Comments on: Should Salem City Council allow development of the former Battle Creek property?

By: John Shepard

John Shepard — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:57:38 +0000

Flooding in SGNA – Maybe?

Hi Neighbors.
This is not a Chicken Little ‘The sky is falling’ message, but it is a cautionary suggestion.

Forecasters are calling for both warm temperatures and more rain. The Battle Creek Basin is getting to a saturated state. The creeks are about one and a half feet below flood stage.

I have been watching the rainfall and the creek rise. For every inch and a half of rain we get the creek rises about a foot. The streams can handle another inch or two of rain fall. If we get the 4 inches predicted for this weekend we could see Battle Creek overflow it’s banks. The problem is made worse by rainfall and debris in the streams. So be alert as you cross the creeks and or walk in our new city park.

Please share the information with your newer neighbors who may not be aware of the flooding risks of our Battle Creek watershed.

Stay safe, stay dry and have a Merry Christmas

–
John Shepard, COmprehensive Plan Supporters, “COPS”

a non profit group who worked to save 53 acres of Battle Creek Golf course for a Community Park.

By: Anna Lessar

Anna Lessar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:40:01 +0000

Yes I do believe that the School would be better moved to the Commerical Street area. As you remember the 1996 flood level was to the decks at Greeside condominiums. However we were told at the meeting that it was a no flood zone. Would you want your children going to a school that may be flooded, and then left with dirty water and mold? Perhaps the answer to that is yes. Also how about Madras on the north. How many apartments over there? Lots of youngsters. Sidewalks, none, crossing dangerous. City would be liable again. Replace that bridges and improve street. Plus the connector. Where are the dollars coming from? I belive that SGNA Board member was in attendance. He didn’t claim SGNA. I wonder why?

By: John Shepard

John Shepard — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:16:17 +0000

Why would a new collector street be the best for the new Battle Creek Park when identifying Madras as a collector street appears to be a responsible idea for improving transportation in the neighborhood.

Of course asking such questions about Battle Creek have not been of interest for SGNA.

Battle Creek is about to become a LARGE URBAN PARK (57.5 acres – WOW!), not the housing development suggested by SGNA. The Neighborhood has worked hard to encourage such value added benefits for the community. This new park will need to have creative preparation.

What if the property layout is changed so that the School property is near Commercial instead of tucked back in the West corner. Several elements of savings could occur. No bridge street would be needed to cross Waln Creek. Bridges are expensive to build. Perhaps the parking needed for the school, Battle Creek park and the Nursing/ Assisted Living facility could be shared. Again savings may occur. Maybe a safer street connection on Madras meaning no kids get hit on a local street that serves the neighborhood as a collector street. While this concept has not been reviewed it may be an idea that shares benefits among the many parties of interest.

I suspect others could submit creative ideas about the property if one simply asks. How about you?

By: John Shepard

John Shepard — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:59:10 +0000

Battle Creek Golf Course appears to be still under consideration by our community leadership.

In addition to the 38 acres of “Flood detention basin” considered by the City Council, needed for community safety, the rumor is that the City Council is to consider 30 acres of the north half of the property for a public park.

What an informed concept. Using flood plain land to locate a park.

Protects the current land owners from increased flood danger, would gladly accept the Wes Bennett splash pad for public use, enhances the South Gateway image – a park site on the original South entrance to Salem, Could be a community visitors sight for viewing wildlife (thousands of migratory geese have arrived) – does the Audubon Society need a location for a public educational building, could provide access to open space for ball fields, a place to walk and throw Frisbees, recovery of wetlands and restoration of riparian areas and stream beds may revive bull trout and salmonid fish habitat.

What can you imagine?

Can the association neighbors support such an idea?

By: John Shepard

John Shepard — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:59:10 +0000

Battle Creek Golf Course appears to be still under consideration by our community leadership.

What an informed concept. Using flood plain land to locate a park.

What can you imagine?

Can the association neighbors support such an idea?

By: John Shepard

John Shepard — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:44:36 +0000

I received a letter from a neighbor indicating that an appeal has been filed to LUBA by a Maureen Smith. I discovered she is a property owner in Greenside Village and was concerned when she learned from a Realtor that the land use / zone change lowered her property value $50,000 overnight.

I guess Zone Changes can be good or bad for home owners. Who is looking out for the values in our homes? What do SGNA members think about the process for changing the way your neighbor can use his/her property?

By: Hilary

Hilary — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:51:35 +0000

I agree, Aren’t there enough new neighborhoods? I see house upon house, some in the stages of building, some just done, others standing empty, others waiting, then there’s the properties, some areas victimized by these construction/builders that they stand barren(in particular the lots bordering Liberty Rd S/Holder Ln./Crossler School. They raped that hillside of every last schrub, tree, weed, that had been happy there. It has stood barren, like an open and oozing sore for a heck of alot longer than the ones to the south, east, west,.
Why not turn the beautiful setting, grounds/property into a city/neighborhood park. a botannical type of place. A place to learn about the ecology around here, something for our future gens. A place to treasure, revere, respect, take care of. nuture, it’s big enough for that and more, community gardens, holtulcultural, sanctionary.
Come Salem, especially here out south. We have ENOUGH NEIGHBORHOODS, HOMES, LOW AND HIGH INCOME FAMILY AND SINGLE DWELLINGS. WE EVEN HAVE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOMES IN THE NEXT NEIGHBORING SUBDIVISION.
How about a HABITAT FOR US HUMANE HUMANS? AND THOSE OF OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN(S)KIDS.
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MORE OF A GREEN AND PLANET CONSCIOUS STATE, CITY. LETS NOT BLOW IT BY BUILDING:? WHAT? MORE OYXEGIN SUCKING; LAND MARRING; NON-ECO, NOR HUMANE-LY HUMAN,Anti green, environment friendly BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, dwellings that most won’t even see 1/3 fill up let alone inhabitated.
Resorvoirs, Reguge’s, community, gardens, serenty, ecologically sound, eco-friendly and showing it.
“BATTLECREEK SOUTH” SALEMS BOTANNICAL,ECOLOGICAL, COMMUNITY, HUMANE, AND GREEN HABITAT.

By: Michael Medlock

Michael Medlock — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:32:31 +0000

Here's a link to a map of the area. Imagine that big, beautiful green space being filled up with houses and apartment buildings? I don't think I like that, the traffic on South Commercial is bad enough!