Our primary concern centers around the potential for increased traffic, noise, and safety hazards that would arise from integrating 138 new residences into an already heavily populated area. The addition of these apartments will inevitably overwhelm our limited space, resulting in extreme congestion and substantial disruptions to the quiet, calm, and safety that currently defines our neighborhood. We are particularly worried about the safety of our children. With the introduction of this development, we anticipate a notable increase in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, which may lead to unsafe driving behaviors, particularly speeding, and an influx of disrespectful pedestrians and stray animals. This will create a hazardous environment, making it difficult for children to walk to the bus stop, retrieve mail, play in their front yards, or safely enjoy activities such as biking or playing ball in the street. Furthermore, we are concerned that the proposed design, which includes two cul-de-sacs with open access to the new apartments, may inadvertently invite additional parking challenges. While intended as safety features, these cul-de-sacs would likely become an extension of the apartment parking lot, compounding the existing issue of limited parking in the area. We are especially worried about the potential for increased crime, including loitering and garbage searching, as the development could attract individuals from outside the community. Additionally, the previous development across Baxter Ave has already contributed to a shortage of available parking, which continues to impact our neighborhood today. It is unlikely that the proposed apartments will provide adequate parking for all residents, exacerbating this ongoing issue. We also have concerns regarding the potential decline in property values, the overcrowding of local schools, and the overall increase in noise levels associated with such a high-density development in a relatively small area. In conclusion, we strongly oppose the construction of these apartments on Mac St, Abbie Ave, and Snowball Ave. We do not approve any of the requests in the proposal request. We do not support the introduction of cul-de-sacs at the ends of our streets, nor do we approve the use of our neighborhood streets for any purpose other than serving the current residents. Thank you for your attention to our concerns. We hope these points will be carefully considered in the review of this proposal. In addition, we hope that the proposal to build the appartments is declined and single family homes built instead.