We the undersigned, request the City to approve the Plan of Development for the proposed Saint Bridget Middle School to be located at 6112 Three Chopt Road, without requiring a traffic study, for the following reasons:

1. Traffic is of course a concern to all members of this community. However, no new vehicles will be generated by the new Middle School. The 35 vehicles anticipated to go to the new Middle School are vehicles that already travel to the existing campus and will simply be rerouted. These vehicles are already in the neighborhood. The relocation of these 35 vehicles will provide little impact on the overall traffic conditions in the area, and may even help relieve traffic on York Road.
2. Delaying or conditioning the approval of the Plan of Development for the new Middle School is inappropriately placing blame on Saint Bridget School for traffic issues caused by a number of factors, including St. Catherine's School, St. Christopher's School, St. Stephen's Day School, and normal, every day traffic generated from the neighborhood.
3. There is a short, temporary period of time in the morning (7:45-8:00 am) for drop off and in the afternoon (15-20 minutes) that is consistent and predictable.
4. There have been concerns raised about parking. The design of the new Middle School will meet all City parking requirements and will actually free up additional parking in the neighborhood.
5. Saint Bridget School contributes to the Richmond community in many ways and the new Middle School will provide additional opportunities to make a positive impact. The relocation of grades 6-8 will add no new students and is simply a desire to provide a better educational experience for its students.
6. Restoration of the former Westhampton Baptist Church is a benefit to the entire community. This Church was established in the old Rio Vista village in 1911, as the only congregation west of the Boulevard, 3 years prior to the location of the University of Richmond and is a wonderful example of gothic revival. Repurposing an existing structure is an effort that should be applauded and accepted, not delayed and opposed.

We support an increase in traffic safety in the entire neighborhood surrounding St. Bridget School and an enforcement of existing laws. Any traffic study should necessarily include traffic generated by all schools in the area as well as traffic resulting from neighborhood residential and commercial properties. In no case will the new Middle School create any additional traffic and should not be burdened with solving existing traffic problems by requiring a traffic study for the needs of the greater community. We ask that the City immediately approve the Plan of Development for the new Middle School as soon as possible, without condition of or requirement for a traffic study.