There are a couple of documents you should familiarize yourself with.
The first is “The Summary of Findings and Recommendations to the Land Study for Westside PSB Properties” done by URS and dated April 2009. URS was the consulting firm behind El Paso’s stormwater plan. My upload of this public document shows the summary (page 5) first followed by the report pages 1 – 4. Why is the report interesting? Because, in light of the 2006 flood, the URS study shows a number of major problems with PSB’s Westside Master Plan, the plan that the PSB is so resolute to preserve against NOS zoning as well as SmartCode. One of the arguments used by PSB brass against NOS zoning was that the re-zoning would mean an additional expense to re-do the master plan which they stated was done for over $700,000. Even before any talk about saving the Scenic Transmountain Corridor, the URS study revealed in 2009 that the plan would have to be overhauled. Funny how PSB brass forgot to mention that little tidbit in their propaganda onslaught.
The other document you may want to take the time to read is the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s letter to TxDOT stating their concerns about the proposed Transmountain road project. One would certainly hope that a reason for finding that the road project will have a significant impact and requires further study is that the current design does not address Parks and Wildlife’s concerns about a wildlife crossing and a safe entrance into the Tom Mays Unit of the State Park. A recent architectural competition revealed that it is possible to design a wildlife crossing that handles traffic, protects motorists and wildlife, and preserves a local ecosystem.
There are other reasons why further study of TxDOT’s cookie-cutter design for Transmountain is necessary. As Chairman Charlie Wakeem explained in a note to Mr. Gregory Punske, the District Engineer for the Federal Highway Administration, the Open Space Advisory Board has pointed out that:
“. . . the scenic foothills of the Franklin Mountains start from the El Paso Natural Gas Line Road about half way between I-10 and the Tom Mays entrance. One half mile of the 3.3 mile TxDOT project is designed to accommodate commercial development which would eliminate two significant hillsides and one arroyo within the scenic corridor. We also recommended moving the future Paseo Del Norte crossing within the scenic corridor west one half mile to the Gas Line Rd., thereby eliminating an unnecessary overpass.”
Another very good reason is the sentiment against widening Transmountain beyond grade east of the Gas Line Road. That sentiment is expressed in the response to two current petitions and an online petition and growing opposition now that more people are learning about the issues regarding Transmountain and the Westside Master Plan. BTW, the online petition has been revived to allow people who are not City of El Paso residents or registered voters to express their desire to see land preserved north and south of Transmountain Road.
The two petitions intended to become ballot initiatives have now been signed by approximately 1300 persons. 1547 plus several hundred extra for fool proofing is the target. Gatherers will be out this Saturday along Resler Road between Helen of Troy and Transmountain to gather signatures. Key locations on Mesa are targeted next along with some popular events.
Finally, the January 2011 issue of the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park newsletter is now available online.
E-letter for 01/27/11
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