How much development is enough?

Spectrum/David Aldrich

Next month, Alaska DOT/PF is expected to host another public meeting on its proposal to expand Seward Meridian Road. In the meantime, it will be presenting its proposal to the borough planning commission on Jan. 24.

The original requirement for this project was to upgrade the existing road to four lanes south of Bogard Road and extend two lanes north to Seldon Road.

Following comments received from both public and agency scoping meetings in early 2004, the preliminary design alternatives unveiled last November inflated the project into a five-lane super highway, just like the Parks Highway through Wasilla.

In addition, the proposals include a roundabout to replace the new traffic light at the Bogard Road intersection to improve traffic flow - at the same time DOT is putting in a bike trail that will supposedly make it "safer" for pedestrians and children to use this route.

The project scope approved in the 2004-2006 STIP would fit in the existing right of way. However, no design alternative has been suggested that meets this criterion.

The inclusion of the center turn lane and bike trail requires more land than the state owns, given the embankments on either side of the road.

What is even more appalling about the design is DOT's intent to offset the roadway to the west of the existing pavement, not follow the center line of the right of way. I suspect this was proposed because of the 50-foot public-use easement between Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Bogard Road.

No such easement exists between Palmer-Wasilla Highway and the Parks Highway, where the majority of the residential property is located.

The state will have to expand the right of way to accommodate this design. That will affect residential water wells, reduce lot sizes below covenant restrictions, place homeowners in violation of setback limits and make some homes uninhabitable.

DOT/PF's stated concern is that putting the new road down the center of the right of way might require utility companies to relocate some telephone and power poles.

Is that sufficient cause to take private property away from local residents? Are we expected to give up our homes and our property just so MEA and MTA don't have to move some poles?

My neighbors and I who live along Seward Meridian Road have submitted comments opposed to both of DOT/PF's design alternatives.

Appeals to local government to support us have gone largely without comment, with the notable exception of Mr. Ewing of the Wasilla City Council. We appreciate his support, and wish more local officials would take an interest in our plight. In most cases we are told "we will look into the situationŠ," but we have heard little else.

Property rights are an important component of citizenship, and should be respected unless no other alternative exists. Everyone assumes the design engineers, the avowed "experts," adhere to this philosophy, but that is not always the case.

Their primary focus is on completing their projects on schedule and minimizing cost. Sound familiar? Isn't that the same drill we went through regarding private-property rights and CBM?

The public needs to stand up and be counted, or continued development in the Valley will put more property owners at risk. The state should not consider expanding rights of way as the first choice when solving highway design problems.

Relocating utilities, constructing retaining walls and installing traffic-control devices are all viable ways to handle highway design problems within the bounds of existing rights of way. These options, while potentially adding a marginal increase in cost of construction to the project, will allow DOT/PF to meet the needs of the public without harming property owners.

The state already owns sufficient right of way to provide the capacity needed on Seward Meridian Road. I urge everyone in the core area to review the information on the project Web site (http://www.sewardmeridian.com) and consider whether the need for expanding Seward Meridian Road in a way that will force homeowners out of their homes is really justified.

If you agree that private property should be preserved, let the planning commission know. Then put your thoughts in writing for DOT/PF and our elected representatives to see. Without public input molding the development process, the next project "enhancing the quality of life" in your neighborhood might just go through the middle of your yard.

Daniel Aldrich lives near Seward Meridian Road.