To the editor:

As citizens and municipal taxpayers in Lawrence, we are totally opposed to our city wasting tax dollars to connect Folks Road to Mulberry Drive.

Citizens living in our neighborhood are not in favor of this proposal because: (1) there is no need for it, and (2) it wastes tax dollars. The Oakley tract, southwest of the intersection of Sixth Street and Folks Road, and some adjacent parcels are currently zoned agricultural. This area is surrounded on three sides by single-family, owner-occupied homes. These neighborhoods are zoned RS-2, and so should the southern two-thirds of the Oakley tract.

This proposed roadway connection would create a shortcut between Sixth Street and 15th Street for KU traffic exiting and entering the developed Oakley tract. Student housing is the developer’s and owner-of-record’s specialty. The connection would also provide direct access into and out of the neighborhood for increased Free State High School traffic.

During a recent weekday, mid-morning traffic watch we counted 132 vehicles per hour at the corner of Harvard Road and Mulberry Drive. We do not want to make existing congestion worse.

We implore the City Commission NOT to put the cart before the horse. Please do not build a roadway where and when there is no requirement for it.

Our tax dollars, already in short supply, should support far more urgent programs and services.

Rezone the Oakley area first, then determine what roadways are required to support the area as developed.

Dave and Mary Hanson,

Lawrence