HomeMy WebLinkAboutWRITTEN RESPONSE 1 - Hector Becceril - 22-00100 - (S of Hidden Valley PH7 & PH8) - Rezone 3 parcels from LDR1 to LDR2-------- Original message --------
From: Hector Alejandro Becerril <hec.becCdamail.com>
Date: 3/14/22 18:14 (GMT -07:00)
To: robertchambers7(@gmail.com
Cc: Dan Barnes <BARNESD@bvui.edu>
Subject: Hidden Valley Trails re zoning
Hello Robert,
I hope you are doing well. Yesterday there was a meeting in Hidden Valley about the proposed re zoning
of the land south of our subdivision. A few, of the neighbors on that south end received letters from the
city about it and they notified the rest because it affects us all. I am on the HOA and I am contacting you
on behalf of my neighbors. We know that Hidden Valley is zoned Idr2, but what is built on the land is
mostly Idrl. That is why we like it and we all we're looking forward to the development of the southern
part as it is currently platted as Idrl, and which is called Hidden Valley Trails in the city
archives, because it would keep our neighborhood the quiet place, owner occupied, children friendly
that it has been these last 20 years. We don't like the proposed change to Idr2 because it provides too
much freedom to future developers with lot size, etc. Our streets already are aging and limited for the
number of cars we have now that the children have grown and gotten vehicles of their own. Our water
supply is limited and some homes on the south part have very low pressure. There aren't enough storm
drains and we had a bad flood in 2014, because of high runoff from the fields now in question. If that
part gets developed with small lot sizes that means lots of roads, roofs, driveways and other
impermeable surfaces which will increase rain runoff. Larger lots with big yards would do better. Many
of us are also concerned that our property values, which we try to protect through pretty tight
subdivision covenants, will be negatively impacted if duplexes or manufactured homes get put in up
there. We felt that there is a need for the city to preserve areas for the growth of all types of
communities, and this end of town already has a natural progression that goes from the mill hollow
trailer park on the north, to the Ricks Palmer subdivision, to the Hidden Valley subdivision and the
Harvest Heights subdivision. The proposed zone change would reverse that trend, which doesn't make
sense from the perspective that there are multiple other areas in the town designated for the proposed
use.
I was also thinking about the neighbors in those other subdivisions, I don't think they know about the
proposal. I think the city could have notified everyone, even by email, because there are basically 2
small roads that we all share to get in as out of this part of town. I also think that the neighbors in
Harvest Heights would feel their property values could be compromised as well. I specially feel for the
neighbors in the Ricks Palmer subdivision. They are north of us, but their elevation is lower, and on the
day of the 2014 flood their basements filled with rainwater and sewage. It was pretty awkward to
attend church that summer because many blamed their southern neighbors for the "floaters" in their
children's bedrooms. The city claimed that the rain ruined the pump that normally lifts that material,
but the affected homeowners blamed "the new houses" and sued us, as well as the city (We had to
retain an attorney for that). So I really feel that the hearing is premature until all parties concerned are
properly notified. Knowing my friends on Rodney and Gary streets, I don't think they would like to have
lots of new houses to add more discharge lines pointed their direction. The fact is that the current
infrastructure is suboptimal, with only a handful of storm drains, and all our run-off water ending up on
a weed -filled ditch that runs along side north hill road, which by the way is higher than our northern
end, so the water doesn't flow well, a small culvert does exist, behind my house, but it gets blocked
with the debris carried by the rain water. Future infrastructure, including roads, retention ponds, water,
electrical, gas, internet, etc. Is likely to be very costly because of the shallow lava rock of the area. In
fact, that is why hidden valley ended where is does, the last few houses had to have their basements
blasted in, so it isn't realistic to pretend that many small homes can be put up there in a cost effective
manner, they would just end up being saddled with the infrastructure costs and create resource strain
for all the rest of the community.
I appreciate your time reading this. I am asking why the city would move to have hearing in such an
issue Without notifying all involved, and i am asking that if the hearing cannot be postponed, that, I you
might consider these ideas and vote against the proposal. I have to be in Provo this Thursday and Friday,
so I can't attend, but I hope that you may reach out to me if you have questions. I feel kind of bad about
this whole situation, like I am closing doors on some family, but I am mostly representing what I heard at
our HOA meeting from my neighbors, and several of them mentioned that David Pulsipher, who sits
with you on this planning and zoning committee, fought very hard against the a similar zoning change
that was proposed near his previous home.
Thank you again for your time, and hope your semester is wrapping up well.
With best wishes,
Hector Becerril