Stoneleigh 1P/PP-CS 970109Brad Kamstedtl
January 9, 1997
Tom Morton
Mayor
City of Coppell
P. O. Box 478
Coppell, TX 75019
Dear Mr. Morton;
Brad & Connie Kamstedt
1508 Kingsmill Court
Coppell, TX 75019 ~<~,~
972-304-8868
We live in the Fairways on Riverchase. Prior to moving here, we lived in Northlake
Woodlands for over seven years. We are very concerned over the way new building is
going in our city. We moved here because Coppell did not have block after block of strip
malls and our reverse commutes would be 10 minutes or less. We felt Coppell was going
to be a community of neighborhoods not subdivisions and apartments.
Now it can and usually does take our previous total commute time of ten minutes to get
on either MacArthur or Sandy Lake to basically begin our commute to work. This is due
to the traffic on MacArthur.
Riverchase is used as a shortcut to get to Sandy Lake Road from MacArthur. The
minimum speed of these drivers is 40 and it is not unusual to experience speeds up to 50
or 60. If you are doing the speed limit of 30, you soon have one of these shortcutters in
your trunk. We normally pull over to the right and they speed by as if we are the ones in
the wrong.
We, also, walk and mn on that street and as you know there is not a sidewalk in places.
We walk against traffic and live in fear the driver coming around a curve will swing too
wide. We have had several close calls.
The problems on Riverchase will only increase during the planned expansion of Sandy
Lake Road. We believe the floods show that once a driver finds an alternative ronte
many continue to use the altemative route once the reason for detour is over. If this holds
true, Riverchase will soon join MacArthur in terms of congestion on an ongoing basis.
Given the congestion and dangers we are already experiencing, the new apartment
complex planned for Riverchase has us very concerned. We have two routes to the main
roads on either side of us. Both have a stopsign and both are difficult if not impossible at
which to make a left mm. The new complex will add a minimum of 360 cars to this
already untenable situation. We pay taxes to have the professionals preserve the
personality of our city and lead us successfully in our growth.
We do not see the vision that is supposed to keep traffic flowing and pedestrians, bike
riders and rollerbladers safe with the approval of this project. We have not heard of one
proposal to address the existing problems we have outlined above. We strongly protest
the start of this project and any approval of the second mega-apartment complex for this
area.
Our understanding, at the time we purchased our property, was that Fairway Drive would
be completed to Beltline. If Fairway drive was completed as platted with a traffic light,
at least we would have a fighting chance to get on a main thoroughfare in a reasonable
amount of time. We have been told that the apartment developer would build part of the
Fairway Drive but that a right-of-way from Dart is necessary for completion to Beltline.
Our understanding is that the city must obtain the right-of-way and we have heard of no
concrete plans to do so.
In addition, we are aware that all of the developers have made significant contributions
to the general Parks and Recreation fund and that no parks are slated for our
neighborhood. Does this seem fair to you? Some of that money should stay in our area.
We need parks within safe walking and biking distance for the children. Beltline and
Sandy Lake Road are very dangerous to cross. Thought needs to be given on how to
provide safe play areas for this neighborhood. This is just another part of planning for
successful growth of our city.
We feel the city should provide another outlet for the residents of this area prior to any
additional multi-housing projects being constructed, including the Stoneleigh at
Riverchase. In addition, a plan for safe accessible park and play areas should be adopted.
Please remember how we the people who will be affected by these actions feel and your
responsibility to ensure successful growth for all of Coppell, including Riverchase.
Sincerely,
Brad and Connie Karnstedt