No Chapel Ridge

We are opposed to the proposed Chapel Ridge development between 45 Hwy., K Hwy., 76th St., and Nevada Ave, in south Platte County, Missouri. We are not opposed to development in general, but this is the wrong type of development for this area of south Platte County.

We urge the Platte County Planning & Zoning Board and the Platte County Commissioners to vote NO on rezoning of the land to R-7, Single Family High Density, and to vote NO on the proposed preliminary plat.

Some concerns with the proposed development:

- Local public sentiment is very important for a development proposal that is so radically different from the surrounding community. At Brian Mertz’s initial informational meeting about Chapel Ridge, around 150 - 170 people attended. South Platte Baptist Church, where the meeting was held, overflowed with attendees out into the hall and a microphone had to be used so people could hear. At an informal show of hands at the meeting, there was unanimous opposition to this project. Not a single person voted in favor of it.

-  Such a high-density development could lead to the lowering of the quality of life and property values for surrounding area. The development is completely incompatible with this area of south Platte County. It is insupportable of the topography and infrastructure and will cause unintended adverse impact.

- This re-zoning skips over five other levels of zoning (from AG/Agricultural and RE/Rural Estates, to R-7, Single-Family High Density).  It is extreme.  If rezoned, land should be rezoned to R-80, Rural Single Family, to compliment the surrounding area and existing housing developments.  (Countrywood and Timber Ridge are R-80.)

- If area is rezoned, lots should be sized in the 1 to 3 acres range with 1 acre as the minimum, larger green buffer zones should be placed around the development (at least 200 ft. in width), and more green spaces need to be included between groups of houses.

- This development will create many traffic problems for the area, especially along K Highway, 76th St., and Nevada Ave. This high-density development will make already stressed streets and highways, where children play and wait for the bus, exceedingly dangerous.

- This development will negatively impact the wildlife in this area (which is a major attraction of living in this area).  Any development of this land will need to include larger green zones, around development and within development, to accommodate the indigenous wildlife, and explicitly prohibit the building of fences around lots, which would hinder the free movement of wildlife.

- This development could create unwanted sewer issues for the surrounding area.

-There are serious concerns being raised by many citizens and landowners about adverse impacts to the Brush Creek Watershed that this and other developments like it would cause, such as pollution and flooding into neighboring areas. In a 2004 study on this watershed, two recommendations were to "preserve floodplains and riparian corridors to slow the degradation of streams caused by development" and to "examine the possibilities of more ecologically friendly land use plans." Mr. Mertz's extreme, high-density development plan possibly falls short of these recommendations.

- This development will disrupt the natural contours of the land and vegetation, in short, making area less attractive and potentially lowering neighboring property values. Any development here should seek to preserve the beautiful and natural contour of the land and vegetation.

- Mr. Mertz's proposed development does not fit in with the current (and desired) land use of the surrounding area. The opening paragraph of the Platte County Land Use Plan: "People typically desire to live in quality environments. Many people perceive rural areas near urban areas to contain the most desirable qualities for living areas, such as offering large amounts of open space, reduced traffic congestion and privacy…." Mr. Mertz's proposed plan is incongruent with this vision. We chose to buy our homes, after consulting the area’s zoning and long term plans, to ensure we would remain in an area that has the country feel that we enjoy.

The above is only a short list of concerns with the proposed Chapel Ridge subdivision. There are many other concerns that will be addressed at a future date.

In summation, we like the country feel of this area of south Platte County, which is precisely why we live here. We are not against development, but this type of development is wrong for our area, as it would be a radical disruption of and departure from local norms. To reiterate two very important necessities to provide continuity with surrounding area, any rezoning of this land should rezone it to R-80, Rural Single Family, and lots should be sized in the 1 to 3 acres range with 1 acre as the minimum.

We urge the Platte County Planning & Zoning Board and the Platte County Commissioners to vote NO on rezoning of the land to R-7, Single Family High Density, and to vote NO on the proposed preliminary plat.