HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-15 Michael Swenson
Charlene Way
From:MICHAEL SWENSON Owner <frontierman99@centurylink.net>
Sent:Friday, May 15, 2020 2:01 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Against proposed developement on Waltman lane
Attachments:Waltman argument.docx
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
The following is my submission against the proposed apartments of Waltman Lane
I have to write as an interested citizen and not representing my community of West Waltman Lane because of
Covid restrictions. When this intersection was initially planned, it was for stores and people would come and
go.
I fear we will have an enormous amount of traffic coming through an intersection that really wasn’t designed
for this. Planners from the last meeting said only a limited amount coming from the subdivision. Human
nature says we can miss all those signals on Franklin and South Meridian Road and just have the one on
Waltman (which they would have had to stop at either way)
Here’s the problem. Our left hand turn lane onto Waltman from Meridian Road is a very narrow little road
which will only hold 6 to 8 cars. At best, it will let 2 cars through on a left turn. People have been frustrated
and have taken ways to get around it. They’ll probably run the light causing accidents and massive traffic tie-
ups for everyone. Add to this there are the thousand residences you will be putting in there.
There is talk about putting in a three lane road with one sidewalk. I don’t know of any major portal that has
only one sidewalk. Of course, Waltman is an old road built by Mr. Waltman himself. I doubt if anyone had any
vision that this would be a major thoroughfare like you are proposing. I doubt if there would be room for
sidewalks on both sides.
There are only two lanes of access to Waltman lane. One is a right turn lane off of South Meridian Road and
the other a left hand turn lane taking cars off of main street and leaving the freeway. There are four lanes
leaving—two of which go north to City Center, which few will use. This needs major reengineering.
Also there are another 28 acres of businesses still slated for approval on the other side of the Waltman. This
will further traffic concerns.
At the very least, you need to block subdivision access as a major through street. Perhaps, you could put in an
emergency vehicle access road only. That what was supposed to be what was at the end of Waltman Lane.
Probably Corporate could have had one too with a little better planning.
Poor planning on the city side shouldn’t constitute an emergency for everyone else in the whole town.
Speaking of an unwarranted emergencies, we are having a gathering still in the Covid crisis, which precludes
large gatherings of people. Some of us might not risk going if it means possible death.
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Money is involved. It is in any big decision. Is this the right decision, made for the right reason?
Mike Swenson 815 West Waltman Lane
208887-3736
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