11/15/21, 2:44 PM Mail - Toomians, Kristinae - Outlook
https://outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?popoutv2=1&version=20211101003.13 1/2 [EXTERNAL] Brush Creek Minor Subdivision
Noriko Frazer <[email protected]>
Mon 11/15/2021 2:42 PM
To: Toomians, Kristinae <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]> Dear Planning Commission,
I am wri ng to express my strong opposi on to the proposed development of the Brush Creek Minor Subdivision on Brush Creek Road in Santa Rosa. As a homeowner and resident on Lyric Lane, which directly borders the proposed housing development, I have a number of concerns about the poten al risks to the neighborhood that addi onal housing may pose
My concerns revolve primarily around the incessant danger that fires present to our community. As a survivor of the 2017 Tubbs Fire, keeping my neighborhood safe is of paramount importance to me.
There are several reasons why I believe that increased development in this area would pose addi onal risk during fire season.
My first concern is that adding four addi onal homes along Lyric Lane would significantly increase traffic on this street, which could create conges on during evacua ons During each fire season, this area of Santa Rosa is frequently subject to mandatory evacua on; situated at the bo om of Fountaingrove Parkway, in a densely wooded area along Brush Creek Road and bordering Highway 12, this neighborhood is o en in immediate danger. Assuming that each new home will have an average of two residents, this project could add at least eight addi onal vehicles entering and exi ng Lyric Lane In the event of a sudden evacua on no ce, this could create blockage on what is already a small cul-de-sac.
Lyric Lane is a rela vely narrow street not currently wide enough to even support parking on the side of the road adjacent to the open space. Adding four homes on that side of the street would create a crowded environment that could be difficult to navigate during an emergency
Furthermore, developing residences in the proposed loca on eliminates an important open space in this extremely fire-prone area, where it would be prudent to not densely pack addi onal structures. Adding new development in an environment already so vulnerable to fires adds unnecessary danger to exis ng residents in this area. As we learned in the Tubbs Fire, building homes close together elevates the risk that fire will catch from building to building, thus allowing the fire to spread faster and devastate more homes. Maintaining the land in front of the exis ng structures on Lyric Lane is an important buffer that I feel is necessary to keep our homes safe
Given the fire-related risks of living in this area of Santa Rosa, I struggled immensely to find insurance coverage for my home on Lyric Lane. I purchased this house in 2019 after losing my Fountaingrove home to the Tubbs Fire, and due to the evident risk that fires present to this particular community, was declined by five different insurance companies before finding one willing to cover my home. I was even rejected by my existing insurance company that covered my Fountaingrove home, and this year, my home insurance premium doubled due to increasing fire concerns. This should demonstrate that constructing additional homes in an area insurance companies are wary to cover is a dangerous idea.
Thus, I urge you to reconsider the development of the Brush Creek Minor Subdivision.
Sincerely,
11/15/21, 2:44 PM Mail - Toomians, Kristinae - Outlook
https://outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?popoutv2=1&version=20211101003.13 2/2 Noriko Frazer