The PROPOSAL

We are writing to express strong opposition to the proposed rezoning of properties at ‘The Oaks on Fleur’ Development at 3020 Fleur Drive and adjacent lot from N3A to a NX1 on the northwest quadrant of Fleur Drive and Willomere Drive. While the local community may be unable to prevent development that will be detrimental to the area, nearly all residents in the Southwestern Hills Association neighborhoods are opposed to the rezoning of NX1. This has been proven by the Southwestern Hills Neighborhood Association members by an overwhelming majority vote from the developers previous attempts to build on Park Avenue and Fleur Drive. Our current zoning of N3A allows for single family housing (ranch) midcentury modern neighborhood. This development will cause traffic and safety problems, create even more problems with schools that are already over-capacity, destroy local wildlife habitat (owls were already displaced without assistance from Animal Rescue from property clearance by the developer), and potentially lower the property values of the existing community. 

The development of multiple-family residences (row house style) tends to be clustered together in large developments near other dense land uses, such as commercial and office, as opposed to being scattered throughout neighborhoods; multiple-family residences are typically, physically, and visually, isolated from single-family residences; it is the goal of the Planning Commission to preserve existing neighborhoods. Our opposition is also based on these potential/probable negative effects:

• The loss of neighborhood and community character
• Increased traffic congestion adding to an already dangerous situation at Park Avenue/Fleur Drive and cross traffic from Willomere Drive and causing accidents
• Once the property is rezoned, the developer can change the original concept within the approved new zoning 
• The destruction of green space and mature trees as well as driving animals out of the area (displacement of owls already without concern)
• A possible negative effect on the market value of surrounding homes
• Rain runoff on a flood prone Willowmere Drive (sandbags are currently used at the bottom of Willowmere Drive to prevent localized flooding)
• Many Brody students use Willowmere Drive to access Fleur. The additional traffic will certainly create safety concerns. 

Please DO NOT rezone this proposed development site to NX1. Once the property is rezoned, a developer can change the original concept within the approved new zoning. Single family construction fits within this neighborhood and community.

Traffic and safety of pedestrians are major areas of concern. Traffic jams and accidents are monthly on Fleur Drive due to already congested density and flow from existing apartments and residents as well as business traffic. There is an optical natural obstruction at the breach of the hill moving south on Fleur Drive 100 feet from this proposed development that has been reported to the city engineer and traffic departments with accidents occurring frequently. Adding 15+ new households proposed in this development will increase flow of a minimum of 30 cars to what is already congested flow just north of this marked point and could potentially increase accident and safety for traffic flow on Fleur and will disrupt the distance between Willomere Drive, Fleur Drive and Park Avenue deceleration lanes and the Park Avenue/Willomere Drive and Fleur Drive intersections. The intersection is routinely blocked by traffic turning onto Park Avenue 1 block north from Fleur Drive during rush hour. 

The local neighborhood traffic will disproportionately surge during morning and evening rush hours, causing traffic issues during critical times for the existing Grays Lake and Southwestern Hills neighborhoods. The traffic surge during morning rush hours will also negatively impact safety for children, since students walk to school in the mornings on surrounding blocks including Willomere Drive, Fleur Drive and Park Avenue. In general, the area traffic is continuing to increase, and heavy traffic is already. 

Schools in the area are already reported at overcapacity, and the council should not approve multi-family dwellings that creates or exacerbates a situation that will cause school concurrency to fail for this proposal and/or other approved plans. 

Wildlife has been observed in the area, and any development will destroy their habitat. Any planned development of the property should consider the continuing impact to local wildlife habitat. There has already been a proven disregard for this in the displacement of owls. 

The Multifamily dwellings are inconsistent with the neighborhoods developed in the area. 

We are disappointed that several mailed notices were inconsistent. Some information on the proposal indicates 15 units, others saying 14 from the city letter and then another from the developer saying 12. 

We urge you to disapprove the proposed rezoning from N3A to NX1 and protect the integrity of our neighborhood within the midcentury modern design and feel. Any other type of structures would negatively impact our historical neighborhood, aesthetics and the density would negatively impact our infrastructure and safety and struggles with current traffic issues. Our neighborhoods opinions are shared by many who have not managed to attend meeting or write letters and emails. 

Thank you for your continued service and support of our communities. 

We respectfully submit opposition to this project.