Dear Members of the County Board of Supervisors,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Upper West Side development. As a 40-year-old father of three and a homeowner on Garden Highway for the past 18 years, I have witnessed firsthand the growing concerns regarding road safety and traffic in our neighborhood.

Garden Highway is an urban road, not a main thoroughfare, yet the recent rise in traffic has transformed it into a high-speed danger zone. The addition of industrial warehouse spaces and increasing traffic on nearby freeways has resulted in more vehicles, many of which are traveling at unsafe speeds. Despite its growing use, Garden Highway lacks a proper shoulder, and the road is simply not built to handle this kind of traffic.

As a result, my family’s safety is at serious risk. I no longer feel comfortable allowing my children to even walk out to get the mail because of the constant stream of speeding vehicles. Over the years, three separate cars have crashed into the fencing around my property, which sits on a curve in the road. This raises alarming concerns about what will happen if an additional 25,000 residents are added to the area through the Upper West Side development.

Moreover, the frequent passage of large trucks only adds to the risk. Garden Highway wasn’t designed to accommodate such heavy traffic, and without any shoulder or pedestrian protection, it’s simply not safe for families like mine. The road infrastructure must be upgraded to ensure the safety of current residents before any further development is considered.

I strongly urge the Board to take into account the safety and well-being of the existing community. The current state of Garden Highway is inadequate to support the proposed increase in residents and traffic. Until significant improvements are made to the road infrastructure, I believe the Upper West Side development should not move forward.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am more than willing to discuss my concerns further if needed.

I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the Upper Westside development, primarily due to the potential harm it will cause to our environment, particularly the destruction of local wetlands and the disruption of natural habitats. Having lived in this area for many years, I have come to value the natural spaces that contribute to our community’s unique character and provide important ecological benefits.

The wetlands that will be affected by this development serve as critical flood control zones and natural habitats for wildlife, including species that are already struggling with the pressures of urban expansion. According to the environmental impact reports, over 45 acres of wetlands will be permanently destroyed by this project​. While mitigation efforts are mentioned, they are unlikely to fully compensate for the long-term ecological damage this development will cause. These wetlands are not just empty spaces; they are vital for the local ecosystem, supporting wildlife and maintaining water quality.

Furthermore as climate change continues to intensify, preserving natural areas like wetlands becomes even more important for flood management. Paving over these areas for new development will increase the risk of flooding in nearby communities, a danger that cannot be overlooked, especially in light of recent years of unpredictable weather patterns.

I urge the Board to reconsider this project in light of its lasting environmental impact. Once these wetlands are destroyed, they cannot be easily replaced, and the damage to our local ecosystem will be irreversible. Protecting our environment should be a priority, not an afterthought.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Upper Westside development due to the overwhelming impact it will have on road safety along Garden Highway, particularly for residents who rely on cycling or walking for transportation. As someone who regularly walks along the highway and uses a bike to get around, I am deeply concerned about the dangers posed by the increased traffic and lack of proper infrastructure.

Garden Highway already lacks basic pedestrian paths, sidewalks, and safe cycling lanes. With the proposed development, the surge in vehicles will make it nearly impossible for those of us who walk or cycle to safely share the road. The highway is narrow, with sharp turns and little visibility, and without dedicated lanes or protections, pedestrians and cyclists are at serious risk of accidents. The development plans do not include substantial improvements for non-motorized transportation, despite the huge increase in traffic that will follow.

I’ve personally experienced close calls with vehicles while cycling, and with the expected rise in traffic from this project, those risks will only multiply. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about safety. If this development proceeds without addressing the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, it will put lives at risk. There needs to be a clear plan to create safe paths and infrastructure for those of us who use alternative transportation, particularly on a highway that is already hazardous.

I urge you to delay the approval of this project until there are comprehensive solutions to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists along Garden Highway.