Stoneleigh 1P/PP-CS 970111Kathryn Stephenson
¢oppell, TX; 750]g ........................
January 11, 1,~97
City of Coppell ,, CIT'~ 'M~,NAGER
PO Box 478 i CiTY OF COPPEI..L [
Coppell, TX 75019
Dear Mr. Morton
I understand this week the Coppell City Council will consider allowing development of
one of two large apartment complexes in the Riverchase area. As a resident in the area, I
am very concerned that the proposed development, while legal, is highly dangerous and
should not be approved until the proper infrastructure is in place to operate it safely.
I am referring to the proposed Stoneleigh at Riverchase apartments off of Riverchase Dr.
near MacArthur Blvd. ffyou do not regularly drive down Riverchase or MacArthur in the
morning or evening, you may not know that there is regularly substantial traffic congestion
causing accidents and near-accidents on a regular basis. The most recent accident I
observed was Friday 1/11/97.
I am sure you are aware of what a major thoroughfare MacArthur Blvd. is, not only for
Coppell citizens but for those in surrounding communities as well. Even without this
proposed development, driving from Riverchase Dr. onto MacArthur in the morning or
evening is truly a risky proposition. I understand the City has considered, but determined
not to proceed, with a stoplight at that intersection because of the light a few yards up at
Beltline, and potentially another needed at the Wendy's on MacArthur, very soon.
City planners intend to relieve this traffic congestion with construction of the proposed
Fairways Drive going from Riverchase Dr. to Beltline Rd. This makes sense. Evidently
though, even though the Stoneleigh at Riverchase developer has offered to construct
Fairway Drive, there is considerable skepticism about how quickly use of it might happen,
given that Coppell doesn't have right-of-way over the railroad tracks. DART does (with
no intention to use it in the near term). The City does not sound confident fight-of-way
will happen without a battle.
Cfiven this, it is inconceivable that the City could approve another estimated 700
automobiles originating on Riverchase Drive directed to MacArthur Blvd. Until the
Fairways right-of-way is assured, we simply cannot add to what is already a dangerous
situation. Despite the developer's generous offer to build Fairways, it is useless to
everyone until the right-of-way is installed.
The proposal you will be given is unsafe today. However, recognize that by the time it is
constructed, this proposal will become far more dangerous. Soon, Riverchase Dr. will
carry more traffic as an alternate route during the planned expansion of Sandy Lake Rd.
More importantly though, within two years there will be numerous school children riding
bikes or walking to the middle school C-FBISD will construct soon, just inside Valley
Ranch (on MacArthur south of Tom Thumb). Because Riverehase is within 2 miles of this
middle school, no bus service will be available for the 75-100 southeast Coppell students
projected for this school. Many are likely to need to fide bikes (often in the dark) through
the dangerous Riverehase/MacArthur/Beltline intersections to attend school and other
activities. Another 700 ears without planned fight-of-ways is not needed to make this
situation very, very dangerous.
While I commend other aspects Stoneleigh at Riverchase developer's plans, I implore you
not to allow them to proceed with them until appropriate infrastructure is available in the
area. ffthis means delaying approval until DART and the City work out right-of-way,
then so be it. A slight development delay is far more appealing than losing lives or injuring
one or more city residents due to completely foreseeable, unsafe streets.
Please, put public safety at the top of your considerations in this issue.