ST0501-CS081012
(2/15/2010) Rhonda Adloo - Re: Deforest constructionPage 1
From:
Ken Griffin
To:
jason@abisinc.com
CC:
Keith Marvin,Rhonda Adloo,DiWanna Baskins,Michael Garza
Date:
10/12/2008 10:40 PM
Subject:
Re: Deforest construction
Mr. Miller
Hopefully this will address some of you concerns.
1) The inclusion of a sidewalk on the south side of Deforest is being investigated.
2) Stop signs are not used for speed control, they are used for intersection control. The city of Coppell
adopted the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (as have most cities in Texas while cities in
other states have adopted the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) for rules on the installation of
everything from signs to traffic lights. The TMUTCD provides warrants that must be met before a stop
sign can be installed. My department receives 25-50 requests a year for stop signs and of that amount
only a small percentage are warranted. The installation of an unwarranted stop sign creates legal liability
for the city if an accident occurs because of the unwarranted stop sign. Once the road is complete, a stop
sign warrant study will be performed. Only if the stop signs are warranted, will they be installed.
3) Speed humps are used on residential streets that have between 500-2500 vehicles per day. A street
that carries more than 2500 vehicles a day is classified as a collector and speed humps are not allowed
on collector streets. Also, the 85th% speed of the vehicles has to exceed the posted speed by 5 mph.
(The 85th% speed is the speed at which 85% of the vehicles are traveling at or below.) If speed humps
are justified on Deforest, they will be added to the list of currents streets that have been waiting, in some
cases, for 15 years. The long wait is because until this year we did not have a road hump program that
would not impede the time of response vehicles. We now use a modified hump. The first installation was
on Winding Hollow this year. You may want to take a look at it when you have time.
4) I'm confused about your statement concerning the fairness of some areas having brick fences while
others will still have wood fences. To be clear, we are not proposing to build any brick fences. We are
proposing some concrete retaining walls in areas where we do not have room to grade the land flat
enough so it can be safely mowed and maintained. Some of the concrete walls will face the alley and
some will face Deforest. In all areas there will still be a wood fence. I'm also confused about you
comment on taxes. All people in Coppell pay taxes and the city is not allowed to used those tax dollars on
private property for the sole benefit of the adjoining citizens. Because of that, the city has not built any
brick screening walls in Coppell. The walls are built by the initial developer and maintained by the HOA.
The Lakes of Coppell could have built a brick screening wall along Deforest, but they chose to build a
wood fence. If the residents in this area desire a brick screening wall they should contact their HOA so
the HOA can design and build the brick wall. If the HOA is inclined to build a brick screening wall, they
should touch base with the Engineeing Department so we can ensure it is constructed at the correct grade
to match the current plans.
I did not have another email attached. The only attachment was another copy of your mail. However, if
you should have any additional comments or observations, please contact Keith or I at your convenience.
Ken Griffin, P. E.
Director of Engineering/Public Works
972-304-3686
kgriffin@ci.coppell.tx.us
>>> "Jason Miller" <jason@abisinc.com> 10/12/08 9:58 PM >>>
Ken,
I sent this to Keith, but I also wanted you to receive it as well:
Mr. Marvin,
(2/15/2010) Rhonda Adloo - Re: Deforest constructionPage 2
My name is Jason Miller, my wife, myself and our two young children
live on the corner of Deforest and Allen and we spoke the other night at
the Deforest road construction town meeting. Since speaking with you and
a few other residents in the area that this construction will be
affecting I would like to voice a few concerns in regards to the
proposed construction.
In regards to speed on Deforest, it is very bad now and with a new and
improved road the residents can only expect it to worsen. I have two
young kids and will not allow them to play in their own front yard due
to the high speed of traffic in the area. I would like to voice or
request the consideration of the following:
- A three way stop installed at Allen and Deforest
- Speed humps/bumps installed on Deforest
In regards to a sidewalk only being installed on the North side of
Deforest:
- I would like to know the reasoning that the north side of
Deforest was chosen and not the south side. I also would like to voice
that a sidewalk on the South side would be just as beneficial due to the
fact that there is a larger population of residents living and trying
to access the Andy Brown Park and Aquatic center via walking, biking,
etc. I have traveled this path many times with my two young children and
just trying to cross deforest road can be a challenging if not dangerous
task. It makes since from that both parties (north and south) should
benefit from this construction and tax payers dollars which would mean
two sidewalks.
In regards to the HOA fencing already in place and the brick retaining
wall proposed on the south side of deforest:
- I feel that the propsed brick retaining wall should expand the
whole length of deforest. This would keep traffic volume noise down
which will be increasing due to a new and improved road. It will also
keep the aesthetic look that the Lakes Of Coppell strive for. A half
brick and half wood fence does not seem fare for the residents that get
the half wood fence such as myself. I pay my taxes just as other
residents and expect the same benefits as should other residents.
I have also attached another email from a concerned resident which is
stated below.
I would like to thank you in advance for your time and look forward to
your response and cooperation with the residents that this project will
be impacting.
Jason Miller
H- 972-956-9950