Tonight, Cuyahoga Falls City Council will consider a proposed plan for Sourek Trail, which is expected to include 88 lots on 65 acres bordering the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Existing residents have expressed concern over the additional traffic to this country road, along with potentially negative effects on the local watershed, including flooding. The meeting will take place 6:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, 2345 Fourth St. Below is a letter sent to Council members from Sourek Trail resident Anne Galehouse (which has been reprinted with permission).
Dear Council members,
I will try and keep this brief! This development will go forward regardless, but to pass it because you have been threatened by a lawsuit is not an excuse.
The developer has made no concessions by “ending” up with 88 homes. The initial plan of 120 homes included 20-plus acres of property that they did not even own.
It also had no retention ponds, fewer wide streets and no road stubs. This was an unbuildable plan. The 96-home plan included houses to be built on the existing lake. Just keep that in mind.
The superintendent of the CVNP, Craig Kenkel came to the first planning commission meeting and spoke about his major concerns of this development affecting the CVNP and surrounding areas.
Why can’t we hold these developers to higher standards? Best practices and green practices outlined by the CVNP? You were all given a copy of Craig’s letter at Monday’s meeting. Cuyahoga Falls and the developers will get their development but do it in a way that is less destructive to the environment and surrounding areas.
These are different times with the climate change. Is it really in the best interest for all to build homes that have wetlands in their backyards and we will just tell them to stay off of it? Do you really think that will happen?
Putting up 88 homes is just pure greed by the developers and the city of Cuyahoga Falls. What about fewer homes? Like Mr. Brillhart said, there should be a compromise. Using a minimum of 75-foot vegetated buffers to protect the wetlands and streams.
The CVNP supports 40- to 50-percent of open space, not 37 percent! This could be a positive thing for the city of Cuyahoga Falls to work with the CVNP. Also, the city is not obligated to let homes push closer to the street than the code dictates. So they put in a few less homes?
Is that really our problem that the developers can’t make as much money as possible? Why should the developers have the upper hand? They will make their money and leave.
They have no vested interest in our community. Please vote with your conscience on Monday and not because you have been threatened by a lawsuit. This is a very unique area! Please also consider the safety and traffic concerns. These are very real! Thank you.
Best regards,
Anne A. Galehouse
