An “06880” reader writes:
I attended Tuesday night’s meeting at Long Lots Elementary School concerning the new building project.
Many residents voiced concerns about the destruction of the mature trees in the parking lot, and flooding problems that could be exacerbated during and after the school is constructed.
Not only are the maple trees beautiful (even at night), but I learned from the homeowners that the trees are an extremely effective source of flood control. They soak up huge amounts of rainwater.
Long Lots Elementary School maple trees.
While none of the officials at the meeting had any specific plans for how flooding would be addressed (since they don’t have any approved plans), they already do have plans to remove the 24 mature maple trees.
I believe it is worthy of forethought to address the flooding issues in the area, while simultaneously designing the building.
The committee seems content to have the architects design the building first, and then let the engineers figure out what to do to address the problems it creates.
I suggest that the environmental engineers work with the architects in tandem, so the design is more congruent with the homeowners’ floodwater concerns.
I do not think it is the most efficient or the most effective strategy to have the design folks throw the plans at the environmental engineers to fix water problems after it is designed.
I am all for a newer and better school for our community. It is great for our kids and community (and home values).
However, it needs to be done in an effective and intelligent manner that does not negatively impact neighbors’ property values, or their quality of life.
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