Wow, it has been a weekend of a lot of activity. Many of us have been talking back and forth about how to effect change. I've seen Tom Hayden going up and down Morriss Rd talking to citizens like he is back on the campaign trail. As you know, of the 3 council members elected in May, Tom had the strongest statements against the Morriss Road project. He campaigned with a slogan of "Citizens First" and I think he is living up to that.
+ Tom Hayden said he supports the citizens and the citizens don't support this road project at this time.
+ Mike Wallace said he thinks the road project is needed, but that he wouldn't support turning dirt until 2011.
+ Steve Dixon said he thinks Morriss should be widened some time before it is needed ([Steve's] example: if the road is needed in 7 years, then we should build it in 5 or 6 years.
+ Al Filidoro and Jean Levenick have no [meaningful] public statements on the record.
We as StopMorriss6, we as Morriss/Gerault residents, we as citizens who care about our Town and our quality of life, we have made a difference. It feels to us like we have been speaking, but not heard; that we have serious concerns that are being dismissed. That is not true. Our message is being heard. We forced them to double their efforts to spoon us the same tired spiel about why their first plan was such a good one. And yes, the Transportation Commission rebuffed all of our attempts to have them reconsider decisions made during the 2009 Master Thoroughfare Planning process (where Morriss Rd was not represented). But there is a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes on account of us speaking up for ourselves and our neighbors.
And the Council is very concerned that this project as originally conceived is not viable for the citizens. They might have been hoping we'd go away by now or that the Staff PowerPoints would settle us down; they did not and we will not go away. This is important to all of us and the fact that we are still turning out for Council meetings shows them just how important this is to the Town's citizens.
Here is a dose of reality for us all: the Council will not do an about-face and vote to put the brakes on this project on Monday night. As much as we would like it, we just don't see that happening no matter how articulate our statements are. But that doesn't mean we won't see change on Monday night. They've heard that the original plan was unacceptable and there is a lot of support to make amendments to that plan. We have to stand up and advocate what is acceptable:
(1) That we won't accept a fast-track road construction schedule. The construction of anything on Morriss and Gerault should be commensurate with the need.
(2) That 6-lane roads are fundamentally un-safe for pedestrians. We will only support "improvement" if it does in fact improve pedestrian safety.
(3) That we won't sit back and wait for the design engineers to tell us what we have to live with. We want meaningful input and feedback throughout the design process.
(4) That [nearly] every single neighborhood lining Morriss and Gerault has tough issues created by past development decisions that did not really anticipate a 6-lane road. One-size will not fit all. We have schools, we have access concerns, we have sidewalk problems, we have fencing issues, and more.
(5) That all solutions and options should be on the table.
We point to precedent that the Flower Mound Rd extension of FM 3040 into Wellington was once going to be a 6-lane road but the citizens said no. We are citizens too. Show up at Town Hall on Monday night and we will see change. If we continue to advocate for what is important, right, and just; we will see response.
Anyone can make public comments during the meeting opening, but we don't have to use that this time. The Council has heard our message that this is important to us. They made this a public hearing item, so we will get to both ask questions and state our support/opposition when the agenda item comes up. Our questions will be focused on the meaning and interpretation of the written motion (Agenda Item #8). And our concerns, support, and opposition will be made during the following public comment period. The decision makers will be standing right in front of us, there is no better opportunity to show our convictions.
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I'll comment on my own posting...
ReplyDeleteWe all have varying degrees of opposition to this road project. Many of us would like to take a very hard stand against this. To throw it out and come up with a new plan because this plan is not liked by so many.
Our goal is to inform citizens and effect change. Reality is that we showed up late to this fight. So much happened before anyone knew what was going on, and blame lies on both sides. We have been penalized because we showed up so late which has also handcuffed what we can do.
I apologize to those who may feel like we are not taking a strong enough stand here. I personally have serious concerns that I am fearful will not be met in subsequent project planning.
I'll say that the strength of our stand will not be measured by what we put on this blog. The strength of our stand will be measured at the pulpit in Town Hall.
My belief is that improvements can be made to the flow of Morriss if people belive it's congested.
ReplyDeleteWidening at Morriss and Cross Timbers intersection to support more or longer turn lanes.
I really see no other backups on Morriss until you get to 407 and it's a mess there. All the traffic piles up going towards Lantana and people are unable at times to even take a left turn which block traffic trying to go straight into Highland Village.
That would go away once 2499 is opened up completely and if they would 4 lane 407 in a timely manner.
Only other suggestion is that near the Jr High on Morriss is that they carve out the median and shift traffic over one lane so two lanes can procede past the school and parents can wait on thier kids although I see no reason other than inclement weather that parents have to pick up Jr High aged children. Make them walk and get some excercize.
I could not agree with you more Corey. Your observations and suggestions are 100% valid.
ReplyDeleteOur problem is that we are past that. 2 years ago we could have stood up and said that a 6-lane Morriss was not necessary and they should apply for funding for those other roads or for a smaller scope for Morriss Rd. We could have successfully lobbied for a better plan for the Morriss/Gerault corridor.
But now that there is a $22M war chest, no one will listen to these arguments. They have tacit approval for the project from the 2009 Thoroughfare Plan (with no input from Morriss Rd residents), they have a green light for Riverwalk, and they have the money. It would be a tough row to hoe both politically and logistically for them to throw out this plan and create a new plan.
We are asking for reasonable compromise tonight. We can advocate that they do this right. That they address what needs to be addressed. That they slow down the project and do it commensurate with the need.
10,000 people live within 400 yards of Morriss and Gerault. It affects at least this many people if not more. We have to pay the price so Riverwalk retail can survive, so Riverwalk can have dense residential condos and apartments, so that [eventually] Denton commuters have an alternate route to I35W and I35E. They honestly believe this is an acceptable price to pay for the good of all of Flower Mound. If we have to pay this price, then we deserve to be listened to. Thank goodness this is a public hearing.
Had to quit watching the meeting around 11pm.. thank god some people have some common sense on the council.
ReplyDeleteI am happy if they approved phase 1, Flyover and phase 2 in 6-8 years. I just love how the Mayor immediately began the process to get around that.
I also am annoyed how she berated Mr Hayden publicly for asking valid questions that the public had asked him. Air quality, noise, and drainage are valid issues.
Just finished watching that approval to wait on widening for 6 years. I can be happy with that.
However, the flyover is a complete waste of money and will create an entire mess getting out of town for a good amount of time. It had better include getting rid of that light added at those apartments past Gerault.
The town had better become involved in the DFW connector.
Also that's a crock, no bid process for professional services. I dont care if it's not required by state law, it's laziness on thier part for not doing it, and a classic waste of our money.