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1 JANISCH Amy C From:Scott Wiskur <Minnesinger@comcast.net> Sent:Tuesday, June 09, 2015 2:07 PM To:KNAPP Jennifer L Cc:'Kristina' Subject:South Willamette Special Area Zone and Design Code - High Street Dear Ms. Knapp and members of the Planning Commission – I’m writing to voice my concerns over elements of the South Willamette Special Area Zone and Design Code. Specifically, those elements which I believe will have a deleterious effect on the livability and quality of life for residents on the 2800 block of High Street. I am a 12‐year occupant homeowner on this block. Currently, the 2700 and 2800 blocks of High St are frequently used as a bypass for vehicles utilizing Amazon Parkway in lieu of Willamette to access the south end of town. High St is unique among other residential streets in the area as it offers the only direct thoroughfare from the parkway to 29th. In its current state, the frequency of traffic and the excessive rate of speed at which vehicles habitually travel is a nuisance. This will only become compounded when the redesign of Willamette is implemented. While I am in favor of the redesign of Willamette as I feel it will achieve a net benefit, I am asking that consideration be given to the peripheral consequences and that preventative, traffic‐calming measures be taken by the commission to protect the quality of life for residents most impacted; namely, those of us who live on the 2800 block of High St. Once Willamette St is reconfigured, I would like to see a renewed traffic survey on High St from 27th‐29th. I understand that a survey was undertaken in 2008 and at the time the data did not support traffic calming measures being implemented. I firmly believe that once Willamette is reconfigured, bypass traffic will spike considerably on these blocks. Should a renewed survey determine this to be true, I would like to see High St closed to through traffic at 28th in similar fashion to Alder St from 18th – 24th. The 2800 block of High St is much narrower than the 2700 block, as well as nearby Pearl and Oak. It is ill‐suited to support additional traffic flow; especially if one considers the absence of sidewalks on the block. Out of necessity, pedestrians and cyclists must use the street path as a byway. If it is indeed the vision of the commission and the SWSAZDC to create “an attractive, healthy, walkable neighborhood” then consideration must also be given not only to the Willamette corridor, but also the arterials most affected. The 2800 block of High St will undoubtedly be deleteriously affected. Also, I understand there is a proposal to relegate street parking to one side of High St. I am strongly against this as I feel it would be counterproductive to the stated goals of the commission. With increased density in the area it does not seem prudent to effectively reduce parking on the street by half. Moreover, in its current configuration, cars parked on both sides of the street serve as somewhat of a traffic impediment. Creating an unencumbered ‘straight shot’ down the length of High St (as opposed to the current ‘zig‐zag’ with cars on both sides) will do nothing more than encourage those who are unmindful of speed to further abuse the limits. Frankly, it’s a bad idea and I can’t conceive of a beneficial outcome to the proposal. The only circumstance in which single‐sided street parking would be viable would be if the street were closed to through traffic. I appreciate that the issues you must address are multi‐faceted. Nonetheless, I would hope that the needs and livability of residents in the district are given priority over visitors and other users. The residents of the 2800 block of High St will undoubtedly be negatively affected by the redesign of Willamette. Please include us in your vision to encourage a pedestrian‐ oriented, walkable, healthy and attractive neighborhood. I thank you for your time and measured consideration on the matter. Scott Wiskur 2835 High St.