The law of unintended consequences is poised and ready to rear its ugly head with regards tothe proposed changes to the retail development at 136 th and Zuni..

When Legacy High School was built at the northwest corner of 136 th and Zuni, it raised the water table in the area. This unintended consequence required intervention from the EPA, the City of Westminster and Melody Homes to remove mold and mildew from several Amherst homes, and to improve and enhance the drainage system to divert water and prevent further damage.

The proposed changes to the retail development at 136 th and Zuni include not only a significant increase in the size and number of buildings, but will also require changes in site elevation and the existing flood plain, including realigning Quail Creek. While these changes have been studied and approved as part of Broomfield's flood control plan, there does not appear to have been any thought given to the impact these changes will have on Westminster:

• Will the changes impact the water table, similar to those that occurred after Legacy HS was built? What efforts are being made to address this very real possibility?
• What type of impact will the changes have upon Westminster's current efforts to address flooding and drainage issues in the immediate area?

I realize that the Army Corps of Engineers has approved the changes to Quail Creek in the area of 136 th and Zuni, and that each city is responsible only for what occurs within its own jurisdiction. However, just because you can do something, does not mean that you should do it, particularly if it will have an adverse impact upon your neighbors.