ALAMEDA NORTH VALLEY ASSOCIATION Deborah Potter ...
ALAMEDA NORTH VALLEY ASSOCIATION Deborah Potter ...
ALAMEDA NORTH VALLEY ASSOCIATION Deborah Potter ...
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<strong>ALAMEDA</strong> <strong>NORTH</strong> <strong>VALLEY</strong> <strong>ASSOCIATION</strong><br />
<strong>Deborah</strong> <strong>Potter</strong>, President<br />
1019 Guadalupe Ct., N.W.<br />
Alameda, NM 87114-2325<br />
January 6, 2009<br />
Re: General Mills Application for Industrial Revenue Bond Project Approval<br />
To: Albuquerque City Council Finance and Government Operations Committee<br />
Chairman Don Harris,<br />
Councilor Michael Cadigan<br />
Councilor Debbie O’Malley<br />
Councilor Ken Sanchez<br />
Councilor Brad Winter<br />
Dear Chairman Harris and Councilors,<br />
The purpose of this letter is to inform you:<br />
1- The above referenced project is located within Alameda North Valley Association’s boundaries.<br />
2- As of the date of this letter, the Association has not been contacted by General Mills to meet to<br />
discuss any matters with regards to the project,<br />
3- The project will have a significant impact upon the Alameda Business Park, Alameda Blvd. and the<br />
surrounding area and therefore we are understandably concerned with the details of the project.<br />
4- The Alameda North Valley Association (ANVA) is in favor of quality economic development and job<br />
growth whether within our neighborhood or within surrounding areas. Some of the concerns we<br />
currently have, very possibly would not be listed below, if we had been included in the process at an<br />
earlier date.<br />
However, since we have not met with General Mills representatives or consultants as of the date of<br />
this letter we are forwarding our concerns to you.<br />
#1- Alameda Blvd. Access –<br />
We understand from an article in the Albuquerque Journal that the City and General Mills, after<br />
discussing alternatives, have agreed to shift truck access point to the north side of the Property, which<br />
will allow trucks to access the Property from Alameda Boulevard through a commercial subdivision.<br />
ANVA has serious concerns regarding redirecting General Mills semi-truck access away from Paseo<br />
Del Norte onto Alameda Blvd. ANVA has been meeting with NMDOT to discuss our concerns<br />
regarding existing conditions on Alameda. Therefore we cannot imagine that adding 200 semi trailer<br />
truck trips per day at an unsignalled intersection, without adequate turn lanes will do anything but<br />
have a very significant, negative impact on an already failing existing condition at that intersection. To<br />
avoid making a left turn across traffic without a signal, these semi-trucks will go to Second and Fourth<br />
Streets so they can enter the Alameda Business Park in a safer manner via a right turn in and out. At<br />
a minimum a signal should be installed at this intersection to help mitigate some of the impact of the<br />
trucks turning on and off of Alameda.
We agree that you would be solving one problem by alleviating congestion in the vicinity of the Paseo del<br />
Norte / Jefferson intersection, but at the expense of make an existing problem at Alameda Park Drive /<br />
Alameda Blvd. significantly worse and greatly increasing semi-truck traffic on Second and Fourth Streets.<br />
Therefore, we do not believe it a positive contribution for our neighborhood when you factor in the much<br />
larger offsetting negative impact at the Alameda Park Drive / Alameda Blvd. intersection and surrounding<br />
streets.<br />
#2 – Water Consumption -<br />
ANVA is concerned with General Mills total water consumption of approximately, 116,800,000 gallons<br />
per year after the expansion. This is a lot of water considering we are being asked to limit water usage<br />
and conserve our natural resources. Can General Mills find a way to reduce its water usage?<br />
#3 - Location Character –<br />
ANVA disagrees with the location description as, “the Property, which is itself located within a<br />
commercial / industrial area” because it is not accurate. The Property is close to or adjacent to Alameda<br />
Business Park, Alameda Little League fields and residential neighborhoods. Alameda Business Park’s<br />
residents are small businesses and the park does not currently experience much heavy truck traffic. We<br />
do not see anything positive by directing heavy truck traffic close to Little League fields, small businesses<br />
and residences.<br />
Also, we spoke with a few business operators located in Alameda Business Park and they had not<br />
received any notifications regarding this project. What is the notification procedure for the project?<br />
ANVA is generally in favor of well thought out, well planned, economic development where the<br />
infrastructure is in place (or will be built along with the project) to handle the growth without creating<br />
significant negative impacts on our neighborhood. Because ANVA has not been involved with this<br />
project, we are unsure whether we can support it or not. Therefore, please encourage General Mills, to<br />
contact the Alameda North Valley Association so that we can discuss our concerns.<br />
The Association recommends deferral on this request until important issues can be addressed.<br />
You can contact me at 897-5105 or msilbert@q.com.<br />
Regards,<br />
Michael Silbert<br />
Michael Silbert<br />
Alameda North Valley Association<br />
Board Member & Chairman, Traffic Committee<br />
The Alameda North Valley Association is a non-profit organization recognized by the City of<br />
Albuquerque and the County of Bernalillo as an area neighborhood association.