Resident criticizes months-long roadwork, blames dust for property and health impacts

Richard Jackson Loomis addressed the Loomis Planning Commission during public comment to complain about ongoing roadwork around Brace Road and Main Street, saying temporary and then permanent changes to turn lanes and entrances have blocked access to the commercial area for more than three weeks.

"They've cut off all the entrances, all the turn lanes for over 3 weeks," Loomis said, adding that contractors left permanent markers eliminating turn lanes while work stalled. He said a contractor told him crews were "just waiting on permits to work on the creek." Loomis also said dust from the project damaged his property: "I'm eating enough dust that it cost me $17,000 to put in a new air conditioner," and said the dust negatively affected his health, noting he uses oxygen at night.

The commission allowed the comment during the period reserved for items not on the agenda after the chair explained the short-term rental ordinance had been removed from the agenda and comments on that item could be made during general public comment. No town staff response to Loomis's specific allegations was recorded during the meeting.

The complaint raised three discrete issues: traffic access changes and apparent long delays on the roadway work, a contractor explanation that permit delays were the cause, and reported property and health impacts attributed to dust. The commission did not take formal action on the roadwork during this meeting; the public comment period concluded with no immediate staff follow-up reported on the record.

Going forward, Loomis said he will "be following the issue and will voice my thoughts and ideas as it progresses."