Letter to the Editor - Hansen: Be informed before you vote April 8
On April 8, the Aspen Park second entrance is to be voted on by the residents of Brandon. The City of Brandon had allocated funds for this second entrance but then voted (4-2) to change the use of the funds last fall. Changing this contrary to the recommendation of the Park Board. Full disclosure, I am a member of the Park Board and also initiated the petition to put this issue to a public vote. Though I initiated the petition, I was supported and assisted by many throughout our city.
The reason for the initiation of the petition stemmed from public comments and personal experiences. I have been at Aspen Park when warning sirens have gone off and it took 35-45 minutes to exit the park. If a tornado had hit Aspen Park, I and many others would have been victims of said tornado. I have heard from residents after flag football games about the time spent waiting in line. I have heard from residents who have witnessed medical emergencies at Aspen Park and first response vehicles had issues getting into the park due to traffic. The second entrance would help traffic flow through the park without pushing traffic down residential streets.
The alternative plan the City Council voted for would pave the parking lot, add a parking lot to the pool and widen the current entrance to include a straight/left turn lane at the entrance, in addition to the existing right turn lane currently there. The widening of the road would extend all the way to the existing parking lot (in front of Fields H & I). This would put three lanes of traffic in front of the pool and in front of the two fields the youngest players play at. In addition, the straight/left turn lane would require traffic using those lanes to travel down residential streets. Residents on those streets have expressed issues with the amount of traffic and the speed at which traffic travels as it is. Under their new proposal, the City Council intends to increase the traffic. From a personal perspective, putting extra travel down residential streets is neither wise nor safe.
Granted, would a paved parking lot for baseball, softball and FCA flag football be great? Absolutely! If the tax revenue the City of Brandon uses for improvements was unlimited and we could afford to do both, I wouldn’t hesitate to support the expenditure. However, the City of Brandon does not have unlimited funds. Therefore, SAFETY must come first! Currently, most churches, schools, businesses, strip malls, etc. have two viable entrance/exits. Aspen Park is extremely busy and at certain times has more traffic than anywhere in the city. It should be no different – it needs two entrances/exits.
The main opposition to the second entrance I have heard is regarding the assessment of the improvements to the adjoining property owners. As a member of the Park Board, I am also concerned with the amount assessed to the homeowners. Everyone abutting a city street pays an assessment for improvements. Whether it occurs as a special assessment or it is worked into the cost of land by the developer. It is paid by the homeowner or business owner. If this was not done, the City of Brandon would have a lot fewer paved streets. I completely agree the amount of the assessment for the single-family homes could be considered a hardship. However, the homeowners have an option to appeal the assessment. I fully support and expect them to exercise this right to appeal.
There will be an informational Open House held at the City Council chambers on March 25 from 6:30-8 p.m. I would encourage everyone and anyone to come, review the maps and ask questions. This is a SAFETY issue. This is a CITY issue. Three Million Dollars is a lot of our taxpayer money. Come, get the facts and then vote. You may vote on April 8. Early voting begins on March 24 during open hours of the City or you can request an absentee ballot be completing the form on the City’s website.
Mindy Hansen
Brandon
