Open House Comments

Marty Beaudet
With the Damascus Concept Plan showing Vogel Road as the most likely future extension of Sunnyside, it seems more forward thinking and cost-effective in the long term to continue a straight alignment from 162nd across Rock Creek to Vogel. Buy R.O.W. from Gramore now and save the cost of an S-curve connection and the more expensive R.O.W. for that later. Plan ahead for once!

Response No. 1: The alignment for Sunnyside Road from SE 162nd to SE 172nd is following the preferred alternative alignment as shown in the Environmental Assessment and the Revised Environmental Assessment. The deviation from the existing corridor would have far reaching impacts. After the public open house, the design team has analyzed an alignment that would connect Sunnyside Road into Vogel Road east of SE 172nd Avenue. This alignment is feasible and could be constructed in the future without any impact to the Sunnyside Road/SE 172nd Intersection other than removal of some of the temporary paving. All construction work east of SE 172nd is temporary and only necessary to operate the signal efficiently and provide adequate storage lengths for the intersection. The future alignment of Sunnyside Road east of SE 172nd will need to be analyzed by either future projects or as a part the Final Damascus Transportation System Plan, and is outside the scope of the current Sunnyside Road Project.

Michael Lesh
We definitely need access into our driveway from the West at all times. I have more than one property that is being affected by this project. I have a MAJOR concern about the animals, especially the deer having nowhere to be or to go. They are without now because of all of the building going on all around us. This is a sanctuary that needs to remain as is.

Response No. 2: The specific access to Mr. Lesh’s property (Properties #138 and #140) will connect to the new public access road “C”. Access Road “C” will have a left turn into the roadway from Sunnyside Road. There will not be a left turn out permitted, however a west bound U-turn will be permitted at SE 162nd.

Relating to the comment on the animals and deer, the removal of the existing culvert and construction of a bridge along SE Sunnyside Road at the crossing with Rock Creek will open up the Rock Creek corridor for wildlife passage. The greatest impact upon animals and deer will be the surrounding development.

Ron Allen
Always go larger than presently needed - save money and time in the future!

Response No. 3: The design is based upon 2030 traffic model forecast, which is the basis for a five lane section.

Laura Creswell
Easy access on driveway - take left and right turns in or out. Big vehicles can't make U-turns :o) ??!

Response No. 4: This property (#141) will connect to Access Road “C”. Access Road “C” will have right-in/right-out access along with left-in access. A U-turn will be permitted at SE 162nd. If larger vehicles cannot make a U-turn, there are other ways the vehicle can utilize public roadways to head eastbound. One example would be to turn north on SE 162nd, west at the new roadway just north of Sunnyside Road, and southbound along SE 157th, where there is a signalized intersection with Sunnyside Road.

Jim McCabe
Our concern is the divider that would prevent emergency vehicles from making a left turn, making it necessary to proceed to 172nd and making a u-turn. I have had 3 heart attacks; have congestive heart failure, respiratory problems, (COPD) diabetes, sleep apnea and difficulty walking. I had a quadruple by-pass (open heart surgery) in 1999 and a pace making in 2000. I have 19% of a functional heart.

Response No. 5: A left-turn in has been added into Access Road “C”.

Ken & Shaunda Stricklin
Everything so far seems ok with the exception of access for the properties surrounding ours. We disagree with having no left turn access to our driveway when traveling eastbound on Sunnyside. The biggest concern is emergency access. My (Ken) Stepfather lives next door to us and is in very poor health. He has had multiple heart attacks and other numerous problems. Shaunda's mother lives with us and is also in poor health. She has had two heart attacks in the last two months. Minutes can make the difference in a heart attack situation. Our other, lesser concern is making a right turn into a driveway with our motor home and boat. It would be difficult at best. As discussed, a possible short-term solution (5-10 years) of a left turn lane ingress - right turn egress could be feasible with potential better access from 162nd later.

Response No. 6: A left-turn in has been added into Access Road “C”.

Ginny Parham
Looks good - as long as Sunnyside after 172nd stays as a rural road and Sunnyside is relocated to Vogel & East.

Response No. 7: See Response No. 1.

Bryan Dickerson
Can access road C be a public road with potential to serve future development? Is there any opportunity to make the storm water ponds over-sized to accommodate future development adjacent to or upstream … possibly with an option to buy into it?

Response No. 8: Access Road “C” will be a public roadway which could potentially serve as a future development connection. The ponds cannot be oversized because of limited space.

Chuck Kisselburg
I would like to know how committed this effort is in meshing with Damascus' planning efforts? When looking at the work of the County's Advisory Council regarding the concept plan, one of the items put forth was an east bound flow of Sunnyside that merges with Vogel. The terrain of Vogel can more easily accommodate larger volumes of traffic than the terrain of the current Sunnyside from 172nd to Hwy 212. I have seen projects occur that have been out of synch with each other. This is why I want to understand how committed the county is in meshing this project with Damascus' planning project. Even if Damascus determines that Sunnyside should indeed turn northward (east of 172nd) to Vogel instead of the currently indicated path.

Response No. 9: See Response No. 1.

Anne Middleton
I am concerned about the 172nd & Sunnyside Road intersection and the straightening of the curve just east of 172nd. This will speed traffic up in front of my house and make it even more difficult to get out of my driveway. It is dangerous as it is right now, but the sharper curve slows people down (a little). I have lost 3 pets in front of my house in the last two years. Please reconsider changing the curve - it is already a highway in front of my house.

Response No. 10: The curve radius is based upon 35 mph design speed. The existing curve is sub-standard. We visited the Middleton’s residence and found a sight distance issue with the existing driveway. Brush along the north side of the driveway severely limits sight distance. The project will remove this brush and improve the sight distance, which will improve safety.

Richard Wehbey
Need to straighten Sunnyside East of 172nd and place a "T" to have access to DeJagen property or Sunnyside past 172nd to go eastward.

Response No. 11: See Response No. 1.

Richard Millet
I would like a more detailed map of the intersection at 172nd and Sunnyside Road. My main interest is what is happening south on 172nd

Response No. 12: SE 172nd south of Sunnyside Road will be improved as a part of a separate project. Detailed maps have not been developed by the County for this stretch of roadway.

Monty Cranston
I am Secretary for Rock Creek Greens, Inc. Please forward basic data relating to EA PAC for 172nd. We reside on Stoney Brook, Rock Creek Court and several homes on 172nd.

Response No. 13: This request will be forwarded to the design team and County for the public involvement process for SE 172nd which is not yet underway.