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Open House Summary Report - the Texas Department of
Public Open House Summary Report Maintaining Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park El Paso County CSJ: 2552-01-054 Public Open House December 11, 2013 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Canutillo High School Table of Contents 1.0 2.0 3.0 PUBLIC MEETING OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 1 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS ........................................................................................... 2 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 2 Appendices Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Handouts and Comment Forms Meeting Displays Transcript Photographs Newspaper Publications, Notices, and Letters to Elected Officials Sign-In Sheets and Written Comments MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY i Maintaining Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park El Paso County, CSJ: 2552-01-054 1.0 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE OVERVIEW Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Location: Canutillo High School 6675 South Desert Boulevard El Paso, TX 79932 Purpose: To provide information about the proposed project and gather comments from the public. TxDOT was seeking input from the public and stakeholders regarding a newly proposed concept to address connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park. Copies of meeting handouts and the comment form are included in this summary report in Appendix A. Format: The meeting was conducted in an open house format. Between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. various exhibits of the proposed concept, which would provide a connection under Loop 375 between the north and south sides of the Franklin Mountains State Park, were on display while TxDOT staff and consultants were on-hand to answer questions and receive input from the public. Meeting displays are included in this summary report in Appendix B. The TxDOT El Paso District Engineer Mr. Robert Bielek presented a brief summary of the meeting’s intent at 6:30 p.m. A transcript of this presentation is included in Appendix C. Project team members encouraged the public to provide input on the proposed concept, either by filling out a comment form at the meeting, providing a verbal comment to the court reporter, or emailing or mailing a comment form. Photographs from the public meeting are included in Appendix D of this report. Notice Publications: (Appendix E) Mailed Notices: (Appendix E) The El Paso Times – Sunday, November 17, 2013 Sunday, December 1, 2013 El Diario De El Paso – Sunday, November 17, 2013 Sunday, December 1, 2013 Adjacent Property Owners – 6 Elected/Public Officials – 56 Emails to Interested Parties – 75 MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY 1 Attendance: (sign-in sheets provided in Appendix F) Members of the Public – 31 Public Officials – 4 TxDOT Personnel – 9 Project Consultants – 7 Media – 1 Summary: The open house was intended to allow members of the public an opportunity to review exhibits depicting the currently proposed project concept of providing a pedestrian/bicycle/wildlife crossing under Loop 375 (Transmountain) between the north and south sides of the Franklin Mountains State Park. Since the April 2013 public meeting, TxDOT was unable to quantify a safety deficiency at the park entrance using crash data or traffic warrants. Therefore, because the previously proposed Alternatives 1 through 5 were developed to meet a perceived traffic safety need, these proposed concepts were not pursued further. Engineering and environmental staff were on-hand to answer questions and provide information regarding project development. Mr. Robert Bielek presented a brief summary of the meeting’s intent at 6:30 p.m. in which he summarized how the current project concept was developed by identifying a need to maintain connectivity at the park. Members of the public informally asked Mr. Bielek questions during his presentation and this exchange is included in the transcript located in Appendix C. Although a court reporter was on-hand to receive official verbal comments from the public, no verbal comments were given. Ten written comments were received at the time of the open house. In addition, 20 comments were received via email and one comment was received via standard mail during the public comment period. A letter from U.S Representative Beto O’Rourke was also received via standard mail. These comments are summarized in Section 2.0 of this summary report and included in Appendix F. 2.0 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS This section provides a summary of written comments received in response to the open house. A total of 32 written comments were received in response to the public meeting. Table 1 provides a summary of these comments, organized by comment theme and commenter. The “Commenter #” listed in the table is associated with the individual comments included in Appendix F of this report. Table 1 reveals that all of the comments received indicated support for the pedestrian/bicycle/wildlife crossing project concept presented at the open house. Comments also included a desire for a new intersection and entrance at the Franklin Mountains State Park, concern about left turns into the park from eastbound Loop 375 (Transmountain), concern about left turns out of the park onto eastbound Loop 375 (Transmountain), as well as funding for the project. 3.0 CONCLUSION The analysis in Section 2.0 revealed that all comments received in response to the public open house indicated support for the proposed pedestrian/bicycle/wildlife crossing. As the project continues to develop through design and environmental studies, TxDOT will take public input into consideration. MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY 2 COMMENT THEME Table 1 Summary of Written Comments by Comment Theme and Commenter Support for proposed pedestrian/bicycle/ wildlife crossing Concern about left turns into the park Concern about left turns out of the park Desire for a new intersection and entrance to the Franklin Mountains State Park Funding 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 x COMMENTER 14 15 16 17 x x x x 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY 3 APPENDIX A HANDOUTS AND COMMENT FORMS MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDICES PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park El Paso County, Texas The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) El Paso District will hold an open house for a proposed project to maintain connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park. Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Canutillo High School 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 The open house will begin at 6:00 p.m. A brief summary of the workshop’s intent will be presented by Dr. Robert Bielek, TxDOT El Paso District Engineer, at 6:30 p.m. Following this introduction, the public is encouraged to review displays depicting preliminary design options and provide input. TxDOT staff will be available to answer questions. All handouts will be presented in English and Spanish. Parking will be available in the school parking lot. Persons interested in attending the open house that have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact the TxDOT El Paso District Public Information Officer, Ms. Blanca Del Valle, at (915) 790-4200 at least two working days before the event. TxDOT will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate special needs as requested. Written comments from the public regarding this project are encouraged. Comments may be submitted either at the open house or within 30 days after. Written comments may be emailed to the following address: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 Comments may also be e-mailed to: [email protected] Comments must be postmarked on or before Friday, January 10, 2014 to be included as part of the public record. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project in more detail, please contact Mr. Tony Uribe, TxDOT Project Manager, at (432) 837-7810. PUERTA ABIERTA AL PÚBLICO Conectividad en el Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains Condado de El Paso, Texas El Departamento de Transporte de Texas (TxDOT, por sus siglas en inglés), distrito de El Paso llevará a cabo un evento de Puerta Abierta al Público para un proyecto propuesto para sustentar la conectividad del Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains. El miércoles 11 de diciembre de 2013 De 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. En la Escuela Preparatoria Canutillo 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 La Puerta Abierta dará inicio a las 6:00 p.m. Robert Bielek, Ingeniero de Distrito de TxDOT presentará a las 6:30 p.m. un breve resumen informativo sobre el propósito de este taller. Después de esta introducción se le invita al público a revisar y comentar sobre los esquemas que muestran opciones de diseños preliminares. Personal de TxDOT estará presente para contestar preguntas. Todos los folletos se presentarán en español e inglés. Habrá estacionamiento disponible en el estacionamiento escolar. Se les recomienda a las personas quienes estén interesadas en participar en este evento a Puerta Abierta y tienen necesidades especiales de comunicación o acomodo que se comuniquen con la Directora de Información Publica de la Oficina de TxDOT, Blanca Del Valle, al teléfono (915) 790-4200 por lo menos dos días hábiles antes del evento. TxDOT hará todo esfuerzo razonable para cubrir estas necesidades según se soliciten. Se solicitan comentarios por escrito del público con respecto a este proyecto. Estos comentarios se pueden presentar durante el evento a Puerta Abierta o durante 30 días posteriores al evento. Los comentarios por escrito pueden ser enviados por correo a: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 Los comentarios por escrito también pueden ser enviados por correo electrónico a: [email protected] Los comentarios deben tener fecha de sello postal a más tardar el viernes 10 de enero de 2014 para que éstos puedan ser incluidos en el registro público. Si tiene usted alguna pregunta o quisiera dialogar a más detalle a cerca del proyecto, por favor comuníquese con: Sr. Tony Uribe, Gerente del proyecto de TxDOT, al (432) 837-7810. PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park El Paso, Texas Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Canutillo High School 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 (PLEASE PRINT) NAME: _____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________ REPRESENTING: ____________________________________________________________ (Texas Transportation Code, §201.811(a)(5)): check each of the following boxes that apply to you: ❑ I am employed by TxDOT ❑ I do business with TxDOT ❑ I could benefit monetarily from the project or other item about which I am commenting COMMENT FORM This form is provided to receive your comments regarding the Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park project. Please use the space below, attaching additional pages if necessary. Your comments can be deposited in the comment box or mailed to the address provided below. All written comments must be postmarked by Friday January 10, 2014. Thank you for your comments. COMMENTS:_____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Written Comments submitted by mail must be postmarked by Friday January 10, 2014 and sent to: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court, Suite 200, Austin TX 78734 ----------------------------------------------------------Fold Here--------------------------------------------------------Place Stamp Here Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 PUERTA ABIERTA AL PÚBLICO Conectividad en el Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains Condado de El Paso, Texas El miércoles 11 de diciembre de 2013 De 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. En la Escuela Preparatoria Canutillo 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 (FAVOR DE USAR LETRA DE MOLDE) NOMBRE: ___________________________________________________________________ DIRECCIÓN: _________________________________________________________________ REPRESENTANDO: __________________________________________________________ (Código de Transporte de Texas, §201.811(a)(5)): marque la casilla(s) siguientes que le apliquen a usted: ❑ Yo trabajo con TxDOT ❑ Hago negocios con TxDOT ❑ Seria Beneficiado monetariamente a causa de este proyecto u otro(s) detalles sobre los que estoy comentando FORMULARIO DE COMENTARIOS Esta forma ha sido proporcionada para recibir sus comentarios con respecto al proyecto propuesto para sustentar la conectividad del Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains. Por favor utilice el espacio proporcionado abajo e incluya páginas adicionales en caso necesario. Sus comentarios pueden ser depositados en la “Caja de Comentarios” o ser enviados por correo postal a la dirección indicada abajo. Comentarios por escrito, deben estar fechados por las oficinas de correo postal a más tardar el viernes 10 de enero de 2014. Gracias por sus comentarios. COMENTARIO:____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Todos los comentarios por escrito mandados por correo deben tener el sello postal a más tardar el viernes 10 de enero de 2014 y enviados a: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court, Suite 200, Austin TX 78734 ---------------------------------------------------------- Doble Aquí --------------------------------------------------------Coloque Estampilla Aquí Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 APPENDIX B MEETING DISPLAYS MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDICES Overview View overlooking the park entrance,, looking g north-east Tom Mays Park Access Road Woodrow Bean Transmountain Road Connectivity at Franklin Mountains State Park State Park Entrance Intersection Detail view overlooking the park entrance, looking north-east Tom Mays Park Access Road Woodrow Bean Transmountain Road Connectivity at Franklin Mountains State Park Park Connectivity Bridge Crossing Detail view overlooking the pedestrian and wildlife crossing, looking north-east Tom Mays Park Access Road Woodrow Bean Transmountain Road Connectivity at Franklin Mountains State Park Section View of Connectivity Crossing Ground level view looking south towards pedestrian and wildlife crossing Woodrow Bean Transmountain Road Connectivity at Franklin Mountains State Park APPENDIX C TRANSCRIPT MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDICES APPENDIX D PHOTOGRAPHS MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDICES MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDIX D-1 MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDIX D-2 MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDIX D-3 MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDIX D-4 MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDIX D-5 MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDIX D-6 APPENDIX E NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS, NOTICES, AND LETTERS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDICES PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park El Paso County, Texas The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) El Paso District will hold an open house for a proposed project to maintain connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park. Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Canutillo High School 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 The open house will begin at 6:00 p.m. A brief summary of the workshop’s intent will be presented by Dr. Robert Bielek, TxDOT El Paso District Engineer, at 6:30 p.m. Following this introduction, the public is encouraged to review displays depicting preliminary design options and provide input. TxDOT staff will be available to answer questions. All handouts will be presented in English and Spanish. Parking will be available in the school parking lot. Persons interested in attending the open house that have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact the TxDOT El Paso District Public Information Officer, Ms. Blanca Del Valle, at (915) 790-4200 at least two working days before the event. TxDOT will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate special needs as requested. Written comments from the public regarding this project are encouraged. Comments may be submitted either at the open house or within 30 days after. Written comments may be emailed to the following address: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 Comments may also be e-mailed to: [email protected] Comments must be postmarked on or before Friday, January 10, 2014 to be included as part of the public record. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project in more detail, please contact Mr. Tony Uribe, TxDOT Project Manager, at (432) 837-7810. PUERTA ABIERTA AL PÚBLICO Conectividad en el Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains Condado de El Paso, Texas El Departamento de Transporte de Texas (TxDOT, por sus siglas en inglés), distrito de El Paso llevará a cabo un evento de Puerta Abierta al Público para un proyecto propuesto para sustentar la conectividad del Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains. El miércoles 11 de diciembre de 2013 De 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. En la Escuela Preparatoria Canutillo 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 La Puerta Abierta dará inicio a las 6:00 p.m. Robert Bielek, Ingeniero de Distrito de TxDOT presentará a las 6:30 p.m. un breve resumen informativo sobre el propósito de este taller. Después de esta introducción se le invita al público a revisar y comentar sobre los esquemas que muestran opciones de diseños preliminares. Personal de TxDOT estará presente para contestar preguntas. Todos los folletos se presentarán en español e inglés. Habrá estacionamiento disponible en el estacionamiento escolar. Se les recomienda a las personas quienes estén interesadas en participar en este evento a Puerta Abierta y tienen necesidades especiales de comunicación o acomodo que se comuniquen con la Directora de Información Publica de la Oficina de TxDOT, Blanca Del Valle, al teléfono (915) 790-4200 por lo menos dos días hábiles antes del evento. TxDOT hará todo esfuerzo razonable para cubrir estas necesidades según se soliciten. Se solicitan comentarios por escrito del público con respecto a este proyecto. Estos comentarios se pueden presentar durante el evento a Puerta Abierta o durante 30 días posteriores al evento. Los comentarios por escrito pueden ser enviados por correo a: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 Los comentarios por escrito también pueden ser enviados por correo electrónico a: [email protected] Los comentarios deben tener fecha de sello postal a más tardar el viernes 10 de enero de 2014 para que éstos puedan ser incluidos en el registro público. Si tiene usted alguna pregunta o quisiera dialogar a más detalle a cerca del proyecto, por favor comuníquese con: Sr. Tony Uribe, Gerente del proyecto de TxDOT, al (432) 837-7810. Ackerman Addington Attel Baker Bonart Boyd Brooker Camacho Coldwell Coldwell Dawes Dyer Gianelli Haddox Haddox Haddox Harris Hollandbyrd Kendrick Levine Levine McHugh Morales Nance Pruneda Pugh Riselenger Sander Sanders Skarda Southern Teschner Thornley Tolbert Wakeem White Trejo Parks Rubio Bautista Guida Love Tanner Moses Sierra Rubio Barton Judy Bill Patty Carol Richard Shane Krista Jessica M. Colbert Nathaniel Eleanor Dan M. Marge Carmen M. John H. Madeleine Brent Hannah Stacy JoAnne Barry Laureen Hugo Larry Alfonso Stephen Anthony W. Patricia Lamar (No name given) Richard Richard Clarissa Jim Charlie Maria (No name given) Jorge Ron Erika Samuel Marilyn Richard Trish John H. Jose Luis Daniel Kathy [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] cncoldwell@[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] hhollandb [email protected] [email protected] themacmom@themacguyinfo [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cancellari Skarda Barbe Jobe Lopez Barbe Lewis Welch Wilson Wilson Hernandez Sells Pedroza Tabarez Conti Sanchez Winter Para Ceniceros Catham Gonzalez Leaky LoBello Sanders Hardin Gomez Joe Lamar Yoli Stanley Fred Joe Michael Stephanie David Jennifer Chris Jessica Jorge Nellie Joe Cynthia Robert Melody Manuel Cinda Ana Matthew Rick Brent Neysa Alicia [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Tony Uribe [[email protected]] Thursday, November 21, 2013 3:25 PM [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; cmbaker69 @hotmail.com; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; hhollandb; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; imsofnmoney1 @yahoo.com; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Kim Johnson; Jasmine Gardner; Mimi Horn Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park image001.png; image002.png; image003.png; image004.png; image005.png This email is being sent to you as you have indicated interest in being contacted by email with respect to the subject project. Thank you for your interest and involvement in the development of this project. PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park El Paso County, Texas The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) El Paso District will hold an open house for a proposed project to maintain connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park. Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Canutillo High School 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 Fig1_ProjectLocation(FranklinMtnsSP) insert.fwThe open house will begin at 6:00 p.m. A brief summary of the workshop's intent will be presented by Dr. Robert Bielek, TxDOT El Paso District Engineer, at 6:30 p.m. Following this introduction, the public is encouraged to review displays depicting preliminary design options and provide input. TxDOT staff will be available to answer questions. All handouts will be presented in English and Spanish. Parking will be available in the school parking lot. Persons interested in attending the open house that have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact the TxDOT El Paso District Public Information Officer, Ms. Blanca Del Valle, at (915) 790‐4200 at least two working days before the event. TxDOT will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate special needs as requested. 1 Written comments from the public regarding this project are encouraged. Comments may be submitted either at the open house or within 30 days after. Written comments may be emailed to the following address: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 Comments may also be e‐mailed to: ELP‐[email protected] Comments must be postmarked on or before Friday, January 10, 2014 to be included as part of the public record. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project in more detail, please contact Mr. Tony Uribe, TxDOT Project Manager, at (432) 837‐7810. PUERTA ABIERTA AL PÚBLICO Conectividad en el Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains Condado de El Paso, Texas El Departamento de Transporte de Texas (TxDOT, por sus siglas en inglés), distrito de El Paso llevará a cabo un evento de Puerta Abierta al Público para un proyecto propuesto para sustentar la conectividad del Parque Estatal Franklin Mountains. El miércoles 11 de diciembre de 2013 De 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. En la Escuela Preparatoria Canutillo 6675 South Desert Boulevard, El Paso TX 79932 Fig1_ProjectLocation(FranklinMtnsSP) insert.fwLa Puerta Abierta dará inicio a las 6:00 p.m. Robert Bielek, Ingeniero de Distrito de TxDOT presentará a las 6:30 p.m. un breve resumen informativo sobre el propósito de este taller. Después de esta introducción se le invita al público a revisar y comentar sobre los esquemas que muestran opciones de diseños preliminares. Personal de TxDOT estará presente para contestar preguntas. Todos los folletos se presentarán en español e inglés. Habrá estacionamiento disponible en el estacionamiento escolar. Se les recomienda a las personas quienes estén interesadas en participar en este evento a Puerta Abierta y tienen necesidades especiales de comunicación o acomodo que se comuniquen con la Directora de Información Publica de la Oficina de TxDOT, Blanca Del Valle, al teléfono (915) 790‐4200 por lo menos dos días hábiles antes del evento. TxDOT hará todo esfuerzo razonable para cubrir estas necesidades según se soliciten. Se solicitan comentarios por escrito del público con respecto a este proyecto. Estos comentarios se pueden presentar durante el evento a Puerta Abierta o durante 30 días posteriores al evento. Los comentarios por escrito pueden ser enviados por correo a: Blanton & Associates Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court Suite 200 Austin TX 78734 Los comentarios por escrito también pueden ser enviados por correo electrónico a: ELP‐[email protected] Los comentarios deben tener fecha de sello postal a más tardar el viernes 10 de enero de 2014 para que éstos puedan ser incluidos en el registro público. Si tiene usted alguna pregunta o quisiera dialogar a más detalle a cerca del proyecto, por favor comuníquese con: Sr. Tony Uribe, Gerente del proyecto de TxDOT, al (432) 837‐7810. 2 Texas Transportation Forum: Jan. 6‐8, 2014 [Ninth Annual Texas Transportation Forum]<http://www.dot.state.tx.us/ttf/> 3 From: Sent: To: Tony Uribe [[email protected]] Wednesday, November 20, 2013 4:46 PM [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Mimi Horn; Kim Johnson; Jasmine Gardner; Mark Stephens ([email protected]); Efrain Esparza; Eddie Valtier; Bob Bielek Public Meeting for the Conectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park Cc: Subject: Attachments: This email is being sent to you as you have indicated interest in being contacted by email with respect to the subject project. Thank you for your interest and involvement in the development of this project. Antonio Uribe, Jr., P.E. Assistant Area Engineer Alpine Area Office Work: 432‐837‐7810 Cell: 432‐244‐9146 Fax: 432‐837‐5108 Texas Transportation Forum: Jan. 6-8, 2014 1 APPENDIX F SIGN-IN SHEETS AND WRITTEN COMMENT MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY AT THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK EL PASO COUNTY, CSJ: 2552-01-054 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SUMMARY APPENDICES From: Joseph cancellare [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2013 1:45 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance; Judy Ackerman Subject: Tom Mays Entrance Tony, I'm Joe Cancellare, I voluntered at The Tom Mays with my students at Bowie High School JROTC from 1995 to 2010 when I retired from teaching. I drove to the park entrance in a 15 passenger van that I bought for that purpose during the time. I never liked the entrance or exit because it was not dedicated and to me it always posed a large hazard requiring heightened vigilance because our populace seems to regard speed limits as suggestions to be considered by other people. While I do not think what you have versus prop 4 which we discussed at Canutillo is as good, it is far better than the Rube Goldberg that it looked like we would have to live with up to the present. I cross the mountain several times a week and am stultified by the mile detour with a 180 degree turn into oncoming traffic that East bound drivers need to negotiate to enter the park. In 1995 when I began volunteering, Tom Hillen , the then person in charge of Tom Mays, already knew that the four lane completion of Transmountain Road was on the horizon. He knew there would be land lost and that an overpass at the park entrance would be a possibility as a possible quid pro quo. Unfortunately this has not been the case. I am pleased that there is at least an attempt to make access to the park safer and easier for traffic from both directions. At the meeting in Canutillo I remember the statement that the usage and accident record for the major turn coming downgrade east of the Park entrance does not support an overpass at that location. But we all know that the overpasses currently under construction west of the park entrance are indicative of a much larger volume of traffic on that highway. If the traffic patterns and accident rates in Eastern El Paso are any indication of what we can really expect in the not too distant future in this area which will be rapidly developed along this piece of highway ( the infrastructure is already in place west of the park boundary and north of the right of way) this proposal is greatly needed. I feel that the modification does not go far enough but I fully support it as a step beyond what we where headed for under the current plan. Joseph A. Cancellare Park supporter and concerned citizen From: Mary Katherine Ray [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2013 12:12 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Tom Mays park entrance Hello, I have been visiting Tom Mays park since I was a child and my family and I still do. El Paso is so lucky to have such a unique park as part of our city. I opposed the behemoth road project that is unfolding now at Trans Mountain. The very least you can do is provide a decent and safe access to the park from both directions for hikers and cyclists. In the absence of this, it will only be a matter of time until someone is hurt. Sincerely, Mary K. Ray Now in southern New Mexico, but El Paso will always be a part of 'home'. 575-772-5655 From: Pat White [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2013 7:15 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: FMSP Entrance I like the underpass for animals, hikers and bicyclists. This is much better than using the same underpass for cars and animals, hikers and bicyclists. The car entrance needs improvements so that the left turn into the park is safe (not crossing high speed traffic) and you can leave the park and turn left onto Transmountain Rd to go east without crossing two lanes of westbound traffic. Thank you for your consideration. Pat White Patricia E. White 915-591-3562 home [email protected] From: McClure, John [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2013 3:34 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Franklin Mt park I understand there is the possibility of an underpass under the new expanded transmountain road. That seems like a good idea since it will be much easier to hike to different parts of park. The road expansion (like so many highways) will tend to cut the space into two parts without some easy connection between them. John McClure 3300 Piedmont Dr El Paso From: Daniel Carey-Whalen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 3:32 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Underpass- Yes! Hello Mr. Uribe, Please do not divide or keep divided animal habitats and allow for an underpass on Transmountain Road. In addition, is there an option that allows for east-bound traffic to safely access the park? Thanks, Daniel From: Esposito, Ellen L [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 8:11 AM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Franklin Mountain State Park Mr. UribeI would like to thank TxDOT for continuing to search for a solution to the entrance and connectivity problems surrounding the Transmountain Road upgrades and the entrance to the Tom Mays section of Franklin Mountain State Park. I believe your proposed solution of an entrance at the current site and a wildlife/human corridor below, while not ideal, will mitigate most of the problems and concerns the El Paso community has voiced. Ellen Esposito Director, Secondary Education Program College of Science The University of Texas at El Paso Bell Hall 100 915-747-8468 fax: 747-6453 [email protected] From: Ray Reich [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 7:54 AM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Find the monies in for this project Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park 5 Lakeway Centre Court, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78734 In order to ensure the necessary funding to complete this connectivity project, TxDOT needs to hear from park users. The deadline for comments is 10 Jan 2014. a wildlife, hike and bicycle corridor in an underpass at the entrance to the Tom Mays section of FMSP. This is a huge improvement over the current situation. We used to be able to walk across Transmountain Rd to get to the trails and points of interest on the south side of Transmountain, but the expansion of the road makes that crossing too treacherous. The expansion of Transmountain fragments the park creating a "denial of access" to the southern parts of the Park. This is the kind of project that gets sidelined but is a real asset to the area and increase tourist dollars and local quality of life. Respectfully Ray Reich Sales & Service Manager Lopez Scrap Metal, Inc 915-859-0770 x 15 351 N. Nevarez Rd. El Paso, TX 79927 From: Cooper, Clarence [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 11:01 AM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: corridor and underpass I fully support the proposed underpass and corridor at the entrance to the Franklin Mountains State Park. This would provide a safe crossing at trans- mountain road for both humans and animals. Clarence Cooper, 2324 Kansas, El Paso Texas 79902. From: Janae' Reneaud Field [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 8:24 AM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Attn: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park Mr. Uribe, I personally, ask that TxDOT continue and move forward with the wildlife, hike and bicycle corridor as an underpass at the entrance to the Tom Mays section of FMSP. There currently is heavy use along Trans Mountain Road by walkers and bikers, with the road expansion that will only increase due to sidewalk which takes people to the state park entrance. Please follow through, as originally stated, and build a safe way for people to cross the now impassable road. If anyone tries to cross the highway (which people &wildlife will) with the increased traffic and higher vehicular speed coming down the hill can only result in a horrible outcome. Again, please be proactive and build a safe crossing which is needed due to the increased size of the TxDot Transmountain Road. Thank you, Janae’ Janae’ Reneaud Field Executive Director The Frontera Land Alliance [email protected] Office Phone: 915-351-TFLA (8352) Fax: 915-351-8353 Office Address: 1201 N. Mesa St., El Paso Texas 79902 Mailing Address: 3800 N. Mesa, Suite A2-258, El Paso, Texas 79902 www.Fronteralandalliance.org From: Courtney Brown [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2013 1:27 PM To: Tony Uribe; Bob Bielek; ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: FMSP entrance I love our Franklin Mountains, and I regularly visit the Franklin Mountains State Park to hike and to get outside. El Paso is made special by having this State Park within our city limits--it is a wonderful asset which needs to be cared for. In order to allow the park to continue to be a proper home/haven for wildlife and an enjoyable wilderness for humans (including hikers, bikers, and birders), please approve the plan which includes a wildlife/hiking trail tunnel under the new roadway. Not only will it allow deer and smaller animals to go back and forth between the north and south portions of the west side of the park, it will also help minimize traffic accidents and even deaths, of both humans and animals alike. Thank you for considering my request. Sincerely, Courtney Brown 6524 Camino Fuente El Paso, TX 79912 From: Stover, Pamela G. [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 11:46 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Franklin Mountain Park I am concerned about the fragmentation of Franklin Mountain State Park with the expansion of Transmountain Road. Franklin Mountains are one of our few wild natural spaces available in the El Paso area. We must find a way to make both sides of the park accessible to both wildlife and people visiting the park. Although a walkover might solve the problems of human visitors it does not provide ready access for wildlife. Perhaps the proposed underpass is the best solution. I would think it would also facilitate drainage which is always an issue when it does rain here. Please consider all viable options that will ensure accessabilty for both wildlife and humans within the entire protected park area. Thank you for your consideration. Pamela Herron, M.F.A. (formerly Stover) [email protected] English/Asian Studies/Humanities The University of Texas at El Paso 500 West University Avenue El Paso TX 79968 915.747.5731 (main office) En l'air: A collection of poetry created in the air Available from Unsolicited Press http://www.unsolicitedpress.com/ From: Kiseda [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 5:39 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Please, Please, Please Dear People, Please support the creation of the underpass of Transmountain. The underpass will mitigate the fragmentation caused by the widening of Transmountain and creates connectivity for wildlife, hikers, and bicyclists between the north and south portions of FMSP on the west side of the Park. So many of God's creatures are depending on you. Thank You, Kathy Kiseda 404 Kenyon Joyce Lane El Paso, TX 79902 [email protected] From: Wilder Snodgrass [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 9:02 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: N/S Access within FSMP I applaud you effort to restore connectivity and easy N/S access within Franklin Mountain State Park. Should be more than one! Please press on with this to secure funding and start work by March 2014, you do that? Tanks Wilder (Mac) and Enedina Snodgrass Manager/Owners RI Ocean-View Waterfront Vacation Home www.HomeAway.com/162395 Our Current Address: 266 Maricopa Drive, El Paso, TX 79912 H: 915-585-8306 B: 800-572-4518 C: 915-449-7724 E: [email protected] Can From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2014 10:34 AM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Franklin Mountain State Park Underpass I am VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF AN UNDERPASS ACCESS from the Southern part of the park to the Northern part of the park. I buy an annual State Park Pass every year for the park and until this past year have walked my malamute in the Tom Mays section. This year Shadow has had a hip problem and cannot get into my truck, however I still like going to the park and am VERY MUCH in favor of the underpass for hikers and bikers and especially the wildlife.......... as so many wildlife are killed by passing motorists. Wouldn't it be great if we could teach them to read? Make the underpass as wide as possible so the wildlife view it as a safe place to go.............. not a dark scary spot. Nancy Bain (the wolf lady) From: Carreon, Michelle [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 1:11 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: FMSP Entrance Hello, I am responding in that I agree with the plans of making an underpass for the safety of animals and people that are hiking and bicyclists. This would be a very good thing to have to prevent more accidents from happening. From: Russ Parker [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 12:15 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: park entrance The proposed a wildlife, hike and bicycle underpass at the entrance to the Tom Mays section of FMSP is a huge improvement over the current situation. We used to be able to walk across Transmountain Rd to get to the trails and points of interest on the south side of Transmountain, but the expansion of the road makes that crossing too treacherous. The expansion of Transmountain fragments the park creating a “denial of access” to the southern parts of the Park. The underpass will mitigate the fragmentation caused by the widening of Transmountain and creates connectivity for wildlife, hikers, and bicyclists between the north and south portions of FMSP on the west side of the Park. We really need to have a safe entrance! Sincerely, Russ Parker, Col USA Ret From: Ardovino Robert [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 8:41 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Transmountain Road FMSP entrance. I my wife vote for the option of the under-pass entrance for the FMSP park entrance. This is the best option for public, wildlife, bikes, hikers. Robert Ardovino Ardovino's Desert Crossing [email protected] www.ardovinos.com From: Labrado, Amanda L [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 10:26 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Franklin Mountain/Transmountain Project To Whom This May Concern, Being born and raised in El Paso, Franklin Mountains State Park has been part of my life since I was born. I can remember hiking the trails as young as 5 years old, and experienced much of the park when I was older as a geology major at UTEP. I believe that an pedestrian underpass under the proposed expansion of Transmountain road is highly important, as it will not only help mitigate the fragmentation of the park, but allow safe passage to the north and south sides of the park for hikers and pedestrians. As a citizen of El Paso, avid hiker, and geologist, I hope my support, and the support of others, for this underpass will not be ignored. Thank you! Ms. Labrado From: John Moses [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 9:23 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Connectivity at the Franklin Mountains State Park El Pasoans are proud of having the Franklin Mountains State Park, largest urban wilderness park in the U.S. Lower 48, within their community. For reasons never clear, a proper entrance to the State Park was not included in the final scope of work for the Transmountain Road Loop 375 expansion project. Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. and TxDOT officials discussed the entrance options from prior to 2005 without developing a viable plan. However, the widening of the Loop 375 on the west side of the Franklin Mountains to 4 lanes has effectively cut the State Park into north-south halves. Hikers, bikers and wildlife cannot cross safely from one side to the other. There are numerous dedicated bike trails and hiking paths which now are divided by the expanded highway. Safety and access here have been severely compromised. TxDOT presented a revised underpass option at a public meeting in El Paso on December 11, 2013. It appears to offer the most economical means to provide access for cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife safely beneath the new roadway. While it does not solve all of the problems caused by the highway widening, I support this project. John Moses 3221 Mountain Walk Dr. El Paso, TX 79904 915-755-7716 [email protected] From: Joe Barbe [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 3:36 PM To: ELP-FMSParkEntrance Subject: Franklin Mountains State Park Entrance Project Dear Mr. Uribe: Regarding the proposed project to improve the entrance from Transmountain Road (Loop 375) into the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park, the latest proposal by TxDOT is far superior to the one we were presented by the TxDOT engineer last year. The proposed underpass for wildlife and for hikers presents a much safer environment for them and for the drivers on Loop 375. The left turn into the park from the eastbound lanes still leaves much to be desired for safety. While the design approved by TPWD last year is still the best, the current proposed design is acceptable and much batter than the last proposal by TxDOT. Joe Barbe 2901 McKinley Ave El Paso, TX 79930 [email protected] (915) 565-9301
