Many in the area are uninformed of TxDOT's plans and wanted to know why taxpayers haven't had enough opportunities for public input.
Residents complain about Hwy. 46 plans
Precinct 2 petitioners claim TxDOT didn't given enough notice of public hearing
By KURT MOGONYE - Staff Writer
The Boerne Star
Copyright 2005
Concerned residents along TxDOT's proposed 'eastern corridors' that would link Hwy 46 and Interstate 10 crowded Kendall County commissioners' courtroom Monday morning to offer a resolution and ask commissioners to carefully consider costs and impact the road would have on the county.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Gene Miertschin placed the item on the agenda to hear from a group of his constituents and to allow the court to take action.
The residents, led by Tom Robertson, claimed the lack of public notice by the Texas Department of Transportation led many residents in the area to be uninformed of the proposal. Robertson presented a resolution entitled, 'Recall the Proposed Boerne Relief Routes' to County Judge Eddie Vogt and asked the court to adopt it.
When Robertson was called to the front of the courtroom, he asked those who supported the resolution to stand - more than 50 in the audience rose. He said that a petition was started last Wednesday and by the end of the week the group had collected over 500 signatures.
He said that residents in the area are concerned that their lifestyle could be damaged if the proposed corridor makes its way across Old Fredericksburg Road and east and north beyond Ammann Road. Robertson said many in the area are uninformed of TxDOT's plans and wanted to know why taxpayers haven't had enough opportunities for public input.
"Residents near north and south Ammann believe this road will threaten the quality of life in the area," said Rod Fowler as he spoke on behalf of the large crowd. "Structures of historic significance and wildlife habitats will be destroyed."
Following a survey of residents in the area, Fowler noted that only five of 120 people petitioned knew what TxDOT has proposed, and claimed that the highway department has a lax attitude about informing the public.
During public comment on the issue, commissioners were asked to consider carefully the full costs and impact that are associated with the proposed development.
The petition to the court states, "We recommend that the Kendall County Commissioners and TxDOT fully consider all alternatives to the 'Eastern Corridors' including: Focus on IH-10 interchange needs; expedite an upgrade of RM 3351; expedite widening of Hwy 46; upgrade Ammann Road and reexamine the proposed Herff Road upgrade."
Todd Dutson, a member of the Kendall Point Homeowner's Association board, said that his neighborhood's governing body is opposed to the corridor because it will pass through the only entrance into their subdivision and asked the court to reconsider the issue.
Harold Zuflacht, who lives on Old Fredericksburg Road, said that there is even more to lose along the proposed route than just habitat and the serenity of the land.
"Cyclists and joggers who frequent the current roads have a lot to lose," Zuflacht said, "and obtaining signatures for our petition has not been difficult."
He also warned that once more information is passed along to residents in the area and general public, there will be more diversity among those who disagree and the opposition will continue to grow.
To alleviate the costs of the proposed corridor and disruption of homes and ranches in the area, those speaking said it would make more sense to modify or expand on present roadways, instead of the state having to purchase additional right-of-way.
Another resident on Old Fredericksburg Road, Bill Thomas, said he met with Judy Friesenhahn, transportation planning director from TxDOT's San Antonio office.
Thomas said that she advised him that TxDOT was in the process of seeking public input and said it was very important to them prior to choosing a final route. Thomas was also told that TxDOT would present the selected route to the commissioners for their approval or rejection sometime later this fall.
At the conclusion of his comments, Thomas then called for the commissioners to respond to public input and asked how they stand on the corridor issue.
"It is still too early in the process," said Vogt, "but I do see traffic increasing in the future in Boerne, and see a need for a relief route. I'm willing to look at all options."
Precinct 2 Commissioner Ann Reissig said she understood the frustration residents were dealing with. "I think there are some current routes that can be fixed or improved and feel that more public input should be sought."
Miertschin said he is personally affected and concerned about the lack of participation after discovering that many in the area had not been informed.
"I want to know what the needs are and what the purpose of this bypass really is," Miertschin said, "and fall back to re-determine the need and process for planning."
Miertschin, who lives in the area, said he heard about the public hearing only a week before it was held.
"I thought this was kind of strange. I was notified basically at the same time you all were," he told the audience. "And I would like to get our other local government entities involved and gather much more public input."
Precinct 4 Commissioner Russell "Rusty" Busby also called for more public input, stating that he would definitely support the recommendations presented at Monday's meeting.
"If it were going through my precinct, I would want to go through the same five points from your letter that was presented to us," Busby said.
When contacted after the meeting, Friesenhahn said her office is conducting the planning process as they would in any other community.
"This is a standard process in the development of planning proposed routes," she said, "and we feel it is very important to gather input from residents that may be affected."
According to Friesenhahn, TxDOT has received numerous letters and her office is responding to them. Most residents, she said, are upset that TxDOT has prepared maps of several proposed routes and released them for public viewing and comment. Friesenhahn said several residents believe that because those maps were released, it will have a negative impact on their property values.
So far, TxDOT has held one public hearing June 23 in Boerne. Friesenhahn said at least one more hearing will be held, possibly two depending on how much feedback TxDOT receives. A separate hearing for proposed expansion of Herff and Old San Antonio Roads was held on July 21. As of now, no date has been set for the second hearing, but it will occur sometime this fall.
Friesenhahn said she welcomes residents to call her office with questions or more information at 210-615-2500, or call Jesse Hayes at 210-615-5860.
"There are several developments currently going on with RM 3351, Hwy 46 and IH-10 and we'd like everyone to know what we have planned," Friesenhahn said, " but we will be, as we always are, in touch with county leadership about these planned proposals."
The Boerne Star: www.boernestar.com
Precinct 2 petitioners claim TxDOT didn't given enough notice of public hearing
By KURT MOGONYE - Staff Writer
The Boerne Star
Copyright 2005
Concerned residents along TxDOT's proposed 'eastern corridors' that would link Hwy 46 and Interstate 10 crowded Kendall County commissioners' courtroom Monday morning to offer a resolution and ask commissioners to carefully consider costs and impact the road would have on the county.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Gene Miertschin placed the item on the agenda to hear from a group of his constituents and to allow the court to take action.
The residents, led by Tom Robertson, claimed the lack of public notice by the Texas Department of Transportation led many residents in the area to be uninformed of the proposal. Robertson presented a resolution entitled, 'Recall the Proposed Boerne Relief Routes' to County Judge Eddie Vogt and asked the court to adopt it.
When Robertson was called to the front of the courtroom, he asked those who supported the resolution to stand - more than 50 in the audience rose. He said that a petition was started last Wednesday and by the end of the week the group had collected over 500 signatures.
He said that residents in the area are concerned that their lifestyle could be damaged if the proposed corridor makes its way across Old Fredericksburg Road and east and north beyond Ammann Road. Robertson said many in the area are uninformed of TxDOT's plans and wanted to know why taxpayers haven't had enough opportunities for public input.
"Residents near north and south Ammann believe this road will threaten the quality of life in the area," said Rod Fowler as he spoke on behalf of the large crowd. "Structures of historic significance and wildlife habitats will be destroyed."
Following a survey of residents in the area, Fowler noted that only five of 120 people petitioned knew what TxDOT has proposed, and claimed that the highway department has a lax attitude about informing the public.
During public comment on the issue, commissioners were asked to consider carefully the full costs and impact that are associated with the proposed development.
The petition to the court states, "We recommend that the Kendall County Commissioners and TxDOT fully consider all alternatives to the 'Eastern Corridors' including: Focus on IH-10 interchange needs; expedite an upgrade of RM 3351; expedite widening of Hwy 46; upgrade Ammann Road and reexamine the proposed Herff Road upgrade."
Todd Dutson, a member of the Kendall Point Homeowner's Association board, said that his neighborhood's governing body is opposed to the corridor because it will pass through the only entrance into their subdivision and asked the court to reconsider the issue.
Harold Zuflacht, who lives on Old Fredericksburg Road, said that there is even more to lose along the proposed route than just habitat and the serenity of the land.
"Cyclists and joggers who frequent the current roads have a lot to lose," Zuflacht said, "and obtaining signatures for our petition has not been difficult."
He also warned that once more information is passed along to residents in the area and general public, there will be more diversity among those who disagree and the opposition will continue to grow.
To alleviate the costs of the proposed corridor and disruption of homes and ranches in the area, those speaking said it would make more sense to modify or expand on present roadways, instead of the state having to purchase additional right-of-way.
Another resident on Old Fredericksburg Road, Bill Thomas, said he met with Judy Friesenhahn, transportation planning director from TxDOT's San Antonio office.
Thomas said that she advised him that TxDOT was in the process of seeking public input and said it was very important to them prior to choosing a final route. Thomas was also told that TxDOT would present the selected route to the commissioners for their approval or rejection sometime later this fall.
At the conclusion of his comments, Thomas then called for the commissioners to respond to public input and asked how they stand on the corridor issue.
"It is still too early in the process," said Vogt, "but I do see traffic increasing in the future in Boerne, and see a need for a relief route. I'm willing to look at all options."
Precinct 2 Commissioner Ann Reissig said she understood the frustration residents were dealing with. "I think there are some current routes that can be fixed or improved and feel that more public input should be sought."
Miertschin said he is personally affected and concerned about the lack of participation after discovering that many in the area had not been informed.
"I want to know what the needs are and what the purpose of this bypass really is," Miertschin said, "and fall back to re-determine the need and process for planning."
Miertschin, who lives in the area, said he heard about the public hearing only a week before it was held.
"I thought this was kind of strange. I was notified basically at the same time you all were," he told the audience. "And I would like to get our other local government entities involved and gather much more public input."
Precinct 4 Commissioner Russell "Rusty" Busby also called for more public input, stating that he would definitely support the recommendations presented at Monday's meeting.
"If it were going through my precinct, I would want to go through the same five points from your letter that was presented to us," Busby said.
When contacted after the meeting, Friesenhahn said her office is conducting the planning process as they would in any other community.
"This is a standard process in the development of planning proposed routes," she said, "and we feel it is very important to gather input from residents that may be affected."
According to Friesenhahn, TxDOT has received numerous letters and her office is responding to them. Most residents, she said, are upset that TxDOT has prepared maps of several proposed routes and released them for public viewing and comment. Friesenhahn said several residents believe that because those maps were released, it will have a negative impact on their property values.
So far, TxDOT has held one public hearing June 23 in Boerne. Friesenhahn said at least one more hearing will be held, possibly two depending on how much feedback TxDOT receives. A separate hearing for proposed expansion of Herff and Old San Antonio Roads was held on July 21. As of now, no date has been set for the second hearing, but it will occur sometime this fall.
Friesenhahn said she welcomes residents to call her office with questions or more information at 210-615-2500, or call Jesse Hayes at 210-615-5860.
"There are several developments currently going on with RM 3351, Hwy 46 and IH-10 and we'd like everyone to know what we have planned," Friesenhahn said, " but we will be, as we always are, in touch with county leadership about these planned proposals."
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posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, September 30, 2005
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