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The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold a meeting about the Oracle Road widening project, from Tangerine to the Pinal County Line, on Tuesday October 11, from 5:30-7pm at Coronado School, Wilds Road, Catalina. Only a handful of resident received notice of this meeting. The majority of Vistoso Vistas, Neighborhood 2 and Maravilla, did not.
Why is this meeting important important to those who live in Vistoso Vistas, Neighborhood 2 and Maravilla?
ADOT's Project Assessment, p7, paragraph 4 includes recommendations for noise barriers for the west side of Oracle Road, Mile 83-mile 84.3 and "the vicinity of M 86" without identifying specifics. Mile 83 is parallel to the office park's Keller Williams Real Estate office, south of Vistoso Vistas. Mile 84.3, just over the boundary in Catalina, at the unnamed road on the east side just before Mountainaire Drive. This means all of both subdivisions are involved. Whether a house is adjacent to Oracle, a street away from, both of these subdivisions hear highway noise. If a wall is constructed, mountain views will be blocked, compromising the quality of life and value of your residence. There are alternatives.
After Ram's Canyon wall appeared the residents expressed disappointment, anger, and complained. Not only did this wall not block the noise, to their horror, it amplified it! All the residents did not participate in the decision making. Were all invited? Many groups hold "public meetings" without publishing or inviting the interested parties. Attendance is critical unless residents want a repeat of the Rams' Canyon fiasco. If Rams' Canyon residents can participate and personally share their experiences, it would be very helpful.
Project Assessment, bottom of website's opening page, describes the study as "preliminary". On May 17, 2011, with a full house, attendees described the information so general that it was meaningless. Speakers danced the bureaucratic two step, avoid, inform, avoid answering specific questions, retract earlier information. Where's the truth?
Of note: The web page that describes this project does not, repeat does not have the October 11 meeting on the website. Why not? Why not publish this is meeting date if ADOT wants residents' input? They do refer to "small group meetings" but this designation is vague, meaningless. In addition, the map on the postcard from May inaccurately pictures Vistoso Vistas and Maravilla by minimizing the location, appearing like very little property is affected.
Let ADOT see your interest, hear your comments on Tuesday, October 10/11 5:30 pm.
Michelle Saxer
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