THURSDAY, MAY 18TH  -  Capstone Restroom Issue is on Township agenda for reconsideration and we need to show up in force! 

·         WEAR RED shirts (bring wives, husbands & kids too) 

·         ARRIVE at 5:15pm - The Township Board Room, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 

·         SIGN UP TO SPEAK  (3 min max)
If you don’t wish to speak - defer your time to another neighbor.  

WE NEED AS MANY SPEAKERS AS POSSIBLE. 
The board ESPECIALLY needs to hear from residents WHO HAVE NOT YET SPOKEN!

Let’s show them a clear majority do NOT want the restrooms!

ONGOING COMPLAINTS FROM CAPSTONE RESIDENTS:      

1.       Speeding along Capstone Circle (where park is located)

2.       Traffic Cutting Through Neighborhood 

3.       Limited Park Parking - Parking on Street/Curbs/Lawns

Majority of Capstone residents feel strongly that the small benefits/convenience of adding restrooms are far outweighed by the certainty that these complaints would get worse.

CAPSTONE PARK SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS AN AREA PARK. 

·         It is clear that CAPSTONE PARK BEING DESIGNATED AS AN AREA PARK IS THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF THE DISCONNECT between The Township Board and Capstone Residents

·         The Board is relying on the definition of an “Area” park (acreage and Tennis/BB Courts) and are trying to fulfill the purpose of these Area Parks by driving more visitors to the Park

·         The Residents are very surprised that Capstone was designated an Area Park given its unique characteristics

·         The Capstone residents don't understand why the guidelines for Area Park designation does not consider other very important criteria, such as:

o   Parking Capacity

o   School Zones

o   20 MPH SPEED LIMIT TO GET TO PARK

o   Direct Impact to Residents on path to Park

Pertinent points to note when speaking – Capstone Neighborhood and Park do not have the capacity to handle the impact of increased park traffic (by adding restrooms): 

·         Speeding Issues: Neighbors have long complained about speeding issues on Capstone Circle. Increased park traffic would further exasberate chronic speeding issues.

·         20-mph Speed Limit: Capstone Park would be the ONLY AREA PARK WITH RESTROOMS on main access road with 20mph speed limit. Most are 30-35 mph  

·         Cut-Through Traffic: Capstone Circle already has a major problem with high school cut-through traffic. Added park visitors will increase traffic issues.

·         Park Parking Capacity:  Capstone would be the ONLY AREA PARK WITH RESTROOMS with the fewest parking space (13). During the Assessment Study, it was stated that Capstone Park restrooms were planned for tennis league play, as they require a bathroom.  Overflow parking will be forced to park on streets, often in front of resident’s property. This will further impede traffic and put our residents and children at serious risk as they walk/bike across Capstone Circle.  

·         2 School Zones: Capstone Park would appear to be the ONLY AREA PARK WITH RESTROOMS with 2 school zones at each end of Capstone Circle. Multiple cars are already backed up waiting to drop off/pickup at the back of Powell. Increased visitors to the park would put our children in more danger as they walk/bike and cross Capstone Circle at multiple intersections and the Powell back crosswalk, to get to/from school.

·         Risk Safety of Children and Residents:  The added park traffic will drive by front facing houses/driveways on Capstone Circle and increase risks to children playing in their front yards and cars trying to enter/leave driveways. All residents and especially children crossing Capstone Circle (at 4 intersections and Powell crosswalk) in their daily activities will be in more danger

·         Homes in close proximity to PUBLIC RESTROOMS: MOST ALL AREA PARKS WITH RESTROOMS have NO front facing homes with driveways at park entrance. Up to 19 home/driveways must be passed to get to Capstone Park - 8 homes/driveways on Capstone Circle along one side of the park - 5 home/driveways on Flagstone Path along one side of the park, with several other home directly backing up to the park and 3 homes/driveways across from the park entrance. The added park traffic will have to drive by houses/driveways on Capstone Circle and increase risks to children playing in their front yards and cars trying to enter/leave driveways

The homes in closest proximity of park will be directly impacted by additional park traffic - Overflow Parking will be in front of their home - limit resident parking when friends visit - risks damage to lawn/sprinklers - directly impact value/aesthetics by blocking view of park. Having a PUBLIC RESTROOM in close proximity will increase noise, foot traffic, smell, etc.

Many thanks to Township board member, Bob Milner, who requested the Capstone restroom issue be put back on the agenda. He requested it be placed on the May 24 agenda, but unfortunately, we will be unable to hear his opinion (and possible vote) as the issue was placed on the May 18th meeting agenda and he will be out of town.  Please make an effort to call and email (bcc or send to them individually) the following board members and Township Executive Team before Thursday as we still need to reach out.

Request they remove the AREA PARK designation from Capstone Park, as well as stop construction of the restrooms. 

Chairman, Dr. Ann Snyder, asnyder@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov 

Brad Bailey (board member), bbailey@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Richard Franks (board member), rfranks@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, 346-334-0899

Linda Nelson (board member), lnelson@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, 346-334-4191

Kyle Watson (board member), kwatson@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Monique Sharp, President and Chief Executive Officer, msharpe@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Karen Dempsey, Chief Administrative Officer, kdempsey@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Dr. Chris Nunes, Chief Operating Officer, cnunes@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

(Bob Milner and Dr Shelley Sekula-Gibbs are standing with us so not necessary to contact them)

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ann Perry at 936-321-6257.