Neighbor calls for greater outreach on Bear Creek outdoor education site behind homes
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Summary
A resident who lives adjacent to the Bear Creek property asked the board to include nearby homeowners in final planning, raise safety and placement questions about structures and toilets, and requested a site walk with planners.
A resident whose property borders the Bear Creek outdoor education site raised concerns at the Phoenix-Talent School District 4 meeting about outreach, placement of structures and long-term maintenance.
Jody Fay said she purchased her home nearly three years ago with an understanding that the adjacent flood-zone land provided privacy and would not be developed. “The first we heard about the project was in early June when the letter arrived on our doorsteps on a Friday saying the cleanup work would begin the following Monday,” Fay said. She told the board recent cleanup activity had disturbed tree roots and reduced the vegetation that previously buffered homes from freeway noise and activity behind the properties.
Fay said she supports outdoor education but objected to the process and to being excluded from early stakeholder meetings. She asked the district to include adjacent homeowners in final planning, to conduct a walk of the property with homeowners and planners, and to clarify placement of covered structures and a composting toilet. “Will the new view include rooftops of gazebos or the compostable toilet? It's difficult to tell from the map,” she said.
Board members discussed options for next steps. District staff described two paths: (1) issuing a request for proposals if the district plans to fund capital work directly, or (2) entering a memorandum of understanding with an outside partner who would seek grant funding and cover fees from awarded grants. Staff said a partner-led grant approach would not require an RFP but would need an MOU that specifies community outreach, oversight and approval checkpoints.
Board members emphasized the need for clear outreach and community input. One trustee said the board expects homeowner engagement and the ability to review and approve placement of facilities such as toilet structures. Staff said they would draft a proposed agreement that would detail outreach responsibilities and bring that draft to the board for review at a subsequent meeting. The board asked that any agreement include checkpoints enabling district approval of facility siting and maintenance responsibilities.
No final policy or contract was approved at the meeting; staff were directed to return with a draft MOU or proposal that includes neighbor engagement and oversight provisions.