05/23/1983 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Councilor Obie asked for an estimate of the total assessment to adjacent property owners. Mr. Teitzel said the property owners along the improved section would be paying for an equivalent 20-foot wide street (approximately $40 per front foot), with the City paying for the center eight-foot section of the roadway. Although the project is budgeted for $70,000, Mr. Teitzel approximated the cost of the project to be $110,000, of which $90,000 would be assessed. Public hearing was opened. No public testimony was given in favor of the proposal. Speaking in opposition to the proposal: Joe Farmer, 1680 Lorane Highway, spokesperson for the Lorane Highway Committee, stated the committee's displeasure with the proposal. He said the plans completely ignore the wishes of the committee and the 94 property owners between Washington Street and Chambers Street. He said it is the desire of the committee to retain the unique rural atmosphere of the area. Mr. Farmer stated that the committee has met with City representatives and has corresponded with Mr. Lindquist. Referring to the October 6, 1983, letter from Mr. Lindquist to Mr. Teitzel, he said the committee had found the school district to be in favor only of a four-foot wide walkway from Fillmore to Chambers, and not in the project as proposed by Mr. Teitzel and Mr. Allen. He said the committee feels that only resurfacing under the City maintenance program and the installation of the gravel walkway is needed. Mr. Farmer commented that communication is lacking, stating that the opinions of the property owners have been ignored while the project has progressed. He said the property owners recognize the need to update the highway with improved shoulders and drainage and that the committee has researched the issues of safety and environmental impact on the area. He stated that Jan Gunn of the committee had met with Mr. Lindquist and representa- tives of the district and they had agreed on a four-foot wide gravel shoulder from Fillmore to Chambers, a painted crosswalk at Hionda, and appropriate "School Zone" signs in the area. Mr. Farmer distributed pictures of a gravel walkway on Gilham Road similar to the one proposed by the committee. He said that the crosswalk as proposed by the City is inappropriately placed and would require his children to cross the road twice. Mr. Farmer, distributing pictures of the Hionda and Lorane Highway intersection, suggested placing a stop sign at the intersection because it is a blind corner. Mr. Farmer stated that increasing the width of the roadway from the present 20-22 foot width will add to the problems, stating that people who live along newly widened roads have observed vehicle speeds to increase after the improve- ments. He added that the highway is part of the Coast to Coast Bicentennial Bike Route and that bikers surveyed had called for an open roadway rather than the designated lanes. He said that parking is now restricted and curbs would eliminate on-street parking and would create problems for vehicles entering or leaving driveways. Mr. Farmer said that the highway was built many years ago and has been enjoyed by many people. He stated the City Engineer treats the two sections of the highway differently, with Fillmore Street as the dividing line. Mr. Farmer stated that the highway is similar to those found in the surrounding valleys and asked the council to reexamine the facts and make an on-site inspection prior to making a final decision. He stated that the property owners wished to preserve the rural setting in which they had chosen to reside. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 23, 1983 Page 8