HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorth Central Urban Renwal Plan Correspondence - Sherry Farnsworth281 West Moody Road
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
9 November 2020
Rexburg City Council Members:
Re: North Central Urban Renewal Project
I live on Moody Road, so with the overpass being mentioned in this project, I am involved. I have
reviewed the newspaper reports of this project. I have some concerns:
• One of the residents in the targeted area talked with Richard Horner for clarification and more
information. There were no concrete answers for many of the questions he asked. The project
proposal was not yet printed. Alarming the public at this point, with threats of huge mandatory
changes and costs, is counterproductive. They are already shell-shocked by the COVID-19 crisis.
• Until traffic from 5th West is routed to Moran View, there is too little traffic or population on
Moran View to justify this massive overhaul. Since getting an Environmental Impact Statement
to approve disrupting a river and wetland is nearly impossible, all of the rest of this project is
moot and should be shelved until you have EPA approval.
• City services:
o The homeowners in this area have already paid for their water rights, wells, and septic
systems. We need a guarantee that we will not be required to attach to city services,
unless our own systems fail to function.
o It is extremely important for our emergency preparedness to have these systems that
are not dependent upon the public system that is outside our control.
o You have so many thousands of people who are dependent on your services. You should
be happy to allow people to provide for themselves.
o The County has been very responsible to provide prompt snow removal and mosquito
abatement. Will the City provide these services to our outlying area?
Many of the residents involved are elderly and retired. The threatened substantial financial burden
and talk of "eminent domain," "condemn property," "demolish buildings" is frightening to them. The
last thing they need is threatening news about things that may not happen for fifteen years. They should
be given a projected timeline for different aspects of the project.
Some people feel that decisions for this project are being rushed through. Public hearings are for
addressing concerns and disseminating information, not handing down ultimatums. This is especially
important, since you were not elected by these people affected by your decisions.
I know you do not want to give this impression. If it is not your intent to be heavy-handed, please
listen carefully and respond responsibly to those who attend the hearings. Be as considerate as though
they were your grandparents.
We all know that Rexburg is growing rapidly. We would be happy to have new shopping venues and
nice residential subdivisions. Looking into and planning for the future is an appropriate part of your job.
We have no complaint about the need to make infrastructure changes—when they are truly needed and
justified. To act prematurely only turns your Urban Renewal Project into a Rural Destruction Project.
Regards,
Sherry Farnsworth
(208) 227-8604