05/19/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e road shoulders and deep ditches on one side. In thinking of the future, he noted the Bethel area will be rapidly growing because of people wanting to put in trailer courts, etc. There will also be many housing developments. LaVerne Whaley, 4682 Royal, expressed agreement with the need for the widening project but does not feel just the abutting property owners should have to pay for it since so many people will be using the street. He also does not see the need for sidewalks though he thought a bike path would be worthwhile. As he would be financially burdened, he does not feel the assessment program used is fair. He added he would have to sell part of his land and also cannot understand widening the street if Royal will at some future point be cut off at Beltline. Harry Wilson, 4241 Royal, said the street is dangerous and there is too much traffic but is against paying for a street used by so many. It is becoming more of a highway, he added, as he has observed countless large trucks traveling on the street. Ruth Sturdivant, 4450 Royal, also has observed many heavy trucks traveling on Royal. She added phone lines have been torn down by some log trucks. She expressed displeasure with no parking provisions for visitors. H. Goertzen, 4469 Royal, felt widening of the street and providing bike paths, though costly, would be advisable at the present time. However, he feels sidewalks are unnecessary as there are no "shopping centers or other places to walk to". e Ken Gilbert, 261 Hollyview, said he owns 600-650' of property west of Danebo on the north side. Since there is little property developed from Danebo west, it does not seem beneficial to improve Royal in that area at this time. He also questioned how many people would use the sidewalks. Linda Hatfield, 2189 Dewey, has had problems with bikeriding on Royal, Slnce there are no shoulders. The need for sidewalks is debatable, however, ln her opinion. Lillie Rasmussen, 3920 Royal, said she believes in progress and thinks there is a need for places for people to walk, but "perhaps the sidewalks and bike paths could be combined". Thinking in aesthetic terms, she wondered how close the road would come under her front window, particularly if Royal is a major arterial with much truck traffic. She is worried about the cost and feels at least parking should be provided if the abutting property owners have to pay for it all. Russell Stewart, 4190 Royal, does not feel the property owners want any sidewalks. He felt the only way to have sidewalks would be to put a tax on bikes to require that others share the cost. A letter from Muriel Roberts was read into the record, in which she requested that when Royal is improved the sidewalk be postponed as she is negotiating the sale of her property. - Public hearing was closed. from a staff standpoint, it was mentioned that, while the proposal before the Council is a width that can accommodate a bikepath and that is staff's recommendation, the question of how that width is used is a matter that can be settled later by Council. 2..72 5/19/75 2