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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence PLANNER 8/1/2008 Call: Also from or ok to ment;"n concurrence of Jeri and Jesse Covin~"n (988-3108), Ju... Page 1 of 1 " L1MBIRD Andrew From: lIMBIRD Andrew Sent: Friday, August 01,20083:36 PM To: 'Dianna Larsen' Subject: RE: Peace Health- Midwifery Birth Center Thanks Dianna, I will place the updated letter in the file., Here's the text from the previous message I sent: "Thanks Ms, Larsen, your comments will be kept in the penmanent case files and forwarded to the developer for their consideration, Additionally, the comments will be addressed in the staff reports for the site plan review and tree felling applications. Copies of the decisions will be sent to you when they are issued, If you have any questions please let me know by email or call (541) 726-3784." Andy Limbird City of Springfield From: Dianna Larsen [mailto:diannal@oslc.org] Sent: Friday, August 01,20083:04 PM To: LIMBIRD Andrew Subject: RE: Peace Health- Midwifery Birth Center Andy, I've made a few fairly insignificant changes-but I feel a little better about having it read, Obviously, I don't know your department's language, but I hope the points are clear. If not, just let me know, I also changed the date on the new version, so that the old one can easily be identified, The current version is 25 July 2008, Do you happen to have a copy of the message you sent while I was out of town? It described the path that the permit and accompanying materials will take, When I returned, the message was gone, Not necessary, but please resend, if that's easy to do, Thanks to you-' Dianna Larsen From: Dianna Larsen Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:27 PM To: 'alimbird@cLspringfield.or.us' Subject: Peace Health- Midwifery Birth Center Hello. Andy- I put something together and met with neighbors last night. I hope the attached letter is adequate for your purposes. ' When printed, it's been loosing its underlines, which highlight the main requests: 1. limit tree cutting 2. Use pervious surfacing 3. Create adequate onsite drainage Will you somehow guide readers to those points. if necessary? If you need clarification within the next Y.> hour or so, I'll be available. Thanks for your telephone time and for seeing this document along its route- Dianna Larsen 8/1/2008 , . 8 /f/~O{ Date Recelved'---T7 Planner: AL 25 July 2008 To: Andy Urn bird, City of Springfield, Urban Planning Division Re: Proposed Peace Health Midwifery Birth Center at 353 Deadmond Ferry Road, Springfield, OR 97477 Dear Mr, Limbird, I live next door to the proposed Peace Health Midwifery Birth Center on Deadmond Ferry Road, and have received the . City's recent notices of their building and tree removal applications, This letter is in response to those. Please route the following comments through appropriate channels so that they might weigh in on decisions. This letter also represents the thoughts of Sally and Bruce Brown: 335 Deadmond Ferry Rd., and Jeri and Jesse Covington and Judi Willis: #349. Peace Health's Philip Farrington (Director, Land Use Planning & Development) had previously mentioned the possibility of this project. His description was of a low-key, low-roofed, Northwest natural residential feel, and a low level of traffic to the Center. Aside from leaving the area as residential or green space, this generally seems a fairly compatible use of the lot from a neighborhood viewpoint. Following are specific concerns regarding the building and the tree removal. Tree.(el'l'lQ,\1a!; It was nearly impossible to read the tiny map accompanying the notice, and the trees themselves (in the yard) don't seem to be marked. It would be useful for these notices to show a Web location wher.e the information can easily be studied. Thanks for later providing that during our phone conversation. Given the relatively large number of trees proposed for removal; we're concerned about the effects on the remaining flora and surrounding properties. Fundamental en'vironmental changes will take place in terms of wildlife habitat, air and soil moisture retention, air quality, drainage, and heat and light. (Homes in this area have the luxury of "natural air-conditioning"-a clean, free energy source which Peace Health can also employ, but which diminishes in efficiency as each tree is removed and replaced by impervious surface.) Y:Jp a.c;.k tha.t thp numhpr of tr<<c;. ("lit hp Iimitfll'r:' t,,:, wh;:llt is nece~sarv for th@ footnrint of th~ actual hllildin,," hut not for, .il.Qortion of the Daved areas. We know that this is not just individual trees, but a system of trees, shrl.!bs, etc. which don't observe property lines. The health of the remaining trees is difficult to measure until it's too late. There seems to be a critical point at which the system's tolerance is over-taxed and fails- in the Eugene/Springfield area, often with a 75' Douglas Fir in someone's kitchen. The spreading nature of the Douglas Fir root system seems to make them particularly dependent on neighboring trees, and susceptible to wind without them. The trees will be further stressed by the construction process and by the permanent covering of roots by impervious materials-all of this, a threat to the tr<;e(disease, falling, pests), and consequent~y, to surrounding properties. In the past, Sperry Tree Care has been hired by Peace Health to work with the trees on the site in question, so they know the property. Alby Thoumsin from Sperry was recently on my property looking east to the target site and lamenting that arborists and architects are not often asked to consult with equal weight well before the drawing and dreaming begin, Perhaps it's not too late to make some small but potent adjustments to the plan. ~ that YOU con5.id~r ClI~p" to ;;!I sit!nificant Dortion of th~ nrono5.pd a.....ooo ..nuClrp f~f imDPrvinu.. "IJrf~ These surfaces shed rainfall and surface pollutants, creating new run off and erosion issues for neighbors and for storm drains into ponds, rivers, lakes, and streams. Instead, pervious pavements are designed to allow percolation or infiltration of storm water through the surface into the soil below it, where the water is naturally filtered, pollutants are removed, roots are fed, and temperatures are mediated. As you know, there are many alternatives for either "porous" (infiltrates water across the entire surface) or permeable (can be formed of impervious material, but allows infiltration through a pattern of voids) surfaces, A combination of Data Reoelved;~/OOO I Planner: AL these could be used to preserve the trees and environment, and to make the Birth Center more aesthetically pleasing. Using bricks, cinders, cobblestones, concrete blocks with planted openings, and/or large void patterns throughout p!'ved areas are some possibilities. This would also be another opportunity for Peace Health to make another "Green Statement". In any case, there needs to be adequate llItiW: drainage, to correspond with the reduced ability of the trees and earth to swallow. Our concern here is that run-off from petroleum-based (or other) pollutants will end up on our properties and in the small wetland and seasonal pond to the south, which (in spite of its "insignificant" classification!) is home to a teeming array of wildlife, is a well-used stop-over for migrating ducks and other birds, and is natural perfection in flood control through decades of weather. Building; . We are concerned about tree-felling damage liability, facility sign age, lighting, privacy, and security both during construction and future operation. You've assured that 10w-mounted,low-watt, downcast outdoor lighting is the new norm, and we assume this would be used at the Birth Center site. If there is to be street signage, neighbors would like to see a small, low sign in a color and style to blend with the natural surroundings. If a street sign is to be lighted, we request the minimum wattage necessary to illuminate- keeping in mind that there is already a high powered street lamp at the entrance to the property, and that OML lights contribute to evening street lighting. The trend for building site theft may bring criminal attention to the site and the neighborhood during construction, We can also expect a g!,odnumber of curious wanderers. How will the site be secured during construction and when operational? We ask that if security cameras are used, they not be trained on our properties, and that barriers are established between properties. Representing Peace Health, Mr. Farrington has always been courteous, responsible and accommodating in all aspects, and we have no doubt that this will be the ongoing case during the Birth Center building project and throughout future facility operation. As these things become known, we would like to be informed of the project timelines and milestones, including any tree felling. We would also like to know whether egress/ingress is planned for the south end of the property. If so, we would like to comment on that issue at another time. This neighborhood is a unique residential oasis- and now "mixed use~'. Mixing uses doesn't necessarily (or even best) imply taking down the old to put up new. Despite some exteriors, this well-established green grove provides a very high quality of living for plants and animals (including humans), whic" be~omes more and more difficult to find, cannot be truly replicated regardless of landscaping skills, and deserves attention toward preservation. It's complex and it works in the strictest sense of the word, and in myriad ways. Though Peace Health may have already addressed these issues responsibly, the comments are nonetheless offered as a general plea for the City to be genuine in attempts to preserve and protect the extraordinary beauty of Springfield- to balance the need for economic growth with a leadership model for green growth and cooperative planning, - Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Dianna Larsen 377 Deadmond Ferry Rd. Springfield, OR 97477 .: 'I: ~lt~ _", :~ ~'''".. .f 'I' -3,,,.- " Call: Also from or ok to mention concurrence of Jeri and Jesse Covll1Oton (988-3108), Ju... Page 1 of 1 L1MBIRD Andre"" From: Dianna Larsen [diannal@oslc.org] Sent: Friday, August 01,20083:04 PM To: L1MBIRD Andrew Subject: RE: Peace Health- Midwifery Birth Center Attachments: Peace Health- Midwifery Birth Center-final.doc Andy, I've made a few fairly insignificant changes-but I feel a little better about having it read. . Obviously, I don't know your department's language, but I hope the points are clear. If not, just let me know, I also changed the date on the new version, so that the old one can easily be identified. The current version is 25 July 2008, Do you happen to have a copy of the message you sent whiie I was out of town? It described the path that the permit and accompanying materials will take, When I returned, the message was gone. Not necessary, but please resend, if that's easy to do. Thanks to you- Dianna Larsen From: Dianna Larsen Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:27 PM To: 'alimbird@ci.springfield.or.us' Subject: Peace Health- Midwifery Birth Center Hello, Andy- I put something together and met with neighbors last night. I hope the attached letter is adequate for your purposes. When printed, it's been loosing its underlines, which highlight the main requests: 1. Limit tree cutting 2. Use pervious surfacing 3. Create adequate OOlite drainage Will you somehow guide readers to those points, if necessary? If you need clarification within the next Y.> hour or so, I'll be available. Thanks for your telephone time and for seeing this document along its route- Dianna Larsen DatEl Received' r//,JPbo' Planner: AI.. 8/1/2008 24 July 2008 To: Andy Umbird, City of Springfield, Urban Planning Division Re: Proposed Peace Health Midwifery Birth Center at 353 Deadmond Ferry Road, Springfield, OR 97477 Dear Mr, Umbird, I live next door to the proposed Peace Health Midwifery Birth Center on Deadmond Ferry Road, and have received the City's recent notices of their building and tree removal applications, This letter is in response to those. Please route the following comments through appropriate channels so that they might weigh in on decisions. This letter also represents the thoughts of Sally and Bruce Brown: 335 Deadmond Ferry Rd., and Jeri and Jesse Covington and Judi Willis: #349. Peace Health's Philip Farrington (Director, Land Use Planning & Development) had previously mentioned the possibility of this project. His description was of a 10w-key,low-roofed, Northwest natural residential feel, and a low level of traffic to the Center. Aside from leaving the area as green space, this generally seems a fairly compatible use of the lot from a neighborhood viewpoint. Following are specific concerns regarding the building and the tree removal. Treeiemoval: It was nearly impossible to read the tiny map accompanying the notice, and the trees themselves (in the yard) don't seem to be marked. It would be useful for these notices to show a Web location where the information can easily be studied. Thanks for later providing that during our phone conversation. Given the relatively large number of trees proposed for removal, we're concerned about the effects on the remaining flora and surrounding properties, Fundamental environmental changes will take place in terms of wildlife habitat, air and soil moisture retention, air quality, drainage, and increased heat and light. W" a<k tt)at thp numh,.r of trpP..$.-CutJJE~ Iimit~d to wh..t ic;. npf'po;;C;:::Iry fn,. thp fnntprint of thuJ:tuaLb..u.ilding, bUlnolfor..aportion of th,. nav,." arPiflS. We know that this is not just individual trees, but a system of trees, shrubs, etc. which don't observe property lines. The health of the remaining trees is difficult to measure until it's too late. There seems to be a critical point at which the system's tolerance is over-taxed and fails- in the Eugene/Springfield area, often with a 75' Douglas Fir in someone's kitchen. The spreading nature of the Douglas Fir root system seems to make them particularly dependant on neighboring trees, and susceptible to wind without them. The trees will be further stressed by the construction process and by the permanent covering of roots by impervious materials-all of this, a threat to the tree (disease, falling, pests), and consequently, to surrounding properties. In the past, Sperry Tree Care has been hired by Peace Health to work with the trees on the site in question, 50 they know the property. Alby Thoumsin from Sperry was recently on my property looking east to the target site and lamenting that arborists and architects are not often asked to consult with equal weight well before the drawing and dreaming begin. Perhaps it's not too 'ate to make some small but potent adjustments to the plan. WI' .."k th~t YOU conddpr altPrna11.'lesj~igni:ficaotrortinn of thp !lro!'oc;pd 0.000 'iouarp fp.et.of impervious surfiilce~ These surfaces shed rainfall and surface pollutants, creating new run off and erosion issues for neighbors and storm drains into rivers, lakes, and streams. Instead, pervious pavements are designed to allow percolation or infiltration of storm water through the surface into the soil below it, where the water is naturally filtered, pollutants are removed, roots are fed, and temperatures are mediated. '. ved' 2/;<//~! tJulu [~\;J("bl .~ /- Planner: AL As you know, there are many alternatives for either "porous" (infiltrates water across the entire surface) or permeable (can be formed of impervious material, but allows infiltration through a pattern of voids) surfaces. A combination of these could be used to preserve the trees and environment, and to make the Birth Center more aesthetically pleasing. Using bricks, cinders, cobblestones, concrete blocks with planted openings, and/or large void patterns throughout paved areas are some possibilities. This would also be another opportunity for Peace Health to make a "green statement". In any case, there needs to be adequate on:si.te drainage, to correspond with the reduced ability of the trees and earth to swallow. Our concern here is that run-off from petroleum-based (or other) will end up on our properties and in the small wetland and seasonal pond to the south, which (in spite of its "insignificant" classification!) is home to a teeming array of wildlife, is a well-used stop-over for migrating ducks and other birds, and is natural perfection in flood control through decades of weather. lJuilding: We are concerned about tree-felling damage liability, facility signage, lighting, privacy, and security both during construction and future operation. You've assured that low-mounted, low-watt, downcast outdoor lighting is the now the norm, and we assume this would be used at the Birth Center site. If there is to be street signage, neighbors would like to see a small, low sign in a color and style to blend with the natural surroundings. If a street sign is to be lighted, we request the minimum wattage necessary to iIIuminate--keeping in mind that there is already a high powered street lamp at the entrance to the property, and that OML lights contribute to evening street lighting. The trend for building site theft may bring criminal attention to the site and the neighborhood during construction. We can also expect a good number of curious wanders. How will the site be secured during construction and when operational? We ask that if security cameras are used, they not be trained on our properties, and that barriers are established between properties. Representing Peace Health, Mr. Farrington has always been courteous, responsible and accommodating in all aspects, and we have no doubt that this will be the ongoing case during the Birth Center building project and throughout future facility operation, As these things become known, we would like to be informed of the project timelines and milestones, including any tree felling. We would also like to know whether egress/ingress is planned for the south end of the property, If so, we would like to comment on that aspect at another time. This neighborhood is a unique residential oasis- and now "mixed use". Mixing uses doesn't necessarily (or even best) imply taking down the old to put up new. Despite some exteriors, this well-established green grove provides a very high quality of living for plants and animals (including humans), which becomes more and more difficult to find, cannot be truly replicated regardless of landscaping skills, and deserves attention toward preservation. It's complex, it's good for humans, it cleans the air, and it works in the strictest sense of the word and in myriad ways. Though Peace Health may have already addressed these issues responsibly, the comments are nonetheless offered as a general plea for the City to be genuine in attempts to preserve and protect the extraordinary beauty of Springfield- to balance the need for economic growth with a leadership model for green growth. Thank you for your consideration, Sincerely, Dianna Larsen 377 Deadmond Ferry Rd, Springfield, OR 974n ~_..' "':~';':;IVtld:~;';MI Planner: AL