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| Elizabeth Roberts | 1/5/2015 7:04:55 PM |
| I am in support of the South High field improvements. | |
| Kathi Gallagher | 1/5/2015 3:24:07 PM |
| I am one of the "minority" that the president of TVEHA refers to. I fully support the completion of the field upgrades at SAHS as do many of my neighbors. TVEHA Board does not represent the masses as stated. A vote has never been taken. The vote the president refers to is one that was taken to approve an annual budget. It has nothing to do with the football field. My home backs right up to the football field and I look forward to enjoying the sounds that come from children and their families. That's what a neighborhood is about ~ families supporting one another. Watching a football game at your local high school is a great way to do that! Our neighborhood has much bigger noise issues than sports. I urge you to do the right thing and approve ASD's proposal. | |
| Susan Olsen | 1/5/2015 2:41:14 PM |
| I oppose approval of this case for the following reasons: a) the homeowners were promised that only practice would take place; not football games on what I understand is a substandard-sized lot for the size of the school; b) despite various attempts, there appears to be no way for game and stadium noise to be contained sufficiently so that surrounding homeowners are not highly disturbed; c) experience to date vis a vis baseball games is that noise ordinances are exceeded and that South High school personnel do not/cannot enforce noise levels to the detriment of homeowners; d) homeowners' complaints about noise and other school issues have been largely ignored by school personnel and homeowners have no faith that school personnel will abide by agreements made concerning outside groups renting the stadium, playing games, etc.' | |
| Debbie Dragich | 1/5/2015 12:50:35 PM |
| I am opposed to the new football stadium at South High School. This was not in the agreement when the school was built and changing plans late in the game is unfair to the neighborhood which must support it's presence. Lighting, noise, traffic and safety issues are being forced upon those who have no duty to bear these problems. With a football stadium just over two miles from this school, I cannot justify our school district spending an enormous amount of money to build yet another stadium. How about trying to live within our means and use the things we already have wisely? As a taxpayer I submit that enough is enough! | |
| Jill Chouinard | 1/5/2015 12:05:49 PM |
| As a parent of South Anchorage HS students and a community member I fully support the additional infrastructure for the SAHS stadium. High participation in school activities has a direct correlation with academic success. South deserves to have a home stadium just like the other Anchorage schools. Football players, cheerleaders, pep band members, and student fans all benefit from this facility. It seems shameful that a small group of alfuent homeowners can prevent this beneficial project from moving forward. I would support any other Anchorage HS who didn't have a stadium with seating for fans. This will be a community asset and I encourage the Assembly and zoning commission to vote in favor of this proposal. | |
| Robert Terrazas | 1/5/2015 7:48:36 AM |
| I fully support the expansion of a football stadium at South high school. The community would greatly benefit from this facility. Not only would the improvement at the school increase property value in the surrounding area, but create a sought after area because higher amounts of amenities that will be within access to the nearest neighborhood(s). The permanent enrichment to the community, far out weighs the potential for temporary noise increase. | |
| Jeri Pickerel | 1/4/2015 7:39:12 PM |
| My husband and I support the proposed improvements to the South Anchorage High School Football field. We respectively request your support in its approval. | |
| Mike Mills | 1/4/2015 7:07:21 PM |
| I am a strong supporter of the field improvements. The benefit for the South High community in general and, most importantly, for the kids who attend South cannot be overstated. The encouragement of school spirit through sporting activities should be strongly supported and nurtured. The ASD has accommodated a well-organized neighboring HOA that has dramatically overblown the minimal impact (a handful of evening events per year where crowds of any size will be present) for some etherial goal of avoiding the sound of their neighboring State Champion football squad competing. As one neighbor elequently stated at a public hearing a year or more ago: "I view the sound of cheering fans as a happy sound." And this is the civil view of the impact of the improvements--the neighborhood school community coming together in a prideful sporting event. To view the sound of a high school football game as negatively impacting on a neighborhood is taking a very selfish view of being a member of the community. With all of the accommodations made by ASD to appease a small group of neighbors who yell very loudly, and with the proper balance of the community interests, I strongly urge this board to approve the proposed field improvements. This is the right decision under the legal and regulatory framework, and certainly the right decision for thousands of kids. Encouraging positive events like this for kids enhances our city now and in the future. | |
| Steve Noble | 1/3/2015 11:45:36 AM |
| Please, please, please build the stadium! The few times a year that the stadium will increase noise for adjacent neighbors does not out weigh the community benefit for building this stadium! Don't give in to the NIMBYs! | |
| Jennifer Mohundro | 12/30/2014 8:50:50 PM |
| I support the proposed improvements to the South Anchorage High School Football field. I have lived in Turnagain View Estates (TVE) for approximately 18 months and do not recall an option to voice my opinion, vote on or discuss the measure as a community. It leads me to assume the homeowners’ board came to their decision to oppose the stadium prior to my arrival. It also reflects the fact board’s decision is therefore not representative of all TVE community members. TVE Board restricts access for stadium-supporters to leverage mailing lists or other forums to reach the wider community; therefore it is appears there is no current viable option to hold a healthy debate within our own community. The views of TVE do not represent my views though I do live in the community and unfortunately likely finance the legal battle via homeowner dues. In a previous neighborhood I was extremely nervous when I watched the local school install stadium lighting and seating; this school was across the street from my backyard. The announcer’s box and scoreboard only increased my anxiousness. It was a pleasant surprise when the events started and the impact was minimal. During events I could hear the crowd while sitting in my backyard and it was minimal; when I was inside I couldn’t hear anything from the stadium. There were no noise blockers installed. The lights were fine and the traffic was less than a normal day at the school. This stadium hosted football, soccer, and track and field events during the school year and was used during the summer season for community teams. The value of my home increased and while this was not directly related to the stadium it indicates the stadium did not drop the value of my home. When we were selling the house and a potential buyer was concerned we recommended via our real estate agent to have them visit the neighborhood during an event. They visited one evening and purchased the house. We live in a community and this will benefit the community. The one home football game SAHS hosted at the school last year was great because the whole family could easily walk over. It was also a bit embarrassing to have us and the visitors sitting on the damp hill and searching for bathrooms. I hope a fear of the unknown does not stop this from going forward. | |
| Rhonda Gerharz | 12/29/2014 11:30:20 AM |
| I continue to support the field improvements at South Anchorage High School. I attended the very well-run public meeting at South High the end of September, and listened to many thoughtful and practical ideas expressed for minimizing the impact to neighbors of holding a small number of varsity sports events at the school. The common misconception is South will "all of a sudden" have sports events on the field. The reality is adding bleachers and a scoreboard will add a maximum potential of five events that would rise to the magnitude of noise upset to some neighbors. All other sports events will continue to be held at South High for the duration of its existence. If this project is not completed, South will be the only high school without bleachers and a scoreboard at its field. That would simply be wrong. Compromise is critical to successful community existence. Please do what is right for the majority of our community. Thank you. | |
| Sharon Ferguson | 12/8/2014 1:27:43 PM |
| For your information the South High School case will not be heard tonight, December 8, 2014. It is being postponed to a date uncertain at this time. | |
| Darrell Evans | 12/7/2014 11:56:42 PM |
| My wife and I live in the Turnagain View Estates subdivision and are members of the Turnagain View Estates Homeowners Association. We are what Mr. Slivka would refer to as the "minority" that support the SAHS field upgrades. We believe that despite what Mr. Slivka hangs his argument on, it is our belief that spending money up front on any school improvements, whether it be in the classroom, or in an extra curricular activity, pays benefits ten-fold on the back end, with productive, educated, well-rounded adults, that in turn give back to their community. It is a proven fact that students and staff take pride in their "home school" when maintained with upgraded with the highest level of technology and craftsmanship. Further, home school events such as sporting events and community awareness activities create a sense of pride in the surrounding neighborhoods, whether you have children attending the school or not. When my wife and I bought our home four years ago, the first criteria we looked at was what were the home schools for the area. Improvements to SAHS facilities will raise property values, despite what Mr. Slivka might have people believe. This is not just about football games; it's about pride in our community and our childrens' opportunities. Finally, as a police officer, I can tell you that we should welcome every opportunity to upgrade our school and its facilities, and give our children more opportunity to participate in extra curricular activities in school. Believe me when I say I see the alternatives out there every day. To Mr. Subitch, I encourage you to continue to call the police every time the "NASCAR" races are going on in the SAHS parking lot. Believe me, I have heard it myself several times while at home at night also. But the issue isn't going to increase because of a football stadium, and the lack of police response is due to many other issues to be discussed in another forum. Please approve these improvements, so that we can put this behind us and improve our school. Thank you | |
| Richard Melms | 12/7/2014 6:01:48 PM |
| In spite of the efforts ASD says they have made, or will make, to accommodate the surrounding neighborhoods I remain opposed to the expansion of the athletic fields at SAHS. The experts at the Muni's DHHS have testified in past meetings that there is little ASD could do that would significantly diminish the impact of noise and lighting on their neighbors. An article in the Sunday, Dec 7, Alaska Dispatch newspaper, sec B, page 1, quotes Tony Barrett, manager of environmental health programs for the Muni's DHHS. He clearly states that the noise "could still exceed 60 decibels" and suggested that ASD would have to apply for "noise permits to manage the impacts on the nearby subdivision". So what is the effect of a "noise 'permit"?? I think it means that ASD can ignore the 60 decibel limit for the duration of their sporting event thereby impacting the adjacent neighbors who will have no recourse! In other words there is a "Loophole" ASD can take advantage of and do what ever they want. One only has to walk thru the area surrounding the playing field in question to witness how weak ASD's response has been to past complaints. The efforts to mitigate noise and visual impacts to date include planting a few trees. Many of them have died or blown down. The effort is pathetic at best. I am not opposed to the fields being used as we were originally told they would be by ASD. I attended numerous meetings prior to the schools construction and was told the "practice fields" were for the use of SAHS students. I have two sons who attended ASD schools. One played hockey and the other skied. There is no question that sports benefitted them both. The Muni and ASD should spend their limited amount of money on well needed improvements to the Anchorage Football Stadium and not at SAHS. I respectfully submit that this request by ASD be denied and not allowed to come up again in the future. | |
| Sharon Smith | 12/5/2014 11:32:04 PM |
| Thank you for the opportunity to once again express my support for the South Anchorage High School stadium improvements. I am currently President of the South Boys Soccer Booster Foundation and parent of two sons, both soccer players and both of whom who serve(d) as Student Body President during their time at South. I most recently attended the community meeting at South on 9/30 and was so pleased to have so many homeowners positive of the project in attendance at the meeting. I appreciate everyone's time and energy in moving this project forward for the betterment and enjoyment of our community. | |
| John Weddleton | 12/5/2014 5:39:58 PM |
| At their December 4 meeting the Hillside's Home And Landowners Organization reviewed the resubmittal for the South High football stadium. Once again, we find that we cannot support this project. For the full resolution, please go to www.anchoragehalo.org/Resolutions/PZC%202014-0183%20SAHS%20Football%20Stadium%20%2012-4-14.pdf | |
| Jean and John Gerd | 12/5/2014 10:58:11 AM |
| We are against construction of the proposed stadium. The proximity of the surrounding residential neighborhood is too close for any measures attempting to mitigate the noise, lights, and other impacts from use of the stadium to be effective. Further, prior to SAHS being built, the ASD assured the community that the athletic fields would be used for practice only. Since ASD has not felt obligated to honor that position, there is no reason to have any confidence that the ASD will honor the new assurances they are making with regard to use of the proposed stadium. | |
| Alex Slivka | 12/5/2014 10:01:25 AM |
| December 5, 2014 TO: Planning & Zoning Commission FROM: Turnagain View Estates Homeowners Association REGARDING: Proposed Football Stadium at South Anchorage High School We again speak on behalf of the majority of area homeowners in close proximity to South’s campus when we ask you to deny the ASD’s request to install their 7th football stadium at South High. On the face of it this proposal “appears” reasonable; only a “few” games a year, and a promise to comply with the noise ordinance. However, this commission correctly identified at its Feb 2014 hearing of this same proposal that not enough effort had been made to mitigate the permanent negative impact on the surrounding community, and “doubted there was adequate enforcement”. Our experience with this site over the past 10 years, and especially this past summer, confirms that noise ordinance violations are a continuous problem that ASD has repeatedly refused to address. This is not a debate about sports, kids, education, or community spirit. Our homeowners enthusiastically support the education of our children, we welcome their opportunity to compete in athletics, and we have great pride in the accomplishments of South High athletic teams. All of these are in place today, and denial of this application does not hinder any of these activities. This is a very simple land use issue; should the laws of our community be recognized, obeyed and followed? We believe they should, and here we speak to the private property rights that are guaranteed through the adoption of the Hillside District Plan and the Municipal Noise Ordinance. That we continue to debate this project is only because two agencies believe they have the ability to ignore the laws, and the rights of our citizens to equal protection of those laws. Here I refer to both the Anchorage School District and the Planning Department of the Municipality of Anchorage. This application contains numerous and often repeated lies, and one truth; THE LIES 1. “Spectator facilities at the school are very limited and South Anchorage High School Events are forced to use venues far removed from the school.” (page 6) ASD HAS TESTIFIED THAT BOTH SOCCER TEAMS, FLAG FOOTBALL, AND TRACK EVENTS ARE ALREADY HELD AT THE SCHOOL. THE NEAREST FOOTBALL VENUE IS THE 2600 SEAT STADIUM AT SERVICE HIGH SCHOOL, 2 MILES (7 MINUTES) FROM SOUTH HIGH. 2. Purpose and needs 1.3; academic performance will increase, traffic to the community will be reduced, and fees for alternate site rental will be avoided.(page 6) THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OFFERED TO CONFIRM ANY OF THESE STATEMENTS REGARDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. THAT A FOOTBALL GAME WITH 16OO SPECTATORS WILL SOMEHOW REDUCE TRAFFIC TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS RIDICULOUS ON ITS FACE. WITH 7 OTHER HIGH SCHOOL STADIUMS TO CHOOSE FROM, THERE ARE NO FEES TO AVOID. 3. A wood fence would be provided. This fence will not encompass the entire perimeter, but only where views exist through plantings to the field areas. (page 9) THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF HOMES WOULD REQUIRE A SCREEN FENCE TO SURROUND BOTH END ZONES IN ADDITION TO THE SOUTH/SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE FIELD; THIS IS NOT THE PROPOSED DESIGN. 4. …no trees have been disturbed or removed as result of previous work...Zoning Enforcement has determined that the buffer that is provided complies with the intent of the 2001 P&Z buffer requirement.(PAGE 11) ASD REMOVED TREES FROM THE BUFFER DIRECTLY WEST OF THE SOFTBALL FIELD IN 2005 WHEN FAILURE OF THE INITIAL DRAINAGE DESIGN FORCED MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION. MATURE TREES WERE REPLACED WITH 3 FOOT TALL TREES AND THIS SECTION OF THE BUFFER REMAINS OUT OF COMPLIANCE. BOTH THE URBAN DESIGN COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HAVE REPEATEDLY OBESERVED THAT THE BUFFER DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE INTENT OF THE SPECIAL LIMITATIONS. 5. “the lighting will have cut offs to prevent spillage of light off the field.”(page 13) THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT COMMENT ON REFLECTION OF LIGHT FROM THE FACILITY. THIS REFLECTION WILL IMPOSE EXESSIVE LEVELS OF LIGHT ON THE ENTIRE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. 6. “Once the sound system is installed, the school will monitor the sound system as school boundaries and modify the volume to ensure the system remains compliant with Municipal code.” (page 14). IN THE TEN YEARS SOUTH HIGH HAS OPERATED, THEY HAVE NEVER IMPLEMENTED A POLICY TO COMPLY WITH THE NOISE ORDINANCE. THEY HAVE NOT IMPLEMENTED ANY SUCH POLICY IN REGARD TO THE RECENTLY APPROVED BASEBALL STADIUM, AND HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO REPEATED REQUESTS TO BRING OPERATION OF THE BASEBALL STATIUM INTO COMPLIANCE. AS RECENTLY AS OCTOBER 11, 2014 THE HOMEOWNERS WERE FORCED TO DEMAND CURTAILMENT OF A STUDENT GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD WHERE A PORTABLE PA WAS BEING USED AT LEVELS THAT EXCEEDED THOSE ALLOWED BY ORDINANCE. 7. Scoreboard, “the illumination will not be visible beyond the boundaries of the school.” (page 14) HOMES COMPLETELY SURROUND THE SITE ON THE WEST AND NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE PROPERTY. WITH THE PREVIOUSLY NOTED INADEQUATE BUFFER, THIS SCOREBOARD WILL BE CLEARLY VISIBLE TO HOMES ALONG EASTWIND DRIVE. 8. The development proposed in the site plan is consistent with the goals and objectives and policies of the comprehensive plan. (page 15) THE EXISITING FACILITIES ALREADY MEET ALL THESE GOALS. THIS APPLICATION CONTAINS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE ADDITION OF PA AND LIGHTS IN ANYWAY MAKES THIS SITE MORE CONSISTENT. THE ONE TRUTH The bigger issue is the Planning Departments willingness to continually ignore the law, and the process used with all other developments. The one truth is that the reasonably anticipated adverse impacts of noise and light cannot be mitigated to the extent needed to comply with the Hillside District Plan and the Municipal Noise Ordinance; the applicant testified to this exact point in February 2014. The school district is before this commission often, and its plans and applications routinely lack the necessary detail needed for this commission to make decisions; the necessary detail demanded of every private developer. Indeed, this application does not contain a detailed engineering study on the impact that installation of bleachers would have on the drainage catchment beneath them. It is also notable that despite this Commissions requests, the applicant has never provided sound measurements from even one of the more than 100 football games that have been held in the 4 years since this project was first proposed. Our homeowners have provided sworn testimony on observed noise levels, and DHHS testimony confirms (page 106 of staff report) our measurements; operation of this facility will routinely and repeatedly violate the noise ordinance. Why is this so important? The permanent negative consequences this project would precipitate diminished health of the surrounding residents due to reduced hours of rest. This would result in unsafe personal and professional conditions, reduced productivity at work, the inability to concentrate at home on personal work and projects, and decreased peaceful enjoyment of our homes. This known negative consequence of elevated noise levels is why we have a noise ordinance. At past hearings the Commission has sought to craft a compromise that might allow this project to be built. While we have had numerous discussions with ASD and the Planning Department, their idea of compromise is “let us do what we want”. This attitude has been very disappointing. We would echo the thoughts of DHHS; events should be limited in number, duration, and time of day. A reasonable compromise could be to actually abide by the often repeated comment “it is only 4 or 5 games a year”. Limit the use of lights and/or PA to 5 times per year with any scheduled event to end by 7pm. Another point of compromise, eliminate the lights all together; their very limited utility does not offset the significant negative impact on the community. We have repeatedly tried to take a reasonable approach with the ASD. At every turn they have refused to honor prior commitments, refused to comply with the Noise Ordinance. We can only conclude that any promised limitations in this proposal would be similarly ignored, and thus we repeat our request that you deny this application. Thank you for your consideration. Alex Slivka, President, Turnagain View Estates Homeowners Association. Post script: I would like to clarify another often repeated fallacy regarding our neighborhood. We have had several meetings on this topic, including one where over half the homes were represented. At all these meetings over 75% of the homeowners opposed the football stadium. A small number of supporters repeatedly demand a complete survey of every single homeowner. Under this logic every election held in Anchorage would be suspect since we do not have 100% turnout. | |
| Marci Hosken | 12/1/2014 9:46:45 PM |
| I enthusiastically support the building of the SAHS Stadium proposed project. My family homesteaded generations ago on the hillside, near land partitioned as Section 36. There have many changes to the homestead, now neighborhood, which one could not then easily imagined. Prosperity has expanded hillside neighborhoods which necessitated early road improvements, and the later additions of Bear Valley Elementary followed by Goldenview M.S., and SAHS, all of which my children are alumni--save one Wolverine now in attendance. We are three generations of ASD student graduates who have utilized a multitude of facilities including local ski and bike trails; soccer and football fields; and baseball complexes-all of which required sacrifice by nearby neighbors. During summer months, I likewise navigate my neighborhood road that may slow my progress due to a bike race along its side; or my attention is drawn to cheering of families playing soccer under a midnight sun near my home. But the road hindrance or the sound of enthusiastic cheer does not elicit my grumbling, but rather my attitude of gratitude for the wonderful opportunities that are present to be a positive participant in the creation of genuine community. This old homestead remnant has been blessed to grow into a thriving community of supportive neighbors, many of which have had to make accommodations as our neighborhoods grow. The building of the SAHS field stadium including the recent recommended proposals provides opportunity to build a positively connected community in which families and neighbors can more easily participate to support Alaskans, young and old. Much information is available regarding the benefits of smaller learning communities related to making meaningful connections to improve student academic performance which can be generalized extra curricular venues. As student athletes will benefit from a home stadium, the surrounding community will benefit in tandem. Please join me and the majority of local neighbors who recognize the advantages in the construction of the proposed stadium project for SAHS and its surrounding community members. The completed proposed stadium is primary in provision of a more accurate and meaningful, "WELCOME HOME" to generations of successful Wolverines. | |
| Tiffany Byars | 12/1/2014 9:38:27 PM |
| I believe South High should have their own field. I think every high school should to have their own home games. The people that don't want it , you live by a school. Get over it, you bought there knowing the school was either coming or was already there. I live by Dimond high school and they have lots of games at their field. I like to hear the excitement and fun the kids are having ,cheering for their home teams. I have seen several neighbors walking to the games and not have to worry about parking. The seasons to most sports are short and most games are done by 9pm. Thank you and good luck South! | |
| Zachary Mohundro | 12/1/2014 7:29:08 PM |
| I wholeheartedly support the proposed improvements to the South High School varsity stadium and encourage the Planning and Zoning committee to move forward with it. We moved up to Alaska last year and chose this area in large part because South was ranked as the number one school in the district. It seems somewhat an embarrassment, and an annoying hassle as well, that we still have to drive down to AFS rather than getting to attend true “home” games at our own facility as the other high schools now do. Any activities that encourage students to gravitate to their school and participate should be encouraged. Having just moved from a house with a football stadium just over my back fence, I can say the benefits of having local sporting events far outweighs the occasional inconvenience they can cause. Unfortunately, as a home owner in Turnagain View Estates, it seems my own Homeowners Association is the primary roadblock to this effort. They seem to have taken it as both their moral and financial obligation to prevent this effort from moving forward at all costs. Any efforts to debate or vote for/against supporting this effort are denied within our own HOA, regardless of what the majority belief may be. That being the case, I would request that the commission move past the vocal minority and progress this case forward. | |
| Amy Carman | 12/1/2014 5:15:12 PM |
| I support the South High School Stadium Project. The benefits to the school community far outweigh the minimal disruptions to the neighborhood. Neighbor schools and activities strengthen both the school and the community surrounding it by making family friendly activities and functions readily available. This project should move forward. | |
| Therese Foley | 12/1/2014 5:00:48 PM |
| I am in complete agreement with Leverette Hoover. The HOA board is sending out false information. I am in FAVOR of the field improvements! | |
| Shannie Moore | 12/1/2014 4:59:38 PM |
| I am fully in support of the SAHS Field Improvements, I was born and raised in Anchorage and have lived on South Hillside for 28 years and have seen the community GROW for the positive which is why my Husband & I chose to continue to live in this area and raise our 3 boys!! Nothing pulls a community together more than all types of Youth Activities! Going to a football game at the new Service High Football Stadium brought the whole Hillside together for an uplifting event, South should be able to have that same experience. For the handfull of aging or retired homeowners that are against ANY type of development in there area (including roundabouts) shouldn't ruin the enhancements for our youth and community for years & years to enjoy!! The "Estate" owners need to realize they only have appx. 10,000 sq ft. to dictate. Thank You for bringing GROWTH to Anchorage! | |
| Lori Schanche | 12/1/2014 4:56:17 PM |
| Dear Planning & Zoning Commissioners; Earlier this year West High School went thru the process to add a stadium on their school grounds. It is my understanding that there were not many comments opposed to the stadium. It is likely that since West High and the neighborhood were developed at the same time, that the neighbors were more accepting of an on-site stadium. Unfortunatley, the homes in Turnagain View Estates (TVE) were built long before a school was constructed. The TVE Homeowners Association(TVEHA) has many rules and covenants on how the neighborhood can exist, including how long a bbq can be in a driveway. Since the TVEHA is so restrictive they have gotten used to dictating how all neighbors should act. This includes the Anchorage School District (ASD) and South High School. But in all of my experience what really matters is who owns the property. If you want control you should purchase the property. Since TVEHA does not 'own' South High they have lost their chance to control what goes on at the school. ASD and South High has been a good neighbor and gone out of their way to meet demands and requests from TVEHA. But the time has come to meet the needs of the students and the parents of South High. Please approve the South High Stadium project. Don't let TVEHA dictate what can occur on property that does not belong to them. Enough studies and funds have been wasted - let's please build the stadium at South High. | |
| Molly Connelly | 12/1/2014 4:56:15 PM |
| I fully support the field developments at SAHS. Have lived in the area for over 20 years, and have 2 sons in the football program at South. Our players work hard and deserved to be recognized on their home field. Nothing enhances school spirit/pride and a sense of community like attending/playing on your home field. The design team has done a great job with noise mitigation factors; and the number of games to be played there will be limited. If you build it we will come. | |
| Eileen Floyd | 12/1/2014 4:41:51 PM |
| I fully support a football stadium at South Anchorage High School. Schools should be centers of activity and places for our community to gather and support the efforts of our children and future generations. High school stadiums are sources of pride and community fellowship. | |
| Annette Funk | 12/1/2014 4:41:14 PM |
| I am writing to state my husband's and my overwhelming support for the completion of South Anchorage High School's turf field by building a stadium. Not only will this allow students at South High to have equal ability to host games on site, as students from virtually every other high school in Anchorage are able to do. Additionally, this will alleviate potential bottlenecks with sports venue scheduling in south anchorage during the peak of soccer and football season. With respect to those residents who live in the neighborhood surrounding South Anchorage High School, sports games are scheduled for waking hours for most people. The school grounds must be evacuated by a certain time, and visitors are not allowed to loiter. Let's consider the community support of healthy activities among our youth on the south side that this would promote. It is completely unfair that students at virtually every other high school in town have this privilege, but not South High students. Respectfully, Annette Funk | |
| Lisa Sauder | 12/1/2014 4:40:37 PM |
| I am in support of the final stadium improvements at South Anchorage High School. I believe this will be an asset for our community and the neighborhood. | |
| Jay Goold | 12/1/2014 4:21:57 PM |
| I am in favor of building the new SAHS football stadium. It will be an asset for the community but more importantly for our youth. We must provide positive activities and places that are safe and entertaining. Homeowners in the area have known for many years the sports stadium would be constructed some day. With new facilities at Dimond, West, Bartlett and Service I can't help but wonder why we are having so much trouble at South? Why should the objections of so few spoil it for so many? The times of year and hours are so few I don't understand why the hold up? Please approve for our kids, grandkids and future generations. | |
| Sandra Worsley | 12/1/2014 4:06:53 PM |
| I fully support approving a stadium for South. High school football helps bring communities together. Personally I can think of nothing better than seeing the lights and hearing the games from the loudspeakers. For someone to think of these things as "pollution" is ludicrous. Please go forward with the IMPROVEMENTS of the area and approve the stadium. | |
| Juli Robinson | 12/1/2014 4:06:01 PM |
| I fully support the improvements to the SAHS fields. Planning and Zoning Commission, please listen to everyone, not just the few with deep pockets threatening litigation. Be fair. Our community wants this. | |
| Melinda Evans | 12/1/2014 3:49:17 PM |
| I believe South Anchorage High School should have its own stadium. Baseball and football seasons are short ... this is hardly a huge inconvenience to surrounding neighborhoods who KNEW the school was being built. | |
| Leverette Hoover | 12/1/2014 3:24:32 PM |
| My family and I live in Turnagain View Estates, just down the bike path from the South High school. Yes, we are homeowners in the mentioned HO but I want to make it Clear, that we along with our neighbors, APPROVE the Field upgrades at South High. This is a great opportunity for our school and community. We have lived at this location for 9 years, after moving closer to the school from Spinnaker Dr. We love the area and purchased our property to be closer to the High School. Some of the things you hear from our home owners association, specifically the board, is false information. When they say they have 2/3rds of the home owners against the upgrades, it is false. We have asked for a complete survey to be done with all TVE homeowners, but the board will not do it. People are busy, don't have time to waste attending a meeting, while working with a board that only looks out for their best interest and only communicates to others, what they want folks to hear. We have tried over and over to openly communicate with all homeowners, but continually get shut down. I do not approve how our HOA is managed, basically because it does not support all owners and continually makes up the rules, while changing the bylaws that fit their needs. Additionally, the owners that purchased on the boundary and in this neighborhood, were well aware that they were buying property that was going to have a school on it. The school was zoned several years before TVE was designed. In the original design of TVE, there was to be "no" homes built on the boundary, only those homes across the street. But, due to builder greed and development, zoning approved the additional homes. So, yes, this proves that original as built plans can change. How can we resolve: Limit the number of varsity football games (You will never see a full crowd anyhow), limit the number of other events that require artificial sound and/or lighting, maybe a total of 10 events. No events after 9 PM. Ensure sound barriers are built and in place. I also think the design team has done a great job communicating to the community, the design standards for the project to reduce sound and lighting concerns. Parking - Lock down event, so no access from surrounding neighborhood, make the property only have one point of entry. Authorize all adjoining homeowners to have free access to school events. Make it a win/win for everyone. Please approve the field upgrades at South, it will only improve the community. Respectfully, Mr. & Mrs. Hoover | |
| Matt Subitch | 12/1/2014 3:18:33 PM |
| While I understand the desire of the parents for their students to be able to play football games at SHS, there are concerns from those that live next to, or in close proximity to the school that are valid and those need to be addressed. My family just purchased a home next to SHS and we have one child enrolled. I now understand why the neighbors are concerned about a proposed increased usage of the school grounds, specifically at night. We moved into our new home on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Friday evening were spent sitting with my children, at 11:00 pm, 1:00 am and 3:00 am trying to explain why there was a Nascar Race course at the high school behind our home. Along with over twenty other families, we spent countless hours on the phone with the police asking for help with this situation. We were told by the police dispatcher that they can't just put a police car there all night and that they would do the best they could to get someone over there. I am strong a supporter of sports in Anchorage, (former President of Abbott-o-Rabbit Little League) but I have major concerns with the football stadium issue. I can say without a doubt that I do not support an increased use of the football stadium at SHS due to the activities we have put up with the first three nights in our new home. My concerns are that this kind of activity will only get worse with evening football activities. There is one way that I would agree to expansion of the football program at SHS. There would have to be a locked gate at all entrances to the high school and they would have to be locked at 11:00 pm, ALL SEVEN NIGHTS OF THE WEEK! Exemptions to this lock up time would only be made if there was APD security on site during the open times. If the parents of the football families (through a surcharge) are willing to fund APD patrol cars to be in place on the football evenings, I would support the use of SHS for six football games per year. | |
| Marian Street | 12/1/2014 3:15:39 PM |
| As a parent of 3 children that have attended SAHS and very involved in the after school sports, I am in full support of completion of the Varsity stadium. What better investment than in our youth!! The children are our future of Anchorage and should have a home field. My husband and I are strong supporters of the South High Field Improvements. We attended the SAHS Community Meeting on 9/30/14 and participated in the comments session. ASD has worked hard to address and mitigate the concerns raised by the President of the Turnagain View Estates HOA. I believe the proposed mitigations (8-foot screening fence, special lights and speakers to reduce possible noise and light issues, etc.) sufficiently address any possible issues the stadium will pose. Currently, South High is the only high school in Anchorage without stadium approval. In fairness, South High should be afforded the same amenities as the other schools. More importantly, having a home stadium is a tremendous benefit to the South High community - for the students of South and the families that live in the surrounding neighborhoods. As our children move on in live, we would look forward to the day when I can go to South with my family to watch football games and support our high school at their own home field. Lastly, We will be the only school to utilize Anchorage Football Stadium, which to my understanding is rented from the city for tens of thousands of dollars (if not more). AFS is falling apart. Some of the buildings on the complex have been condemned. The concessions stand should be condemned from use. It is filthy and when used we had persist problems with the electrical fuses blowing - another safety issue. The location is not ideal and safety is questionable in the parking lot after games - and parking is a regular issue because of events at Sullivan and Ben Boeke. I implore Anchorage Planning and Zoning to amended the permit for the stadium modifications. | |
| Suzanne Baker | 12/1/2014 3:07:04 PM |
| As an Alaskan pioneer & 30yr resident of the Anchorage hillside - I most absolutely support the building of the South High School sports Stadium!!! There is emphatically NO better improvement to a community than supporting our young people (future development!!) & anything that encourages & supports their GOOD behaviour & excellance (& winning STATE championships consistently!!!) They absolutely DESERVE their new stadium (which is already PAID for also!!!!) For the opposers, naysayers & grumblers about "noise, etc.") would they rather have bored unmotivated teens getting into trouble & cruising his neighborhood in gangs & vandalizing instead???? No hard choice here!!!! Only a GREAT JOY to go watch our kids play their sports & EXCEL in ALL their endeavors!!!!! LET'S GETTER DONE!!!! | |
| James Bentz | 12/1/2014 2:10:16 PM |
| I am 100% in favor of the proposed football stadium at South Anchorage High School. I am respectful of the concerns raised by the Turnagainview Estates Homeowner's Association however I am disappointed at their unwillingness to bend on the matter. I have seen a lot of effort by ASD to address concerns and offer solutions. It is unfortunate that the needs of a vocal few have been outweighing the needs of the many. Without approval, South High School students will be the only ones in Anchorage that will be deprived of a football stadium. South High School serves a lot of families in the community, not just residents Turnagainview Estates. Please consider our voices as well and do the right thing. A football stadium at South High School will be good for the students and good for the community. | |
| Janet Henry | 12/1/2014 1:13:10 PM |
| I am in total support for a football stadium at SAHS. Encouraging sports, school pride & being able to attend a game in your own neighborhood are all positive things. I am someone who would be impacted by the stadium traffic but feel that is a small sacrifice to make to support the school. | |
| arick grim | 12/1/2014 12:37:19 PM |
| South Anchorage High School is one of the fastest progressing high schools on the area. From day 1 has had a commitment to producing greatness on so many levels. South deserves this improvement. The community is behind it and the students. A school that takes that much pride in their students and school deserves everything. | |
| Angela Schwartz | 12/1/2014 12:06:03 PM |
| Re: SH stadium. This is a desirable improvement for the community and should be seen as benefit for many. Its too easy to dismiss the needs of our young when only adults have the ultimate inputs about community infrastructure. A new stadium is a worthwhile investment for our future generations as well as an investment that makes the surrounding residential areas more desirable for all in the community. | |
| Steve Taylor | 12/1/2014 12:03:18 PM |
| I am in support of the SAHS improvements. If you were to look and any high school blueprint 10 - 15 years ago, all fields were called PRACTICE. Fast forward to 2014, we build them with seating now. IT is the TVEHA that is lying by bring this up at every turn, not ASD. | |
| Kari Carter | 12/1/2014 11:55:11 AM |
| We are in full support of the proposed football stadium at South High School. Schools help build strong neighborhoods and school activities add to the development of our children. Our students are the future of Anchorage. Please support their future by approving this project. | |
| Sara ashton | 12/1/2014 11:49:59 AM |
| show of support for th football stadium and development of our youth | |
| Jennifer adams | 12/1/2014 11:44:15 AM |
| I am in full support of the stadium being built. The students need a home field. They are the only ones without. | |
| Mike Akers | 12/1/2014 11:43:30 AM |
| I support any and all of the completion of the improvments at SAHS, although I am unable to live in an area that has ESTATES in it, I do live in the area. With a large family, I am unable to load everyone in the car to take downtown. I am able to walk with the family to south. Lets stop worrying about the choosen few who choose to live in ESATES and worry about the many who do not. | |
| Deborah Knudsen | 12/1/2014 11:28:29 AM |
| I am in full support of the proposed football stadium at South High School. Schools help build strong neighborhoods and school activities add to the development of strong schools and well rounded students. Our students are the future of Anchorage. Support their future by approving this project. | |
| Janet Moore | 12/1/2014 11:19:00 AM |
| We are in full support of completion of the South High School Stadium . What better investment than our youth ! This approval will benefit our entire community ! Please make this happen now ! It's obvious the support for this completion is huge and I thank you for your consideration. | |
| allen black | 12/1/2014 10:40:02 AM |
| The primary concern is noise, light pollution, and safety concerns to the adjacent neighborhood. In order to initially pass the school bonds, ASD stated in writing "no varsity sports' would be played at South High. The funded and planned fields were to be used for practice and non-varsity competition. The campus is too small for a high school when measured by strict interpretation of the ASD campus size minimum. Since built, the space allocated for softball has been diverted to a varsity/American Legion baseball stadium. The citizen available space has shrunk. Youth teams are excluded from the fenced baseball stadium. The school is not a part of the neighboring community. The ASD spokesman has stated that the stadium would be utilized for maximum economic benefit. He did not state what other uses might be made of the stadium. I use yet another rejection of this latest proposal which solves no problems. | |
| Reilly Brown | 12/1/2014 10:24:21 AM |
| I'm a South alumni football player. Attempts were made when I was a senior to get this project approved. It's really a shame that a few loud naysayers have prevented this. Enough is enough. South should have a home field. It's good for the school and the surrounding community. I look forward to going to home games to support my alma mater. Thank you. | |
| Evan Brown | 12/1/2014 10:20:06 AM |
| I am a freshman at South High and really want this stadium to be built so that I can play at my home field. Please approve the stadium. | |
| Aaron Brown | 12/1/2014 10:18:09 AM |
| I am in full support of the stadium project. It would be a shame for the P&Z Commission to not approve this project. | |
| Tisha Cummings | 12/1/2014 10:02:35 AM |
| Zoning should be amended to permit Stadium Modifications. The proposed revisions allow the stadium to coexist with the existing land use. I strongly support the stadium. | |
| Raymond Moore | 12/1/2014 10:00:05 AM |
| I am 100% in favor of the SAHS improvments. Time to get this done! | |
| Gillian Brody | 12/1/2014 9:48:53 AM |
| please go forward with the Stadium! Playing sports keep kids out of trouble. These are good kids that deserve a good place to play!!! | |
| Mike & Molly McCauley | 12/1/2014 9:39:12 AM |
| I am in full support of the stadium at south high school. I find it very disappointing that the opinion and complaint of a few - primarily ONE - can cause the entire student body and community to be denied the completion of an already funded multi-sport stadium. This a tradition that every other high school in ASD currently enjoys and that South also has the right to experience. Do the right thing. Please. | |
| Dawna Pearson | 11/30/2014 8:33:35 PM |
| Zoning should be amended to permit Stadium Modifications. The proposed revisions allow the stadium to coexist with the existing land use. I strongly support the stadium. | |
| Elizabeth Vollstedt | 11/30/2014 6:40:19 PM |
| I have two students at SAHS and personally feel that the school needs a true football stadium. It is important to the school and to the community to be able to have the pride that comes with home field advantage during the football season. We live 2 miles from SAHS and specifically selected our neighborhood due to its proximity to SAHS. This is the school that we chose to send our sons to--when they were in elementary school. We look forward to bring able to attend football games at the school and feel that the stadium would be a welcome asset to SAHS and to the surrounding community! | |
| Lisa West | 11/29/2014 7:04:05 PM |
| I strongly support these field improvements. The positive impacts these improvements will have on the South Side Anchorage Community are immeasurable. The biggest impacts these improvements will have on the South Side Anchorage Community will be what the other ASD high school communities have discovered with their own new fields: a sense of community and bringing that community together to support our youth in a way that we haven't been able to before. | |
| Vicki Curtis | 11/29/2014 6:49:10 PM |
| i am in complete support of this project. The facility is a needed and would be a welcome addition to an already wonderful school as well as great programs of boys football, girls football, soccer and track and field! | |
| Anastasia Brown | 11/29/2014 10:44:09 AM |
| I am a mother to six boys and live in a buffering neighborhood to South High. We moved here because of the close proximity to the high school. My boys are very involved in extracurricular activities, including athletics at South. My husband and I are strong supporters of the South High Field Improvements. We attended the SAHS Community Meeting on 9/30/14 and participated in the comments session. ASD has worked hard to address and mitigate the concerns raised by the President of the Turnagain View Estates HOA. I believe the proposed mitigations (8-foot screening fence, special lights and speakers to reduce possible noise and light issues, etc.) sufficiently address any possible issues the stadium will pose. Currently, South High is the only high school in Anchorage without stadium approval. In fairness, South High should be afforded the same amenities as the other schools. More importantly, having a home stadium is a tremendous benefit to the South High community - for the students of South and the families that live in the surrounding neighborhoods. I look forward to the day when I can walk to South with my family to watch football games and support our high school at their own home field. Lastly, We will be the only school to utilize Anchorage Football Stadium, which to my understanding is rented from the city for tens of thousands of dollars (if not more). AFS is falling apart. Some of the buildings on the complex have been condemned. The concessions stand should be condemned from use. It is filthy and when used we had persist problems with the electrical fuses blowing - another safety issue. The location is not ideal and safety is questionable in the parking lot after games - and parking is a regular issue because of events at Sullivan and Ben Boeke. I implore Anchorage Planning and Zoning to approve the project. | |