News Articles
Land Use, City Park, Fuji Way Update!
Posted on Sep 17th, 2012
LAND USE - CITY PARK - FUJI WAY UPDATE
To: All Applewood Homeowners
What is going on with these projects?
Lots of things are happening! First, the apartment complex is coming along and your HOA is pleased with the speed of the development and the extra effort to keep noise and dust to a minimum. Second, the Richland City Park Department is preparing for the 3 acre park that will be located just south of Applewood Estates. Third, the Richland School District has an interest in the undeveloped land surrounding the apartments as a site for a new elementary school and last, with all the development going on around us, the HOA is moving forward again on a project for speed controls and traffic along Fuji Way.
Lots of things are happening! First, the apartment complex is coming along and your HOA is pleased with the speed of the development and the extra effort to keep noise and dust to a minimum. Second, the Richland City Park Department is preparing for the 3 acre park that will be located just south of Applewood Estates. Third, the Richland School District has an interest in the undeveloped land surrounding the apartments as a site for a new elementary school and last, with all the development going on around us, the HOA is moving forward again on a project for speed controls and traffic along Fuji Way.
Badger Mountain Village Apartments and surrounding land?
The HOA is glad to see the height of the dirt berms going in and after the landscaping is in place, we hope to see a nice aesthetic look to them. We also look forward to sidewalks along the west side of Brantingham Road making it safer. The settlement agreement allowed for several development restrictions on the remaining 15 acres of land to include a 3-acre park.
The HOA is glad to see the height of the dirt berms going in and after the landscaping is in place, we hope to see a nice aesthetic look to them. We also look forward to sidewalks along the west side of Brantingham Road making it safer. The settlement agreement allowed for several development restrictions on the remaining 15 acres of land to include a 3-acre park.
What are the land restrictions and what is all this talk about an elementary school?
The land restrictions forced the developer to have no uses other than 15 single family homes on 1/2 acre lots. There was also an agreement for the City to purchase 3 acres of land located at the southeast corner of Westcliffe Blvd and Gala Way for a new City park. The Parks Department is getting ready to begin planning the park and is asking for homeowner input and involvement. Your HOA is looking for homeowners to represent Applewood at future planning meetings for the park. Have you ever asked the question... why did they put that there? This would be a great opportunity to not only ask, but to help develop the park. There is a meeting set for the Wednesday, the 19th so if you would like to be on the Applewood Neighborhood Park Committee, please email me your interest at applewood_hoa@hotmail.com or call.
The land restrictions forced the developer to have no uses other than 15 single family homes on 1/2 acre lots. There was also an agreement for the City to purchase 3 acres of land located at the southeast corner of Westcliffe Blvd and Gala Way for a new City park. The Parks Department is getting ready to begin planning the park and is asking for homeowner input and involvement. Your HOA is looking for homeowners to represent Applewood at future planning meetings for the park. Have you ever asked the question... why did they put that there? This would be a great opportunity to not only ask, but to help develop the park. There is a meeting set for the Wednesday, the 19th so if you would like to be on the Applewood Neighborhood Park Committee, please email me your interest at applewood_hoa@hotmail.com or call.
New South Richland elementary school?
The HOA was recently contacted by the Richland School District (RSD) and advised that they have a purchase and sale agreement with the developer for the remaining 12 acres on the site for a new elementary school that would be located adjacent to the apartments on the south side. They have conducted one meeting to hear concerns and possible support for the school. Applewood’s only issue would have been traffic but after learning of the school’s location and future district boundary lines, effect on traffic would be minimal within our development. Studies do show that home values are slightly higher with a neighbor school but it significantly increases the top sale price and desirability to purchase. For example: property lots and homes in the development near White Bluffs Elementary School sold for top dollar and many sold within 3 days compared to 3 months or 3 years. Attached is a map of the land which includes the apartments, park and proposed elementary school. Please remember that this map was completed by the HOA and is only one of many concepts that could be completed for the school. Here is a list of pros for the school:
The HOA was recently contacted by the Richland School District (RSD) and advised that they have a purchase and sale agreement with the developer for the remaining 12 acres on the site for a new elementary school that would be located adjacent to the apartments on the south side. They have conducted one meeting to hear concerns and possible support for the school. Applewood’s only issue would have been traffic but after learning of the school’s location and future district boundary lines, effect on traffic would be minimal within our development. Studies do show that home values are slightly higher with a neighbor school but it significantly increases the top sale price and desirability to purchase. For example: property lots and homes in the development near White Bluffs Elementary School sold for top dollar and many sold within 3 days compared to 3 months or 3 years. Attached is a map of the land which includes the apartments, park and proposed elementary school. Please remember that this map was completed by the HOA and is only one of many concepts that could be completed for the school. Here is a list of pros for the school:
- Neighborhood school would eliminate children from being bused out of area subdivisions to in town Richland.
- Walking distance to school and their activates
- Land would be guaranteed to development (not wait possibly 10-20 years for 1/2 acre lots/homes)
- Increased desirability to purchase homes in the area (buyers with children wanting a neighbor school)
- The home value/desirability will help offset the negativity of the nearby apartments
- Increase in police visibility and patrol along with a Drug Free School Zone
- Assure no registered sex offenders live in the apartments or in your development (880 feet)
- Infrastructure improvements of Brantingham St with sidewalk the entire length
- Open space that will be very quiet during the summer months and all holidays
What is the HOA doing about the Fuji Way traffic and speed controls?
The Fuji Way Speed & Traffic Control Project has been re-energized and is moving forward. One of our homeowners volunteered to "manage and coordinate" this project, and coordination with City officials will begin immediately. Our primary goal is to reduce the transient traffic on Fuji Way. The number of vehicles using that roadway increased from 10,000 vehicles over 7 days in 2010 to more than 18,000 vehicles over only a 5-day period in May of 2012. Excessive speed on Fuji Way continues to be a concern, but during the recent monitoring by the Richland Police Dept. the highest speed was about 40 mph. The majority of vehicles drove below the posted 25 mph speed limit. Some options we'll be exploring include but are not limited to: stop signs on Fuji Way at two or three intersections; narrowing the road with markings; speed "humps" (not bumps) strategically placed across Fuji Way along its entirety; traffic "roundabouts" at two or three intersections; and creation of a "gated" community with access controls at each gate.
The Fuji Way Speed & Traffic Control Project has been re-energized and is moving forward. One of our homeowners volunteered to "manage and coordinate" this project, and coordination with City officials will begin immediately. Our primary goal is to reduce the transient traffic on Fuji Way. The number of vehicles using that roadway increased from 10,000 vehicles over 7 days in 2010 to more than 18,000 vehicles over only a 5-day period in May of 2012. Excessive speed on Fuji Way continues to be a concern, but during the recent monitoring by the Richland Police Dept. the highest speed was about 40 mph. The majority of vehicles drove below the posted 25 mph speed limit. Some options we'll be exploring include but are not limited to: stop signs on Fuji Way at two or three intersections; narrowing the road with markings; speed "humps" (not bumps) strategically placed across Fuji Way along its entirety; traffic "roundabouts" at two or three intersections; and creation of a "gated" community with access controls at each gate.
What Can We Do?
The HOA encourages you as a homeowner to give input to the proposed elementary school and area park. We would like to hear your thoughts so we can pass them on to the Richland School District and the City of Richland. Please know that the RSD has a 120-day window to explore support and a PUD zoning change would also be needed with public notification and comment. We as homeowners have a chance to improve the quality of life for many families and their children in this area. With support of a new elementary school, we as homeowners have an opportunity to alleviate young children’s stress of being bused which is critical in the success of their education. You can simply email or call me with your thoughts and comments or interest in the park committee.
The HOA encourages you as a homeowner to give input to the proposed elementary school and area park. We would like to hear your thoughts so we can pass them on to the Richland School District and the City of Richland. Please know that the RSD has a 120-day window to explore support and a PUD zoning change would also be needed with public notification and comment. We as homeowners have a chance to improve the quality of life for many families and their children in this area. With support of a new elementary school, we as homeowners have an opportunity to alleviate young children’s stress of being bused which is critical in the success of their education. You can simply email or call me with your thoughts and comments or interest in the park committee.
Tony Valdez, President
(509) 430-1872
Email: applewood_hoa@hotmail.com
PROPOSED SCHOOL SITE
NOT TO SCALE
*Idea Concept Only*
*Idea Concept Only*