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RE Fwd Bethel Road Phase III - Hearthstone Lane Senior Center intersectionThanks Keith, see you at 2pm on site. Dan Prendergast, E.I.T., LEED Green Associate URBAN PLANNING + DESIGN GROUP Freese and Nichols, Inc. 1701 N. Market St., Suite 500 Dallas, Texas 75202 214-217-2216 www.freese.com <http://www.freese.com/> From: Keith Marvin [mailto:kmarvin@coppelltx.gov] Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 1:12 PM To: Caleb Thornhill; Dan Prendergast Subject: Re: Fwd: Bethel Road Phase III - Hearthstone Lane/ Senior Center intersection See below. We will keep the turn lane option. Let me know if you have any more questions. Keith Keith Marvin, P.E. Project Engineer (972) 304-3681 >>> Brad Reid 5/4/2012 2:24 PM >>> Keith, Thanks for the opportunity for input on this. From a practical standpoint, I have always considered that a west bound left turn lane would be a major benefit to those making the turn into the Senior and Community Center, as well as to the through traffic on Bethel. To build without this lane is asking for problems at this intersection. The primary users of this entry are senior citizens, an increasing percentage of whom struggle with eyesight, particularly at dawn and dusk. Opening this intersection somewhat and allowing additional roadway to maneuver seems appropriate. I am not certain as to the primary reason for your asking input, but the trees that are growing in close proximity to the roadway surface need to be removed for safety reasons whether or not the turn lane is installed. Although trees are beautiful and provide a number of benefits to the human condition including but not limited to social, environmental and economic benefits, one must consider the practical aspects of where specific trees are located when determining their fate as relates to nearby development. Leaving these trees in place would be irresponsible as they inhibit unobstructed views of the roadway and oncoming traffic while attempting to exit the drive at the Senior and Community Center; and limit visibility into the site as would-be visitors to the facility cruise by their turn without seeing the entry until they are perpendicular to where the turn should have been made. I have received a number of complaints from users about this condition. There are plentiful trees very near where the trees in question are located and the removal of these few trees will have no negative impact on the forest, the traveler's experience or the neighbor's screening from the nearby public improvements. Conversely, the negative impacts of leaving these trees in place after the roadway is improved are many. It would be more desirable to have additional lighting in and around this intersection, further enhancing visibility, than to leave these few trees, thereby reducing light and visibility of the improved roadway. Just my 2 cents. Thanks again. Brad >>> Keith Marvin 5/4/2012 9:02 AM >>> Gentlemen, We are in the process of designing the remaining piece of Bethel Road. The attached sketch shows two options at the entrance to the Grapevine Springs Community Center. One option includes a left turn bay for westbound traffic to turn into the driveway, and the option does not. The possibility exists that some of the trees could be saved if we do not build the turn bay. Please review these sketches and let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Keith Keith Marvin, P.E. Project Engineer (972) 304-3681 >>> Caleb Thornhill <bct@freese.com <mailto:bct@freese.com> > 5/3/2012 3:33 PM >>> Keith, Attached are two layouts with and without the turn lanes. We appear to save approximately 5 trees if we do not add the turn lanes. The trees we show being “saved” will still be close to construction and will likely be impacted. But, with Alternative #1, we have the option to try and save them if desired. Take a look and then let’s discuss. B. Caleb Thornhill P.E. Project Manager Freese and Nichols, Inc. <http://www.freese.com/> * Main: 214-217-2200 * Direct: 214-217-2282 * Fax: 214-920-2565 * Email: bct@freese.com <mailto:bct@freese.com> www.freese.com <http://www.freese.com> Please consider the environment before printing this message. ________________________________ This electronic mail message is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This message, together with any attachment, may contain the sender's organization's confidential and privileged information. The recipient is hereby notified to treat the information as confidential and privileged and to not disclose or use the information except as authorized by sender's organization. Any unauthorized review, printing, retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this message in error, please immediately contact the sender by reply email and delete all copies of the material from any computer. Thank you for your cooperation. Dallas, Texas 75202 214-217-2216 www.freese.com <http://www.freese.com/> From: Keith Marvin [mailto:kmarvin@coppelltx.gov] Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 1:12 PM To: Caleb Thornhill; Dan Prendergast Subject: Re: Fwd: Bethel Road Phase III - Hearthstone Lane/ Senior Center intersection See below. We will keep the turn lane option. Let me know if you have any more questions. Keith Keith Marvin, P.E. Project Engineer (972) 304-3681 >>> Brad Reid 5/4/2012 2:24 PM >>> Keith, Thanks for the opportunity for input on this. From a practical standpoint, I have always considered that a west bound left turn lane would be a major benefit to those making the turn into the Senior and Community Center, as well as to the through traffic on Bethel. To build without this lane is asking for problems at this intersection. The primary users of this entry are senior citizens, an increasing percentage of whom struggle with eyesight, particularly at dawn and dusk. Opening this intersection somewhat and allowing additional roadway to maneuver seems appropriate. I am not certain as to the primary reason for your asking input, but the trees that are growing in close proximity to the roadway surface need to be removed for safety reasons whether or not the turn lane is installed. Although trees are beautiful and provide a number of benefits to the human condition including but not limited to social, environmental and economic benefits, one must consider the practical aspects of where specific trees are located when determining their fate as relates to nearby development. Leaving these trees in place would be irresponsible as they inhibit unobstructed views of the roadway and oncoming traffic while attempting to exit the drive at the Senior and Community Center; and limit visibility into the site as would-be visitors to the facility cruise by their turn without seeing the entry until they are perpendicular to where the turn should have been made. I have received a number of complaints from users about this condition. There are plentiful trees very near where the trees in question are located and the removal of these few trees will have no negative impact on the forest, the traveler's experience or the neighbor's screening from the nearby public improvements. Conversely, the negative impacts of leaving these trees in place after the roadway is improved are many. It would be more desirable to have additional lighting in and around this intersection, further enhancing visibility, than to leave these few trees, thereby reducing light and visibility of the improved roadway. Just my 2 cents. Thanks again. Brad >>> Keith Marvin 5/4/2012 9:02 AM >>> Gentlemen, We are in the process of designing the remaining piece of Bethel Road. The attached sketch shows two options at the entrance to the Grapevine Springs Community Center. One option includes a left turn bay for westbound traffic to turn into the driveway, and the option does not. The possibility exists that some of the trees could be saved if we do not build the turn bay. Please review these sketches and let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Keith Keith Marvin, P.E. Project Engineer (972) 304-3681 >>> Caleb Thornhill <bct@freese.com <mailto:bct@freese.com> > 5/3/2012 3:33 PM >>> Keith, Attached are two layouts with and without the turn lanes. We appear to save approximately 5 trees if we do not add the turn lanes. The trees we show being “saved” will still be close to construction and will likely be impacted. But, with Alternative #1, we have the option to try and save them if desired. Take a look and then let’s discuss. B. Caleb Thornhill P.E. Project Manager Freese and Nichols, Inc. <http://www.freese.com/> * Main: 214-217-2200 * Direct: 214-217-2282 * Fax: 214-920-2565 * Email: bct@freese.com <mailto:bct@freese.com> www.freese.com <http://www.freese.com> Please consider the environment before printing this message. ________________________________ This electronic mail message is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This message, together with any attachment, may contain the sender's organization's confidential and privileged information. The recipient is hereby notified to treat the information as confidential and privileged and to not disclose or use the information except as authorized by sender's organization. Any unauthorized review, printing, retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this message in error, please immediately contact the sender by reply email and delete all copies of the material from any computer. Thank you for your cooperation.