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| Daniel O'Connell | 5/11/2011 7:36:01 AM |
| I live near the proposed South Anchorage High School football and baseball complex and am very supportive of this going through. It will be an asset to the local community and shows support to our youth, especially during the continuing decline of youth fitness and increase in obesity that is well documented. I was in the neighborhood when South High was being built and lived through the opposition to that. Now, just about everyone is a user and a supporter despite some of them having pulled up survey stakes back in the day (yes, I remember that). The idea that facilities should be built such that people can only drive to them is contrary to modern planning and good common sense. Walkable public facilities are what we need and once built, 99% of the people use and love them. thanks! | |
| Brent Williams | 5/9/2011 11:17:18 AM |
| I live a stone's throw from the athletic fields and oppose the development of the baseball and football stadiums. There are too many questions not addressed, including but not limited to, who uses them, scheduling, noise and light pollution, parking, and an inadequate buffering zone that still is yet to be completed as made into law by AO 2001-1 on January 9, 2001. Sincerely, Brent L. Williams | |
| Brian Tuminello | 5/8/2011 4:17:26 PM |
| I live in the Turnagain View Estates subdivision and want to express my strong opposition to the site plan amendment to the South High School baseball and football facilities. This expansion would have a significant impact on our safe, family oriented neighborhood. The scale and scope of this proposed expansion are not appropriate so close to a residential neighborhood. There are other areas more appropriate for such a development including the area near Klatt Road. | |
| Michael Poston | 5/6/2011 8:10:45 PM |
| My neighbor brought this project to my attention. I am very concerned about how this would impact my neighborhood. How can I see a copy of the proposed plan. | |
| H David Carle | 5/6/2011 2:34:45 PM |
| I live adjacent to this site. I am 100% opposed to amending the site plan as proposed. I already have issues with unwanted traffic to the Akula Drive gate, with noise from the current facilities in the summer & liter. When the school was built we were assured that the field installed would only be used for practice. I do not want a Football Stadium adding more noise, parking issues and liter. To me it is just not the place to have one considering the nature of the surrounding residential area. Why in the heck are these efforts not being applied to the South Anchorage Sports Complex where this would be appropriate? | |
| Richard Melms | 5/6/2011 1:40:53 PM |
| As a neighbor of SAHS I have been pleased with their addition to the area in most respects. There are some areas that need improvement, most notably, the PA system. I hear most every bell that rings, most all the announcements that are made, etc because of the speakers that are located on the light poles in the parking lots and the exterior of the building. The school district claims that they have "mitigated" this and other concerns but the proof is in the daily experiences of those of us who live in the surrounding area. I have no problem with SAHS using the playing fields for their own practice facility. I have no problem with the practice fields being upgraded with the addition of "astroturf" or higher quality "Safeco" dirt to grow better grass. I am adamantly opposed to these areas being open to other organized sports or public activities not directly related to SAHS daily operations. I am also opposed to the addition of lighting, PA systems, announcing booths, concession stands, fencing, or scoreboards not necessary to High School practice field activities. This is not to say that the public cannot access the fields and use them for their personal activities. On the contrary, these open areas have been used by individuals from the outset and I applaud that use. I was amazed when the 6' high fence went up around the baseball field thereby effectively cutting off other persons ability to access that field for any other purpose. Mulcahy Field, the Anch Football Stadium, new facilities developed at Klatt and C street, ball fields on Elmore Rd at Martin Luther King Blvd, the ballfields at Elmore and Covington Rd, and the playing fields underdevelopment at Kincaid Park are just a few of the locations now available for school and public events that exist at this time. I will attend the meeting on May 11. Thank you, Rich Melms | |
| Alex Slivka | 5/5/2011 12:08:49 AM |
| Thank you for the opportunity to have an open public hearing on the issues. I have detailed below point by point response to the application, 1. First, we ask that the UDC please separate review of the two projects into “baseball” and “football”. While some detail is provided for the baseball project , there is not enough information presented for the commission to assess the probable impact that the “football” project would have on the surrounding area, nor for the neighborhood to provide a realistic response. We ask that the “football” request be postponed for 120 days with the understanding that they can amend their application when additional detail is provided. Landscaping Review Standards 2. Baseball; documentation: no detailed traffic, noise, and economic impact is provided, beyond representations that “that no external impacts expected”. We ask that, at a minimum, the applicant provide detailed plan for how the impact of “other users besides Am. Legion baseball” will be dealt with. Specifically, it is highly probable that the close proximity of the Leyden Road pedestrian entrance to the baseball field will dramatically increase on street parking and traffic in a quiet residential area that already struggles to get ASD to address the increased parking and student traffic. 3. Football; the statement that varsity football games where 1600 people may attend will have “no external impact” is not believable, and should demand substantial detail as to how the traffic, noise, and environmental impacts will be addressed. 4. “Existing tree buffer screens both activities” is a complete misrepresentation of the dramatically diminished nature of the buffer yards. Please see attached pictures. Prior requests to improve the visual screening of the buffer yards have been refused by ASD. We have had to formally request that the Planning Department review current compliance with the Special Limitations detailed in AO 2001-1. 5. Public Facility Standards: no explanation is provided regarding consistency with the Hillside District Plan, nor any detail of the effects of the proposal on the area surrounding the site. The commercial nature of both proposed projects (where rental fees will be charged to users) is completely contrary to the Hillside District Plan, where nothing commercial is contemplated east of Lake Otis. 6. Special Limitations Standards. This site is governed by AO 2001-1 as referred from Huffman O’Malley Community Council Case 2000-117 which details Special Limitations. The application provides no detailed explanation of how the proposed changes will comply with the Special Limitations, nor any detail of the effects on the surrounding area. On this item alone the application should be postponed in its entirety with the direction that they file a more complete application in the future. General Site Review Standards 1. Traffic; a traffic study has not been done to assess the impact a 1600 seat football stadium would have on the surrounding area. Again, you only need look at the neighborhood streets during a varsity football game and Dimond Stadium to understand that normal daytime school use does not equate to afterschool events. We even see extensive neighborhood parking for school meetings of 500 people, most recently the week of April 25, 2011. 2. Demand for Public Facilities; the explanation provided is not responsive; completion of a football stadium will dramatically increase activity on the site; a detailed explanation of how this will not have a permanent negative impact is not provided. 3. Noise and other forms of environmental pollution; to characterize the sound of 1600 football fans as “minimal” is inaccurate. To characterize 1600 people as “small capacities of people” is inaccurate. A study of the noise levels experienced at a varsity football game needs to be conducted by an impartial entity. ASD has already conceded that more than 4 home games will be held at this facility; that it will be rented continuously from April to October to help defray the cost of the improvements. It should be noted that the Dimond Football Stadium has a 15 – 20 foot tall berm installed between their field and adjoining homes. We see no provision for a similar feature in this application. 4. Compatible development Standards; no answer provided, we maintain that development of a football stadium is a commercial venture of a scale that far exceeds that contemplated by the Hillside Development Plan. Clarification points in Amendment to Site Plan Review request Planning and Design Criteria a. To characterize the external impacts of a football stadium that seats 1600 people on homes less than 150 feet away as “none” is not accurate. One has only to look at the impact that the Dimond Football Stadium has had on the surrounding neighborhood; parked cars jammed into the surrounding neighborhood, extensive garbage that is left to the homeowners to clean up, a noise level well in excess of 110 decibels, and minimal visual screening. b. Existing tree buffer will not screen the proposed additions. The ASD has consistently refused to replace vegetation as directed by the Special Limitations detailed in AO 2001-1. Comments on Narrative dated February 2011 First and foremost; postponement of the Site Plan Application at this meeting will have a minimal impact on the school. The baseball field is usable today, and the artificial turf installation is already scheduled to proceed. Requiring the applicant of Site Plan Review to comply with the standards detailed above will allow the commission, the neighborhood, and the ball field supporters to accurately judge the proposals. Specific items: A. Seating (page 4), describes the addition of fill to create a level pad. This grade has been specifically engineered in this area as part of a catch basin to retain water runoff. This was needed due to substantial damage to neighborhood homes in 2005-6 from the original design. At a minimum, applicants should provide a revised engineering study to confirm that surrounding homes do not again suffer water damage. F. Scoreboard will be clearly visible from surrounding homes; the existing buffer does not provide adequate screening. The lack of screening is directly due to ASD’s reluctance to comply with the Special Limitations detailed in AO 2001-1 Potential Off-Site Impacts A. Parking; we need only look at the Dimond Football Stadium, where neighborhood street parking is the rule, to understand that a daytime traffic impact study done over 5 years ago is insufficient. B. The Noise of 1600 football fans will impact the surrounding neighborhood. ASD has consistently ignored compliance with the Municipal Noise Ordinance. Even after filing a formal complaint to halt the daily violations; they held a track meet on April 23rd where noise levels were so high that a police report had to be filed to notice the violation. Community Council/Neighborhood Notice It should be noted that this application was filed the day before the Huffman O’Malley Community Council meeting, and that the Community Council was compelled to hold a second hearing on this application so that concerned neighbors could voice their opinion. At that March 31, 2011 meeting the HOCC did not support the “football” component, and the “baseball” component received conditional endorsement pending resolution of the conditions noted above. The hearing on May 11 will be the first true opportunity for all opinions to be heard. Again, our response is based on what we view as an incomplete and inaccurate application. We respectfully ask that the Urban Design Commission postpone consideration of this application for 120 days, and instruct the supporters to provide a more detailed proposal that is responsive to the specific requirements of Special Limitations. | |
| alec valdez | 5/4/2011 9:47:45 PM |
| I am a freshman at South High School and a rising varsity football player as well as a baseball player on JV. I live right next to the school and within walking distance of the football and baseball facilities. My parents bought this lot and built our house so we could be so close to the school. Someone left a note on our mailbox telling us why we should not allow the stadiums. It is crazy in that Dimond can have one and we can't. They have a large advantage over us. South athletes should have the right to have decent game facilities and a home field. If you strongly can't allow this to be put in you can always move away. I have many friends that can't make it to games to support our school due to the fact that they can't get a ride to AFS (Anchorage football stadium). The nerve of someone (Alex Slivka) to hand out these papers in a neighborhood that is dominated by parents of kids who go to South and/or will soon be students there is crazy. The sports at South keep kids out of trouble and teach life lessons that will stay with them all of their lives. I really hope that the end vote is for these stadiums to be passed as planned !!! | |
| Nicole Branch | 5/4/2011 6:53:51 AM |
| As a resident within the area in question, I fully support the changes being made at SAHS. Anchorage has wonderful opportunities for children and adults alike, and this is just another opportunity for Anchorage as a whole to excel in supporting it's youth. I understand the grievances of the surrounding homeowner's association (s), as I have been the recipient of their paper attack , and there are ways for the HOA's to control parking, etc. within its vicinity. Parking stickers identifying homeowner's vehicles parked on the side of the road. Those vehciles not displaying parking stickers will be towed at owner's expense. A sign clearly indicating this at the entrance to the subdivision would encourage parking elsewhere. There are many other options the HOA's can explore other than stating with absolute certainty that this change is NOT welcome. We need to embrace this opportunity to support our youth and be encouraged in our efforts to embrace them and their future. | |
| James Buchanan | 5/3/2011 7:01:59 PM |
| It is the position of the undersigned that the proposed construction of athletic stadiums at South Anchorage High School should be denied. The scale and scope of the proposed facilities are neither reasonable nor appropriate given their proximity to the surrounding residential neighborhood. They possibly violate the intent of the Hillside District Plan, which became law in January of this year. We strongly urge the Urban Design Commission to direct the Anchorage School District (ASD) and their supporters to apply their efforts towards the development of a South Anchorage Sports Park, in the area around Klatt Road. It would be a facility available for all students in a location where there are no close neighbors to suffer the impacts of noise, light, parking, and litter. We are opposed to the proposed sports stadiums because the frequency of outdoor athletic events held at South High will increase over existing levels, along with a greater number of spectators and participants, particularly for varsity contests. During the early planning stages of South High, meetings with ASD representatives left homeowners with the impression that these fields would be practice fields only. The number of athletic contests hosted by South will increase over existing levels. Events that are now held off campus will be relocated to the proposed stadiums; including varsity football, and soccer and baseball games at both the junior varsity and varsity levels. The sports facilities can be rented out for non-South High usage, including possible use by other Anchorage area schools and various city recreational leagues. In the near term, issues with the downtown Anchorage Football Stadium may only serve to incentivize the ASD to schedule events at other venues. Heavy usage of the proposed sports facilities could take place for several hours a day, a number of times each week, beginning in late April and continuing through early October. With the proposed stadiums, there will be an increase in the number of spectators and participants at the athletic events held at South High, which will only magnify existing problems such as noise, parking, and litter. At a March 21, 2011 meeting with residents of the surrounding neighborhood, South High Principal Kersten Johnson-Struempler estimated attendance at varsity football games could be as large as 1,500 to 2,000 people. Since the opening of South High, noise levels from various outdoor activities can clearly by heard indoors at surrounding homes and there is street parking at numerous school events. Past efforts to work with the ASD and South High to resolve existing concerns have met with mixed results, and do not instill confidence that any assurances being offered regarding the proposed stadiums will be kept. For these reason, we the undersigned, oppose the proposed South High sports stadiums. James & Ruth Buchanan | |
| Mike and Nancy Koropp | 5/3/2011 5:46:47 PM |
| We strongly oppose the proposed "improvements" that ASD as slated for the SAHS sport fields. Already we hear EVERY morning the school public address system and the school bells from our home which is approximately 200 yards away. Every time there is a sport event, that too disturbs the otherwise peaceful nature of our neighborhood. There is no doubt that the proposed improvements will have a negative impact on our neighborhood and quality of life. Please respect our and the neighborhoods privacy by NOT approving these improvements. Thank you for you time. | |
| Dani Fletcher | 4/29/2011 8:30:31 PM |
| As a SAHS parent and homeowner living adjacent to the fields, I have serious concerns about these improvements. Interestingly, I was not concerned about this until the meeting we had with Kersten Johnson. The idea of a few home varsity games is great and we look forward to cheering on our Wolverines. However, Ms. Johnson brought to my attention that the School District is planning to stop using AFS as soon as possible so, when our field is ready, other schools will be using it, too. It will also be made available for community athletic teams to use. The Booster Clubs own emails encourage Pop Warner, Boys and Girls Club, and Rush Soccer teams to support the developments. Because of the financial benefits to ASD of not using AFS and of renting the facility out to other groups, I see this field being very busy, much busier than the South Varsity football team alone would keep it. The impact on our neighborhood is much, much greater than the Football Boosters have portrayed. Thus far, the School District has not proven to be a very responsive neighbor and once things have gone their way, the concerns of the homeowners have been ignored. If some written, enforceable guarantees on use being limited to South High teams, I would once again wholeheartedly support this development. | |
| Kersten Johnson-Struempler SAHS Principal | 4/5/2011 2:14:00 PM |
| Greetings, My name is Kersten Johnson-Struempler, Principal at South Anchorage High School. I am writing in support of this application. The South Anchorage High School community at large is ecstatic about the improvements to their athletic facilities that are taking place this summer. Many of the homeowners in the community have expressed this to me personally and have dedicated hundreds of hours of volunteer time to making these improvements possible. Now that the installation of artificial turf and baseball facilities are taking place this summer, the SAHS community would like to move forward in creating a “home” field through this application so we are able to host varsity soccer, football, and baseball games on the South Anchorage High School campus. The creation of stadium facilities (i.e. bleachers, scoreboard, etc) around both our artificial turf and baseball field and the ability for our student-athletes to play at their own school is extremely vital for our students at SAHS. It gives them a sense of pride in their school and community, motivation to perform better in the classroom, and keeps them participating in healthy activities. All of these results benefit not only students personally but the entire community of Anchorage. Additionally, the impact on our school community is tremendous. The ability for SAHS to host outdoor home games on our own campus would create a sense of pride among all students not just our athletes. These facilities also improve our instructional space for our students in physical education classes. All of these points translate positively to the community of Anchorage in that we have teenagers who are connected, involved positively, and participating in healthy activities. The improved facilities at SAHS also benefit many of the immediate neighbors and community members. Not only do neighbors have access to these facilities for use but having these facilities in South Anchorage will also provide opportunities for athletes of all ages to have a safe and modern facility close to their home to compete and practice on. This is a win-win for SAHS and our larger community of South Anchorage. Lastly, I would like to address some of the concerns brought forward about this application. There are pitfalls and important issues to address in regards to creating stadium facilities in a residential neighborhood area. I recognize and understand these completely. As the principal, I believe that we can work as a community to come up with positive solutions for all. I am committed to making this happen. To date, I have already solved and addressed some of the issues brought forward by our neighbors and am currently working to address others. You have my commitment that I will always be willing to listen, problem-solve and be available to work through issues as they arise. The overall goal of these improved facilities is to provide a positive school experience for SAHS students and for the community to have modern, safe, and accessible facilities. SAHS and the community appreciate your support when we have such a fantastic opportunity to support our youth as presented in this application. They are our community’s most valuable resource. | |
| Patti Hanley | 4/1/2011 5:48:24 PM |
| I am writing in support of the athletic fields at South High School. Completion of the proposed improvements will provide safe and nearby recreational facilities for student athletes and neighborhood families to use. I do feel we need to address the concerns of the adjacent neighbors but believe they can be resolved in a timely manner while continuing to focus on the completion of these projects. Home fields add to a feeling of school pride and a sense of community that both teams and neighborhoods can enjoy. | |
| Don Enslow | 4/1/2011 9:56:50 AM |
| Having these facilities at South High is a very positive impact. Good facilities are lacking around town. Adds value to the school. Some may think that the sports facilities may devalue the real state ; however, most realtors will advise folks with families that buyers want to both live near a good school complete with on-site sports facilities. Most parents would rather have their child on school grounds participating in sports verses hanging around one of the local malls. | |
| martha enslow | 4/1/2011 9:36:37 AM |
| I am in FAVOR of the SAHS fields. The facilities will give everyone a great place to enjoy sports. There is a stong need to get the youth active, off the couch. Instead of being inside watching ESPN they can be be outside playing the game. A positive experience for all. | |
| Felila Afualo | 3/31/2011 11:50:37 PM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South High School. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are over old issues with the school district, and they are not really specifically related to the facility improvements. I believe that the complaints that really are related, like potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects. I have three children attend South High and they are all involve in sport activities, the two boys play football and my daughter plays basketball and flag football, our eldest graduated in 2009 so the two still attending South and it's healthy for our children to get them involve in sports so they don't have to sit around the house and play computer games or watch TV and especially get into trouble with their friends. As you all know there's so many youth are involve in crimes and filled up the jail facility in our State. Please allow this to move forward as it benefit the youth plus Alaska State has the longest winter and very short summer so let's have something positive for our children to look forward to around their neighborhood after the long winter so they stay focus on better things for their future and especially stay positive and feel better to get involve in sports. I hope you would take this in consideration and make your decision based on what's best for our youth with their moral, self esteem, positive altitude and respect as the world has more negative influences to our youth everyday than ever before. Thank you | |
| Turnagain View Estates Homeowners Association | 3/31/2011 8:38:47 AM |
| TO: Urban Design Commission FROM: Turnagain View Estates Homeowners Association (TVEHA) RE: Case 2011-036 South High We represent the 160 homes that directly border the South High athletic fields that are the subject of this case. We are asking that this case be removed from the consent agenda, and a hearing with public comment be scheduled. Our concerns: 1. This project has been under development by the school staff, and parent supporters for several years. During this time, they did not once attempt to engage our homeowners nor our association, even though the Principal of South High had received direct communication from the President of the TVEHA over 6 months ago regarding a graffiti incident in our neighborhood, and one of the supporters (who also happens to work in the planning department) had direct conversations with the President of the TVEHA for more than a year regarding the installation of a bike path in our neighborhood. 2. We only learned of their planned presentation to the Huffman O’Malley Community Council via a flyer that was left on our front doors 3 days before the meeting; hardly what could be considered adequate public notice. It was only through the subsequent direct contact by the HOCC that we learned of their representations that “there was no opposition from the surrounding homes”, and that “there was not an active homeowners association in the area”. These statements are both incorrect. 3. The major concerns expressed by our homeowners are the increased level of noise and vehicular traffic that would result from the dramatic increase in use planned by the High School, specifically the scheduling of Varsity Football Games during the evening. 4. The High School already consistently violates the existing Anchorage Noise Ordinance, and has ignored letters to correct this problem. The TVEHA has been forced to file a formal complaint with the Dept. of Health and Human Services with the hope that they may be able to compel the South High staff to comply with the Noise Ordinance. This does not give us much comfort that they would abide by verbal promises to comply once additional amplified PA are installed on the ball fields, even closer to our neighborhood. 5. While our homeowners association has been supportive of the South High School, we have been repeatedly disappointed by their actions in relation to verbal promises. Specifically; drainage that was promised to be sufficient turned out to be woefully inadequate, resulting in substantial water damage to surrounding homes 5 years ago. The corrective work resulted in a portion of the vegetative buffer being removed. 40 foot tall trees were replaced with 3 foot tall trees, while the school was busy planting 20 foot trees next to the school for “decorative” purposes. Verbal promises during the design phase to steer school traffic off an AWWU easement that directly abuts our neighborhood are routinely ignored by practicing athletic teams. In conclusion; our association has never had the opportunity to present our concerns, not to the Huffman O’Malley Community Council, and not to the UDC should this case remain on the consent agenda. Your failure to allow us an opportunity to present our concerns would mean that the school and the supporters of these changes to the facility would have completely suborned any public process; the principal even stated; “I have no obligation to talk to you, I just have to talk to the Community Council”; not the best way to get along with your neighbors. | |
| Jackie Morrison | 3/30/2011 3:05:30 PM |
| Please schedule a public hearing on case 2011-036. Something that impacts such a large group of people/homes needs a public hearing. | |
| Leverette Hoover | 3/30/2011 1:14:48 PM |
| It is unfortunate that I will not be available to attend the public hearing due to business, as I would have enjoyed the opportunity to meet with HOCC and residents of TVEA to hear their concerns and suggestions. We have a great opportunity to make something special out of this project, not only for the high school kids, but families that live in the surrounding area as well. This complex will promote teaming and sportsmanship for our youth, while creating opportunities for all in the community to join together and support the area we are so proud to call South Anchorage our home. I do agree that we need to address the concerns and work as a community to resolve these. But, considerable focus needs to be on what is best for our children and the community, while keeping this project on schedule. There should be no issues that can't be resolved with level thinking and common sense. Let's grow and expand our community and make it into something we can all be proud of. Please utilize these comments as my approval for the work to move forward with the Sports Complex at South Anchorage High School. My Wife Jackie and I live in TVEA, thus giving us the right to express our approval for this project and to be heard. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to give me a call. Respectfully, Leverette G. Hoover | |
| David Duke | 3/29/2011 9:23:37 AM |
| I fully support the baseball facility at South Anchorage High. I have a daughter at South and have had 3 daughters previously in other schools in the area in the past and have visited every school in the district and see a very clear need for sports facilities at South. I feel it is behind the other schools. | |
| Jessica Koeser | 3/28/2011 9:18:45 PM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete,and a homewner in Turnagain View I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. In addition I feel that this would help keep kids from having to play all the way downtown where many are left unsupervised and in possibly dangerous situations. (fans included) More families could attend games as they wouldn't have to travel in traffic to the down town feilds in order to get there on time. | |
| Jan Verseput | 3/28/2011 11:01:33 AM |
| I have several concerns about SAHS's intention to upgrade their ballfields. Noise levels from outside events will be significant. Although there are limits set for PA systems, the crowd noise will impact neighborhoods. Since SAHS plans to seat 2000 in their football stadium, parking will be a problem and likely spill over into neighborhoods. SAHS says they have 616 parking spots and with 4 per vehicle they can provide parking for 2000. However, young/new drivers are limited to only family members in their vehicles. Therefore, it is likely that many vehicles will arrive with less than 4 people. Where will the overflow park? Thus security in neighborhoods will be impacted. Please permit a public hearing to address concerns of neighboring homeowners. | |
| Marc Bond | 3/27/2011 10:49:28 PM |
| Please support the installation of turf and associated improvements at South High. This will allow much improved recreation and competition athletics. I understand there has been some opposition from the neighborhood community council. Please understand that the neighbors thought the very construction of South High was a bad idea, and now it is used as a great recreational resource for walking or playing ball by the neighbors. I am certain that is how they will view the additional athletics and activities after they have been in operation. Thank you for your consideration. | |
| Cornelius Eastman | 3/27/2011 8:29:20 PM |
| Please schedule a public hearing on Case #2011-036, the proposed South Anchorage High School sports field expansion. I would appreciate the opportunity to hear and resolve concerns of neighbors surrounding the South Anchorage High School. | |
| Donna Duke | 3/27/2011 1:37:59 AM |
| Please allow this petition. This is a very deserving school. So much of the work having been done on the baseball field by parents and friends and students to remember Taylar Young. We are mostly homeowners and people that are involved in our community as well as our children's school. Many people that have children in this school are business owners and hard working people who would like and need to see this in our area of town. We spend so much time driving acroos town 13 miles for these events. Please help us. | |
| Brenda Crim | 3/26/2011 11:10:26 PM |
| Please go forward with more multi use trails in this area ! I use ski trails and skijoring trails daily in winter ! Anchorage is the greatest city in the USA because of our trail system. | |
| Charles Luddington | 3/26/2011 10:10:42 PM |
| Please include me as a supporter of the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Our kids are traveling to other high schools across town to play games and practice. This is a great investment that will serve the students of South well for many years. I believe that some of the complaints by close residents are old grievances that are not related to this project, like the potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects. | |
| Adrian Jaime | 3/26/2011 8:23:15 PM |
| I am a licensed Real Estate Professional in Anchorage. Additionally I live in the South High School District. I do not have high school age children. I feel that any additional athletic opportunities offered to Anchorage's youth will only benefit our community. I am highly in support of this. In my profession, I see individuals highly desiring the South High School Neighborhoods. I do not feel that any additional sports events would negatively impact neighborhood home values. | |
| Loree Jensen | 3/26/2011 9:58:03 AM |
| I am supportive of the football and baseball field improvement projects at South Anchorage High School. We need our own "Home Fields". I have two boys who participate in baseball and hosting a game on our own fields would be awesome. For being a new "State-of-the Art" high school, I am surprised that these fields weren't built when the school was. South doesn't even have a swimming pool which I think is a travesty. All the other high schools in town have either pools, fields and/or a track. Heck, even the middle schools have track fields. Why was South exempt from these outside sports facilities? | |
| Annette Funk | 3/25/2011 9:34:02 PM |
| The South High athletic facility committee has worked hard to design a facility to complement the new turf that ASD is installing. The proposed lighting will be designed to be directed away from the neighborhood homes, and the games will be scheduled to occur on Saturday afternoons to lessen impacts and disturbance to the neighborhood. The parking at the school already can handle all the attendees to the game. I support the athletic facility project as a community improvement that we can all be proud of. | |
| Fred Sura | 3/25/2011 8:07:17 PM |
| A public hearing is a must. | |
| Fred Sura | 3/25/2011 8:06:47 PM |
| A public hearing is a must. | |
| Kari Dupree | 3/25/2011 6:12:46 PM |
| As a parent of South High students and athletes as well as a South Anchorage community member,I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South High School. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are over old issues with the school district, and they are not specifically related to the facility improvements. I believe that the complaints that really are related, like potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South Anchorage High School, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects. Thank you for your time. Kari Dupree | |
| Jack Scroggs | 3/25/2011 4:49:21 PM |
| Build it and they will come...from malls, couches and fast-food retails to play and/or support the teams spirit. Our student goes to SAHS and does not play, but is athletic in Tae Kwon Do. I played in school and the good things I learned and achieved from coaches and team sports have been valuable. Alaska has sports talent available but needs venues to develop these younger athletes. And lest we are near sighted, a stadium is a key meeting place to gather and treat our people in/after a disaster. | |
| Vicki Lundgren | 3/25/2011 3:29:33 PM |
| I would like to show my support for the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth be active & supported in their sport successes. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Carol Jensen | 3/25/2011 2:17:26 PM |
| I am surprised to see comments from a handful of people stating they want a public hearing on this issue and pointing out consequences and problems for the neighbors of the school. Neighbors of the school are unanimously supportive of these ball fields. Almost half the people who asked for a public hearing DON'T EVEN LIVE IN THE AREA! For example two live in Sand Lake area, another lives near Rabbit Creek, another one near 88th and Abbott! From reading comments of those wanting a public hearing, it becomes obvious that all of them are writing from the same "script". They have been coached by someone and urged to send in comments. I hope the Commission will treat these "negative" comments appropriately, realizing that some are from people who don't live in or near the area and that they have been scripted and are perhaps commenting as a favor to a friend. | |
| Melanie Sugita | 3/25/2011 2:08:55 PM |
| I am in full support of the construction of a stadium at South Anchorage High School. I understand that some of the neighbors in the area surrounding South High School are concerned with potential disruptions that may occur as a result of the stadium location. As a coach and teacher at South High School I am confident that those in charge of the stadium scheduling will do absolutely everything possible to minimize any disturbances, including scheduling larger events during the day on Saturdays. Additionally, most of the events to be held at the stadium will be small in nature with only a few hundred people in attendance. When there are events where larger numbers of people will be in attendance the crowds, lights and noise level will be very closely monitored. The construction of a stadium will provide a great opportunity for the students at South High School to further connect with their community and the pride associated with a true home stadium is difficult to put into words. | |
| Kimberly Northup | 3/25/2011 12:37:16 PM |
| I am a resident of Turnagain View Estates and I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South Anchorage High School. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are over old issues with the school district, and they are not really specifically related to the facility improvements. I believe that the complaints that really are related, like potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects to both students and the homeowners in the area. Students will be far safer if they do not have to travel to other locations to practice on a daily basis. | |
| Diana Brinkman | 3/25/2011 9:53:28 AM |
| My family and I are in complete support of the South High field improvments. It is so important for the South area community to have this facility. It provides benefits for both the South High athletes as well as all the kids and families in the area. I look forward to groundbreaking on this project in May 2011 - please let the improvements start on time so the facility will be ready to use as scheduled. | |
| Claudia Russell | 3/25/2011 9:05:22 AM |
| I fully support the sports fields for South Anchorage High. Thse students deserve to have "home" fields. Our young people need healthy activities and having proper sports facilities in their own school is important. | |
| Cindy Young | 3/25/2011 8:53:18 AM |
| The football stadium at South Anchorage High School is desperately needed. There are not sufficient football stadiums in the municipality, there is space available there at no cost to the municipality. The infastructure, the initial groundwork, everything is in place. This needs to happen now! Please do not delay this project. My own children are nearly finished with high school and they don't play football, so this is not something our family has a vested interest in, but the community at large is benefited hugely by this new football stadium. It is a positive investment in our children and the future of Anchorage. | |
| Nancy Simel | 3/25/2011 8:31:41 AM |
| I support the improvements to the SAHS football/soccer and baseball fields. I believe that the project is well designed and will add substantial benefits to the community. SAHS should have a turf field as soon as possible. Please approve this project and get it built so that our children and the community can enjoy it. | |
| NANCY AND RICHARD OCHOA | 3/25/2011 7:41:21 AM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South High School. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are over old issues with the school district, and they are not really specifically related to the facility improvements. I believe that the complaints that really are related, like potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects. | |
| Mark Schroeder | 3/25/2011 7:04:13 AM |
| Several issues have recently come to light that may affect the surrounding neighborhoods. Citizen participation is important and there needs to be a way that all viewpoints can be expressed. Please hold a public hearing on this case so that any outstanding issues can be discussed and, hopefully, resolved. | |
| Lori Galloway | 3/24/2011 11:50:39 PM |
| I support the baseball & football sports facilities projects. There must be a way for both sides to come together quickly so the entire community can get behind it and benefit by its use. Playing sports helps our youth develop physically and mentally, teaches them self-discipline and helps to keep them busy and off the streets. Please get together and come up with a plan that works for the students and the entire community! | |
| Sherry Frazier | 3/24/2011 11:00:25 PM |
| I support the upgrades planned for the football and baseball fields. South High should have been built with a turf football field in the first place. Our children deserve to have a "home" field to play their games on. The pride and excitement that you feel when playing on your home field is like no other. Hopefully the projects will go as planned and this year when I hear South is "home" it means the athletes are playing on their own field at South High School. | |
| Charles Luddington | 3/24/2011 10:35:03 PM |
| Please include me as a supporter of the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Our kids are traveling to other high schools across town to play games and practice. This is a great investment that will serve the students of South well for many years. I believe that some of the complaints by close residents are old grievances that are not related to this project, like the potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects. | |
| John Isby | 3/24/2011 9:56:27 PM |
| I was at the Rabbit Creek Community Council meeting in February when this plan was presented to the community for comments. I think the plan has been well designed and thought out and will not detract from the surrounding area. It was very clear that the architect and administrators of the project were very concerned that they have a minimal impact on those living adjacent to the playing fields and I was convinced that this is possible. The benefit to the student athletes will be significant. The council voted unanimously to write a letter in support of the project. | |
| Mirta Olert | 3/24/2011 9:46:42 PM |
| I want to show my support for the South Anchorage High School Football, baseball, stadium project. We need to support projects like this for the children and youth of our community. This project will be a tremendous asset not only for South Anchorage but for all children, youth and members of our community. | |
| Peggy Cossaboom | 3/24/2011 9:20:35 PM |
| I support the South High School Athletic facility improvements. The committee has worked hard to design a facility to complement the new turf ASD is installing. It is time for South to have a home field they can be proud of. | |
| Roger Mechon | 3/24/2011 9:14:46 PM |
| Case #2011-036 should not be reviewed without an open public hearing. The petitioner has misrepresented numerous issues in this case including statements about having worked with the local homeowners. The homeowners that will be adversely affected must have the opportunity to state their side of the issues. We request that an open public hearing be arranged as a part of the review process prior to any further action on this case. | |
| Sharon Smith | 3/24/2011 8:15:07 PM |
| I strongly support the new Turf and stadium installation at South Anchorage High School. This installation is an important facility improvement needed for South Anchorage in order to improve the opportunites available for our student athletes and spectators. I am looking forward to groundbreaking this May. | |
| Ann Marie Valdez | 3/24/2011 5:47:43 PM |
| I am a homeowner whose property is located within 500 feet of the school property, and I support both South High facility improvement projects. My son plays both football and baseball and we have been looking forward to seeing him play on the South High fields since the school was built. While I understand there will be times where there is more traffic and probably more noise when there are events at the school, I believe the ability of a local school to hold such events is extremely important to youth and the community at large. The benefits gained by these improvements far outweigh any potential negative impacts, and I believe there are always workable solutions to any of those problems. | |
| Cat Laughlin | 3/24/2011 5:09:29 PM |
| There are issues raised here that demand a Public Hearing. Please schedule one and make this decision in the light of day instead of behind closed doors. Anything less is not what we want in our city. | |
| Jill Heinrich | 3/24/2011 5:06:17 PM |
| I support the South High School improvements to the Football facililty and fields! Please fund the South High School projects! | |
| Katie Nolan | 3/24/2011 4:59:45 PM |
| There comes a point in time where the “right” thing to do becomes obvious. It is obvious that an administrative hearing is not an appropriate solution for Case 2011-036. A Public Hearing on this matter must be called. Every issue needs to be addressed in a public forum, and a decision made only after Anchorage residents have a true opportunity to offer their opinion. At the very minimum, existing noise and light pollution issues, traffic, drainage problems, off-hours use must be addressed before turning this practice field into a stadium complex. Please hold a Public Hearing on this case. Thank you. | |
| Melissa Schmiedt | 3/24/2011 4:27:46 PM |
| As it seems this change has not had much public input and there are alot of concerns I feel it would be in the best interest of the city for this to be handled as a public hearing so that all concerns may be heard. The city has not held the school district or AWWU accountable for the original contract with regards to fences, buffers and noise issues I feel that just giving them whatever they ask for without proper procedure is not following rules that have been in place and are expected to be followed. | |
| Charlotte Davis | 3/24/2011 3:31:40 PM |
| I would like to put my support behind the baseball, football sports facilities. Taylar was my grandson and I know if he was here today, he would be very proud and excited to see this happening at his school. He played both sports and just loved being part of the team concept. Taylar and his brother came from Dutch Harbor so you can imagine their trepidation at attending a large school. But, at South High he felt a sense of that small community pride. Any problems that the surrounding residences have can and should be addressed. If we come together as that small community that Taylar was so happy to be a part of, the surrounding area will have a High School campus that is both beautiful and productive to have in their community. Sincerely, Charlotte Davis | |
| Jennifer Moore | 3/24/2011 3:16:01 PM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that are scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I believe this is one of the most important issues that can be supported. This facility will allow teams, athletes, students, staff and parents of SAHS to have a home field to be proud of. We need our youth to be involved, either as a part of these athletic teams or as a spectator and I strongly believe that this facility would allow families and students the chance to be personally involved with SAHS and support their school's teams. | |
| mike dennis | 3/24/2011 3:15:55 PM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South High School. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are over old issues with the school district, and they are not really specifically related to the facility improvements. I believe that the complaints that really are related, like potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects.I was closly involved with Dimond high and simular issues. The stadium at Dimond has been a great addition to the community and Souths will be the same for its community. | |
| Carol Sturgulewski | 3/24/2011 2:36:54 PM |
| While I am generally in support of this project, I hope a public hearing will be held to inform South Anchorage residents how issues such as traffic, lighting, etc. would be handled. Traffic is particularly an issue of concern. Our neighborhood is not immediately adjacent to South but we get a great deal of traffic that cuts through our subdivision on the way to and from school. However, we've had absolutely no information about the project at all. Please reach beyond the school population and immediate neighbors. | |
| Heidi Cook | 3/24/2011 1:17:01 PM |
| As a South High parent and President of the South High PTSO, I strongly support the South High athletic facility improvements including the turf installation. These facility improvements benefit the entire South Anchorage area. | |
| Raymond and Joan Eastlack | 3/24/2011 1:09:33 PM |
| We respectfully request that this case be opened for public review and comment so our legitimate concerns can be presented. Consider the following examples indicating a disconnect between the plans and the awareness of surrounding residents: • SAHS/ASD administrators and booster club members have been collaborating on the proposed facilities’ expansion for years, yet residents adjacent to the school property were notified only a few weeks ago via a single-page letter from SAHS’ principal, which was deposited on a limited number of driveways and doorsteps. • Remarks posted to this site conflict with details in the clubs’ application, so even supporters may be unaware of the radical scope of the proposal and its ultimate consequence to area homeowners. Those of us whose homes border the baseball and football fields are particularly vulnerable to a significant decline in peace and quiet. We need time to assess the plan details and implications to our environment. Please allow an opportunity for the quiet voices of those of us who will be directly and adversely impacted to be heard. Thank you. Sincerely, Ray and Joan Eastlack Turnagain View Estates Homeowners | |
| Dennis Young | 3/24/2011 1:02:48 PM |
| Dennis Young 2270 Innes Circle Having been born and raised in Anchorage I have a unique perspective towards the youth/high school athletic facilities and what they mean for the student athletes. I support building both the Football, Soccer, Track & Field facility and the Taylar Young Memorial Ballpark. The Anchorage bowl area has a serious need for high school sport facilities and there is no better place to provide these then within the designated areas already provided for by the Anchorage School District at the High School themselves. I understand the concerns of some from the adjacent neighborhoods regarding noise, light, traffic or refuse. I believe these are all issues that can be adequately dealt with by ASD, SAHS, and the accompanying Booster Clubs associated to the individual fields or events, as well as, the neighboring Homeowners Association working together. It was never the intention of the Baseball booster club to circumvent any public process or backdoor anything in to completion. The construction of this facility has been no secret from day one and we have received nothing, but positive feedback from the surrounding neighborhood members that use the bike paths adjacent to the school. We received permission and unanimous support from the Anchorage School District in October 2009 to build Taylar Young Memorial Ballpark and believed that this was all that was required. ASD is the owner of the land and that land area has already been approved for construction of the school which had areas designated for football, soccer, track and field, baseball, softball, hockey, tennis specifically at SAHS. We are only making improvements to the existing facilities for the student athletes, their families and the surrounding community to enjoy for years to come. Thank you for your time and consideration. DY | |
| Joan and Raymond Eastlack | 3/24/2011 12:59:08 PM |
| We respectfully request that this case be opened for public review and comment so our legitimate concerns can be presented. Consider the following examples indicating a disconnect between the plans and the awareness of surrounding residents: • SAHS/ASD administrators and booster club members have collaborated on the proposed facilities’ expansion for years, yet residents adjacent to school property were notified only a few weeks ago via a single-page letter from the principal of SAHS, which was dropped on a limited number of area driveways and doorsteps. • Remarks posted to this site conflict with details in the clubs’ application, so even supporters may be unaware of the radical scope of the proposal and its ultimate consequence to area homeowners. Those of us whose homes border the baseball and football fields are particularly vulnerable to a significant decline in peace and quiet. We need time to assess the plan details and implications to our environment. Please allow an opportunity for the quiet voices of those of us who will be most directly and adversely impacted to be heard. Thank you. Sincerely, Ray and Joan Eastlack Turnagain View Estates Homeowners | |
| Beth MacDowell | 3/24/2011 12:52:49 PM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of both a past and present South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of.South is one of the most used facilities in Anchorage, 24 - 7 there is someone running the track, walking the paths, using the fields. And not just students but the community,neighbors,future South students, community based sport teams, all make use of South High School. This facility will allow families and students to continue being involved at South with facilities that are safe and easy to maintain. The proposed lighting will be designed to be directed away from the neighborhood homes, and the games will be scheduled to occur on Saturday afternoons to lessen impacts and disturbance to the neighborhood. The parking at the school already can handle all the attendees to the game. I support the athletic facility project as a community improvement that is greatly needed. Thank you. | |
| Kim Ottum | 3/24/2011 11:01:14 AM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| carol kosinski | 3/24/2011 10:59:56 AM |
| Our family is another strong supporter of completing the South High turf. This has been a huge commitment and investment that is well-deserved by the athletes, students and school, for safety and community reasons. The committee has strived to address any concerns in an appropriate and timely manner and will continue to do so. It appears the recent request for a public hearing at this point may be more related to prior ASD issues than to this specific and important benefit to the South high school program that has been established for many years. Please consider the safety aspect of this much-needed field. Your continued positive support and understanding is crucial. Thank you. | |
| Gregory Monette | 3/24/2011 10:25:41 AM |
| The proposed ball fields may be a wonderful addition to South High School for the many reasons stated in the comments of support online. So why then is there so little empathy from those same commentors for the very real issues that the surrounding neighbors will be forced to deal with as a result of this addition/expansion. Those most negatively affected have a right to be heard and should be afforded an opportunity to voice their concerns before this addition/expansion is approved. Please hold a true and open PUBLIC HEARING on this case. | |
| Katherine Hicks | 3/24/2011 10:12:55 AM |
| Unfortunatly I have been unable to attend any meetings on this project. I am concerned about the cost of adding new facilities to a very new school. Why aren't these things planned in advance? What is the cost? I would join the many other people that are asking for a public hearing on this. | |
| Kristen Davis | 3/24/2011 9:21:28 AM |
| The South High Field Improvements will enhance the school, neighborhood, and school spirit! People talk about being a community, getting involved; well the students at south, parents, and baseball, and football community have done just that! They have fundraised, applied for grants, volunteered their own time, to make these field improvements come about. This has TRULY been a community effort. I am proud to be associated with the entire south comunity. | |
| Sara Gantt | 3/24/2011 8:35:55 AM |
| Please add my support for the athletic facility improvements for South High School. As a parent and homeowner in the area, I worked with ASD on the construction of South and a great deal of emphasis was placed on being a "good neighbor" not only with the physical building but also with daily operations since its opening. While our last student has graduated from South, our family continues to enjoy the fields and trails year round and consider the improvements a win-win for the students, community, and neighbors. Thank you for the opportunity to add my support for this project. Sara Gantt | |
| James Rerko | 3/24/2011 8:00:07 AM |
| This MIGHT be a good idea, after a public hearing. Who is going to pay for this? I will be for this, so long as you keep your fingers out of my wallet. | |
| Thomas McGillivray | 3/24/2011 7:05:18 AM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South Anchorage High School. Everything has been done to insure that there will be minimal impact on the neighborhoods in the area. This project should go forward without delay. Thank You, Tom | |
| Kelly Trent | 3/24/2011 1:04:54 AM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Pete Nolan | 3/23/2011 11:20:04 PM |
| Please schedule a Public Hearing on Case #2011-036, the proposed South High sports fields expansions. I am certain that all the individuals who are commenting on this case will appreciate their opportunity to be heard at a true public venue as part of a real public process. | |
| Ed Goldmann | 3/23/2011 9:40:57 PM |
| Recently it has come to the attention of neighbors that a large stadium installation is planned for the area. Since the assembly and school board are examples of communication and open dialogue I'm confident they have followed the precedence and rules about disclosing construction plans for an area. Please list when and what media was used to convey this information to the neighbors and tax payers. Of course if only limited communication has existed, a public hearing is indicated. This provides the forum for the public and those impacted by the development to be heard. Otherwise the situation gives an air of backroom deals .... etc. | |
| Susan Olsen | 3/23/2011 9:16:34 PM |
| While there appears to be great public support for this project, it is not clear from the comments submitted to date that the concerns of the immediate neighbors have been addressed. The support comes from people in favor of the athletic activities for their children or as a general improvement, but there is no indication of their homes' proximity to the actual sites. I support a public hearing on this matter so the noise, light and parking issues for those living next, close to the fields can be voiced and totally aired. | |
| Lesa Johnson | 3/23/2011 8:07:40 PM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South Anchorage HS field project. this field is not only important to my son as a football player but this is important to all south Anchorage residents now and for years to come. These facilities will be used by all ages of children in multiple sports and their families. While I understand some of the concerns the residents of the adjacent neighborhoods may have I am confident SAHS will use all efforts to minimize impact to them. please let the farther reaching benefit to a much broader group take priority over the minimal impact to the few in the immediate area. As small issues or problems arise I am confident that the staff of SAHS will use all efforts to correct them. | |
| D Dragich | 3/23/2011 6:29:31 PM |
| I am concerned about the proposed "improvements" for the sports facilities at South High. It seems these "improvements" are on their way to becoming reality when those most affected, the neighbors who lived there long before the school was proposed, have not been heard. Why has there not been a public hearing? The folks who are most affected must be heard about their concerns as they are the ones living with this 24/7. As a taxpayer, I wonder why we'd be putting our limited resources in this direction when we have so many students performing so poorly. We will never be able to compete on a global basis if we concentrate our resources on entertaining our students rather than educating them. | |
| Kimberly Smith | 3/23/2011 4:38:33 PM |
| The South High athletic facility committee has worked hard to design a facility to complement the new turf that ASD is installing. The proposed lighting will be designed to be directed away from the neighborhood homes, and the games will be scheduled to occur on Saturday afternoons to lessen impacts and disturbance to the neighborhood. The parking at the school already can handle all the attendees to the game. I support the athletic facility project as a community improvement that we can all be proud of. | |
| Traci Trujillo | 3/23/2011 3:11:33 PM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| ROBERT KIRN | 3/23/2011 3:09:01 PM |
| I am fortunate to live in Turnagain View Park, approximately .25 miles from the South football field. I am very pleased that the fields at South are scheduled for upgrades. My family has enjoyed using the South facilities for athletics and wholesome recreation. We welcome the sense of community that will come when South High can host football, baseball, and soccer home games with a cheering crowd and pep band. Please do whatever it takes to move this project forward as soon as possible. | |
| Karolyn Moore | 3/23/2011 2:54:35 PM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements. As a neighbor to South High School I regularly use the sport facilities. These additions will make the facility complete and add significantly to the ASD owned facility. | |
| Rhonda Gerharz | 3/23/2011 1:47:47 PM |
| Please add me to the list of community members who fully support both the athletic field and baseball field facilties plans at South High School. There simply is not much that is more positive for a community than the ability to host and share the spirit of a home game of any type at the local high school. These events bring people together and create positive activities and opportunities for youth and adults alike. Yes, on event days there will be more traffic and there will be increased noise and crowds. But I do believe the positive daily benefits of such facilities, and the exciting events that will be held at each of the facilities, will far outweigh any potential negative impact. This is true especially because those items of concern over which the high school and its supporting families have some control can and will be addressed. Thank you. | |
| mike frazier | 3/23/2011 1:15:49 PM |
| I'm a parent of a student that plays football and baseball and we have traveled out of town for both sports. example north pole and Juneau.when you walk on those field's you know you are on their field it will bring our comunity closer just like it has their's. also having the kids help maintain and keep the fields clean will give a sense of pride to them | |
| John Lewis | 3/23/2011 1:01:32 PM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements at South High. As the Head football Coach and South staff member, the importance for this facility and the community to work together is the highest priority. The majority of the work in the designing of the field is to keep as much of the noise headed towards the school. We want the total of 5 varsity games, if not in the playoffs then 4, to be one of the greatest experiences for the kids and the community of South. I hope that we all can move forward in finding the positives that these fields will bring the community, like our ice rinks and tennis courts, and we move forward. John Lewis | |
| K Lawrence | 3/23/2011 12:59:51 PM |
| The South High athletic facility committee has worked hard to design a facility to complement the new turf that ASD is installing. The proposed lighting will be designed to be directed away from the neighborhood homes, and the games will be scheduled to occur on Saturday afternoons to lessen impacts and disturbance to the neighborhood. The parking at the school already can handle all the attendees to the game. I support the athletic facility project as a community improvement that we can all be proud of. | |
| Ellie Soto | 3/23/2011 12:51:17 PM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Shirley Brewer | 3/23/2011 12:41:49 PM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Jordan Shannon | 3/23/2011 12:41:10 PM |
| The South High athletic facility committee has worked hard to design a facility to complement the new turf that ASD is installing. The proposed lighting will be designed to be directed away from the neighborhood homes, and the games will be scheduled to occur on Saturday afternoons to lessen impacts and disturbance to the neighborhood. The parking at the school already can handle all the attendees to the game. I support the athletic facility project as a community improvement that we can all be proud of. | |
| Bob Ottum | 3/23/2011 12:00:27 PM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South High School. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are over old issues with the school district, and they are not really specifically related to the facility improvements. I believe that the complaints that really are related, like potential for noise and traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits of these projects. Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Anne Frazier | 3/23/2011 10:14:45 AM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Lisa West | 3/23/2011 10:03:07 AM |
| As the President of the South Football Booster Foundation, aka South Football Boosters, I am excited about South Anchorage High School having state-of-the-art athletic facilities. While I know there are concerns from neighboring homes, we are working hard to resolve those issues. This is an incredible opportunity to bring our whole surrounding community together as we support our young athletes. Please support this undertaking of the building of both the baseball and football fields. | |
| Mariam Steele | 3/23/2011 9:42:49 AM |
| I support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements plans at South High School. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are in regards to old issues having to do with the Anchorage School District, and are not specifically related to the facility improvements at South High School. I believe that the complaints that ARE related, like the potential for noise and increased traffic, have been addressed by the principal and representatives of South High, and I believe those potential problems are minimal compared to the benefits that these projects will bring our community. | |
| Angela Case | 3/23/2011 8:41:18 AM |
| I would hope that the counsel will look at this and approve all construction for sports structures surrounding South Anchorage High School. This country is wondering why children have become more obese in the past decade. Having a place for kids to go to that promote health, I think, is a positive message. It keeps kids off the streets from doing crime and also off the sedentary life of video games. I only see this as a attribute to the whole community both young and old. Having a wonderful football or baseball stadium, I would think as a home owner myself, would be a wonderful addition and would only add equity to the value of my home. To think I could just walk right down the street to a football or baseball game on a beautiful day would be such wonderful thing for the whole family. | |
| Susan Klimow, MD | 3/23/2011 8:25:59 AM |
| Please support baseball and football upgrades at South High School. I enjoy spring/summer walking the campus and seeing the students utilizing the grounds. I want my child at a school with those very amenities - safe facilities/fields for sports activites. The proposed improvements benefit the students and can be used by other community sport groups. It is wonderful to watch these groups practice and play. Come on out for your evening walk and enjoy the fun! | |
| Dana Curtis | 3/23/2011 8:03:07 AM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. The South High athletic facility committee has worked hard to design a facility to complement the new turf that ASD is installing. The proposed lighting will be designed to be directed away from the neighborhood homes, and the games will be scheduled to occur on Saturday afternoons to lessen impacts and disturbance to the neighborhood. The parking at the school already can handle all the attendees to the game. My understanding of most of the complaints by a few neighbors who border the school property is that those complaints are over old issues with the school district, and they are not really specifically related to the facility improvements. Understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Kevin Gentner | 3/23/2011 8:03:07 AM |
| I fully support the athletic facility and baseball field improvements. As a neighbor to South High School I regularly use the sport facilities. These additions will make the facility complete and add significantly to the ASD owned facility. | |
| Daniel Toomey | 3/23/2011 7:53:19 AM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| John Micks | 3/23/2011 7:00:57 AM |
| Baseball in South Anchorage is essential to the development of players and obtaining the benfits of playing the game. We need baseball and we need more fields to play on. The number of players, parents and coaches who will play and benefit from the field is enormous. The field is needed in the development of Key players who learn to trust and depend on other members of the team. By doing this, they accomplish a lot of the goals and objectives valued on successful teams. They feel comfortable allowing others to help in training and skill development. They have come to the realization that everyone on the team may excel in one aspect of the game and need improvement in another. They know how to make another player feel good about his strengths and how to improve his weaknesses. Key players emphasize improving techniques and avoid criticism. South High School must develop key players as examples for others in what success is and how to obtain it. | |
| Brad McKim | 3/23/2011 6:49:44 AM |
| I am, admittedly, bias since my son plays baseball for South High. Nonetheless, it's hard for me to understand where the addition of a baseball field to a school should create issues. This is particularly true where the field is basically an improvement on what was there before, namely, a poor baseball field. When I came to Alaska, I was surprised at the lack of outdoor athletic facilities at the high schools. The recent football field/track built at Dimond and the Taylar Young Field enhance the school grounds and build school spirit. Any slight increase in use of the South High parking lot is more than set off by the increase in school morale and aesthetic enhancement. What could be more American? | |
| Michael Engel | 3/23/2011 6:48:52 AM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a parent of a South High student athlete,and a homewner in Turnagain View I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. In addition I and my dogs happily walk through the well kept grounds at SAHS daily. The field will only enhance that experience. It is a mistake to think that improving a schools facilities will negatively impact surrounding homes the opposite is often true. | |
| Arne Valdez | 3/23/2011 6:46:14 AM |
| As owners in Turnagain View Park we understand the added value that South High School and the sports facilities brings to our Neighborhood. We support all of the planned improvements to the baseball and new turf multi-sport field. Our children and all the high school children in the community will benefit from better sports facilities closer to their homes. | |
| Walter Harmon | 3/23/2011 1:09:20 AM |
| Please put me on record as supporting the South High School athletic facility improvements that is scheduled for UDC approval. As a former parent of a South High student athlete and coach, I understand how important it is for youth to be supported. This facility will allow teams and the school to have a home field to be proud of. Many youth today are out causing mischief, but this facility will allow families and students the chance to be involved in their neighborhood school and support their school's team. | |
| Kay McKim | 3/22/2011 11:15:35 PM |
| My family lives only two blocks from South High and the proposed baseball park located on South High's grounds. I am so very excited to have a baseball park within walking distance of my house. I walk my dogs regularly up and around South High and behind the homes the are around the perimeter. I have watched the careful and professional building of the baseball field since ground breaking. It looks so much better now, than before. There used to be big patches of holes and patchy weeds in that field. I am excited for the neighborhood kids who can just walk to the baseball games. I am excited to have it completed with bleachers and a scoreboard. I know my son, and others who attend South High have assisted in leveling the ground, laying sod, and mowing the grass. It is so nice to see the South students take pride in their new field. With the addition of the new turfed football field, I can't imagine families not wanting to move into our neighborhood. Please approve all additional construction for the Taylar Young Memorial Baseball Field. Thank you for your consideration of my thoughts as a homeowner near the park. | |
| Dean DES LAURIERS | 3/22/2011 10:19:34 PM |
| To Whom it may concern, As a neighbor to the school, I am very much in favor to the proposed changes/additions to the new ball field at South Anchorage High School. Thank You. | |
| Leif Schanche | 3/22/2011 9:37:15 PM |
| I play football for the South Varsity Team. I am looking forward to playing on the new turf, my regrets is that we are not able to hold home games here - why? Unlike all the other high schools we have No scoreboard, No bleachers, therefore No ability to hold home games. We already play JV and C games here, but we need to make a stadium so we can have our home turf usable. Our booster club is working hard to fundraise and put these things in place but we need approval to build them in. Please support the south football and baseball improvements. | |
| Susan Schafer | 3/22/2011 9:15:11 PM |
| I think having a regulation size baseball field at SAHS is a great addition to the South Anchorage community. I feel my son is safer being closer to home and on school grounds than at some of the other municipal parks. It can be used by players of all ages. It adds another amenity to the lack of fields in the city. I understand the potential for increased traffic in the local neighborhood but it probaly wouldn't be more than what is seen on a regular school day at SAHS. | |
| Kathi Gallagher | 3/22/2011 7:51:17 PM |
| Our city is in desperate need of sports facilities for the youth of Anchorage. Children who are active and dedicated to sports tend to become productive adult members of society. This is the direction we wish Anchorage to take. Please support the South Anchorage High School baseball and football field expansion. This project will enhance our schools, our community, our state. | |
| Jack Lewis | 3/22/2011 7:46:40 PM |
| I have coached Pop Warner football, Mighty Moose hockey,Abbott O Rabbit baseball, and now South High JV baseball and American Legion. I have struggled to find practice fields every year and certainly hope the community can see the tremendous value of having as many sports facilities within walking and bike riding distances for the kids. Not every child has parents with the luxury of driving them to recreational areas daily. They need to be able to call there friends and say meet me at the cool new field at South! Thanks. Jack M. Lewis Owner: Sourdough Mining Co. Restaurant The Peanut Farm McGinley's Pub Firetap Alehouse Coach and Parent | |
| Eileen Floyd | 3/22/2011 7:46:11 PM |
| (Please disregard if this is a duplication. I thought I had submitted but it didn't register). I strongly support the new ball field at SAHS. Schools should be about providing academic and physical training. It is important that our kids learn teamwork and what better place than a school ballfield. It is convenient and practical. | |
| Eileen Floyd | 3/22/2011 7:29:37 PM |
| I strongly support the baseball field being built at South Anchorage HS. I firmly believe in providing our children with physical and academic education. It is important for our kids to learn teamwork and what better place than a school for a baseball field to be located - giving our kids the opportunity to practice and play together. How convenient and practical! | |
| Jane Lewis | 3/22/2011 7:26:28 PM |
| I am in favor of this ball field.I think its important for teens to have access to a ballfield in their neighborhood.Many teens do not have access to transportation. I think the ball fields will be a positive addition to our community. | |
| Stephanie Engel | 3/22/2011 7:14:53 PM |
| What a wonderful way to build a community for families and residents living close to South HS! I fully support enhancing South High's athletic fields. We live close to the school and enjoy having the track and tennis courts available for our use when school is out. I'll feel more comfortable knowing my son is playing sports close to home rather than playing home games at other stadiums. The stadiums and ball fields are positive improvements for all of us to enjoy! Can't wait to hear the cheers. | |
| Jay Page | 3/22/2011 6:43:40 PM |
| I think citizens in South Anchorage are fortunate in many ways, not the least of which is the high quality school facilities in the area. I was surprised personally, that the community came out so strongly with their donations of cash,time, and materials to make the baseball field a reality in memory of a young man who loved the sport so much. In addition to that moving effort by so many, the community has invested in turning a hard dirt and rock field at South High into a great artificial turf for football, soccer and track - to name just a few uses. A previous poster alluded to the value these facilities bring to a neighborhood and I think they were spot on. My son has played sports and when we have gone to communities Outside, some of the best and most balanced neighborhoods in San Diego, Tucson, and Seattle had great athletic venues for kids adjacent to neighborhoods for all to enjoy. Games are played very infrequently - especially here with our weather - but all folks in the neighborhood now have enhanced outdoor facilites for everybody to enjoy whether it is for a walk, jog, or just a chance to enjoy a wide open space adjacent to a compact row of houses. We can't please all people all the time, and I really don't see so much resistance from folks to the proposed uses of the fields. But I do believe that set backs, sound barriers and other measures that were originally part of the proposal should be incorporated to make the most folks happy - but that tenuous balance is for Z&P to decide. But the benefits of the expanded use, I believe, outway by far, any negatives I can see. | |
| Richard Schanche | 3/22/2011 6:14:59 PM |
| I support the Sports Improvements at South Anchorage High School - these baseball and football improvements will greatly enhance the school facility as well as be a benefit the entire community. Comments against the new sports improvements note noise, lights and traffic. Any noise is governed by the Health Department Noise Codes, which will be adhered to. The baseball lights are situated to not shine in homes, the football lights will be designed specially to shine away from the neighboring homes and hooded to contain glare. The numbers of people that will attend afternoon football games include families - what better, positive way to spend time with your teens than at a South football game? The neighbors have even been promised advance warning of school games and free passes. They can plan to avoid the event or attend and be part of the community. The number of people attending games is likely less than the current school population. There are already games being played at the field; football, soccer, baseball, softball. We are not introducing new events, we are merely improving the quality of play and entertainment for all. Spectators will actually be contained better by the installation of fences around the facilities. Plus, these events happen in summer and fall when we have the most daylight. It is not likely the stadium would even be used between November and April when the lights would have the most impact on the neighborhoods. We will likely see 4-5 home games played here at the most. Thank you for the opportunity to comment, I look forward to attending South football and baseball games! | |
| Michael Cleary | 3/22/2011 6:11:43 PM |
| Reviewed other comments,nothing that cant be resolved with little ownership from ASD/Parents and the kids...The folks I talked with support the sport fields as a alternative to TV,Video and the Electronic Devices that are consuming this generation of youngsters.The teams have worked hard to make this happen, lets support this worthwhile project for todays and tomorrows kids....Keep them off the streets and on the field... | |
| Marion Davis | 3/22/2011 6:05:14 PM |
| I strongly support adding additional sports facilities to the South High Campus and school. This will greatly enhance the campus. Facilities are lacking in the Anchorage area. People want to move into areas that have both a good school system and sports activities. These facilities add a 'sense of pride' to the students as well as the school as a whole. An opportunity to improve these facilities would hopefully be welcomed by the community and foreseen as positive improvements verses negitive. Let us not miss this positive opportunity. Marion G, Davis | |
| James Cucullu | 3/22/2011 5:16:08 PM |
| I highly encourage the the Taylar Young memorial baseball field be completed as planned. I've had 4 children grow up playing baseball and it is one of the most positive infulences in their lives. It keeps them active in a very positive way as well as teaching them numerous life skills such as team work, respect and leadership. There couldn't be a better location than at south HS. To many of Anchorages baseball fields are away from neighbor hoods and difficult for players to access. It also creates additional traffic, with teen drivers downtown during rushour when many are just learning to drive. Please move this project forward. Thanks you | |
| Russ Baker | 3/22/2011 4:53:10 PM |
| I would like to add my support for the construction of Taylor Young Field at South High School. As a parent and home owner in the South district it is important to have an onsite option for my son's sporting events. I have not felt comfortable as a father with my son having to drive across Anchorage to the Kosinski Fields on a regular basis to participate in his sport of choice. The impact of a field that will be used only a fraction of the year on a small percentage of neighbors should not prevent our youth from having access to a top notch facility. Another point I would like to make is that the Taylor Young Field will be almost entirely self sufficent. The up keep of the field will be provided by the players and volunteers. Thank you for the opportunity to send in my written support of this field. Russ Baker | |
| nick karnos | 3/22/2011 4:43:40 PM |
| I strongly support the south anchorage high school sports complex development for the good of our children, our neighborhoods, and our community. Bringing spectator sports back into our neighborhhods provides a benefit to the people that is measured in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and participation. It provides a network that is almost completely lacking in almost every neighborhood throughout Anchorage. I urge strong support and facillitation of this concept. NK | |
| Karen Baker | 3/22/2011 4:30:43 PM |
| I live adjacent to South High and I am looking forward to having sports played there. South High is one of the highest ranking schools and I moved close to the school just for that reason. Any improvements would surely bring property values up. Not only is it a good thing for the kids, it’s convenient for the neighbors who would like to walk to watch a baseball or football game during our brief season. | |
| karen cucullu | 3/22/2011 4:27:25 PM |
| Facilities are lacking around town & I think a ball field gives kids POSITIVE alternatives to do with their time instead of causing trouble at say...Dimond mall - it is physical & a positive release of pent up energy. It adds value to the school | |
| Schuyler Young | 3/22/2011 2:45:51 PM |
| The expansion of the Baseball and Football fields are positive in every aspect, and I would like to address several of the issues that I have come across in various meetings I have attended. These issues are the 1. Lighting, 2. Noise, 3. Litter, 4. Property Values and 5. Traffic and I would like to address these one at a time. 1. Lighting - Lighting for the Football games would only be used on weekends a total of 12 weeks if the games are played at night, half of the games are played during the day and games are over by 10 and cleaned up by 11 then the lights would be turned off. All Lighting is proposed to be facing away from the neighborhoods and the lighting i have seen on similar projects has shades on the top, left and right which would further direct the light so in conclusion the lighting will minimally affect nearby homes several days a year if it affects them at all. 2. Noise - Now we all know that having a game involves fans cheering for there team or they would call it a scrimmage. Fans do produce noise and the PA system would inform fans of progression they may not be aware of. Both of these cause noise for a few hours during gameplay. For the Baseball field improvements the games are played during the day so noise produced would not be noticeably different from that during the school year. Football on the other hand will have some games at night so the fans and pa system may interfere with your bedtime if you go to sleep before 10 but have seen everything from a handheld radio to noise canceling headphones to keep noise out for the total of 114 hours of the 8760 hours you would spend in your home if you never left all year. 3. Litter - The way both Baseball and Football take care of their own fields is fantastic. One trip to the K-Fields or AFS and you can see there is no litter thrown about much like the south parking lot. This is because after every game the field is maintained and cleaned which includes garbage pickup. The litter you may be experiencing now probably occurs during the south lunch afterwards no formal clean up crew cleans the parking lot since the students obviously cannot clean up after themselves (I have much more for that conversation if your interested) 4. Property Values - The idea that property values will go down is ridiculous. The property values will go up because of this project. The South Anchorage High School is by many parents standards the best school in the city/state and specifically buy homes in the area for safe neighborhoods and great schools. This project would increase desire for the school and in result the nearby neighborhoods. The rules of supply and demand show that when demand increases and supply remains the same the value increases which means the home prices would rise not fall. 5. Traffic - This is a very valid concern that I would share with people if I lived in the area of people using our culdesacs as parking lots and parking on our streets or in front of our homes or worse in front of fire hydrates but this is not an issue to be brought up against this project but rather with the homeowners association to tow these unwanted vehicles away and possibly ticket them for hazardous behavior. Valid signage and rules in the association would be able to deter all this behavior. This is all motor traffic issues but some were worried about foot traffic with vandalism and theft both of which are very illegal and should be punished but with the appropriate motor traffic enforcement the only additional foot traffic that you should have are students that live in the surrounding area who instead of driving took the economical alternative and walked. This additional traffic is just as likely to have issues as the previous traffic not additional issues. | |
| Katherine Anderson | 3/22/2011 7:41:31 AM |
| Please schedule a Public Hearing on Case #2011-036, the South High sports field expansions. It is not fair to local residents to allow existing problems to be compounded without even one chance to bring up the major issues already faced. From traffic to noise and light pollution, the public should be heard and these problems solved before allowing anything that will only compound these problems. | |
| Gloria Nolan | 3/22/2011 7:33:11 AM |
| Please schedule a Public Hearing on Case #2011-036, the South High sports field expansions. It is not fair to residents to allow existing problems to be compounded without even one chance to bring up the major issues already faced. From traffic to noise and light pollution, the public should be heard and these problems solved before allowing anything that will only make these problems worse. | |
| Kat Andrews | 3/21/2011 11:16:27 PM |
| This planned expansion of the sports fields at South High needs to have a public hearing. You need to know how residents are affected by the problems and how these problems are going to be increased by this expansion. There was supposed to be a 40 foot-wide easement and a 40 foot-wide replanted vegetative buffer that would help protect homes from the noise and light that the school produces. There was supposed to be a 6 foot fence that protected this buffer. What we got is 80' of space used by the school right up to the 4' tall fence right next to our property lines. The lights are on all night and we hear the PA system all day. At least give us a chance to discuss these problems before you approve adding to our problems. | |
| Tom Martin | 3/13/2011 8:16:45 PM |
| I believe building a Ball Park within South High would be a great addition to not only the school but the neighborhood as a whole. I happen to live in the neighborhood and am 100% behind this project. If you can put a high school in the dead center of a Residential area, you certainly can add a much needed playing field for these young Individuals. | |