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Letters: Reader has concerns about Surprise master planned community

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I was disappointed to read the online article at Surprise Independent, announcing plans for a new master-planned community at the southeast corner of Lone Mountain Road and Pat Tillman Boulevard.

The development (Sunhaven), which will include 6,000 to 7,000 homes, is being proposed near the planned BNSF Intermodal Freight and Logistics Center. The project is expected to break ground in two years’ time.

Many of us moved to Surprise specifically to avoid the congestion, overcrowding, and other issues that come with living in a big city like Phoenix. We sought the peace and space that comes with suburban life, away from the sprawl of stucco developments and the headaches of urban living.

But with every new housing project, it feels like our leaders are intent on replicating the very problems that come with big-city living.

For those of us who live in the area, the recent growth along U.S. 60 has already created significant traffic headaches. This section of the city is struggling to handle the current congestion, and it seems unreasonable to continue adding more housing without addressing these traffic concerns.

The recent changes to the traffic pattern on Grand Avenue and 303 have done little to ease the ongoing bottleneck near 163rd Avenue. Despite having only one main entry and exit to this part of the city, we are moving forward with plans to build even more homes.

In addition to worsening traffic, we are already seeing overcrowding in local schools. A recent bond initiative to purchase land for a new high school and elementary school was defeated last November, leaving many of us concerned about how we can accommodate the growing number of students.

Adding thousands of new homes (not only for this particular development, but the others currently underway) without expanding our school infrastructure will only exacerbate the strain on our already overcrowded classrooms. High demand neighborhoods that maintain high property values are partly a function of an excellent school system, and we are actively sabotaging that scenario.

The increase in population and demand for services will only further erode the quality of life for current residents. Overcrowded schools, traffic gridlock, and limited city resources are not sustainable (law enforcement & firefighters), and continuing with these massive developments without addressing these fundamental issues will only sacrifice the well-being of everyone who calls this area home.

I urge city leaders to take a step back and carefully reconsider the impact of these developments. Sustainable growth that accounts for infrastructure, traffic, and schools is essential to maintaining the quality of life we all deserve.

We did not move to Surprise to watch it become just another extension of Phoenix.

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