04/14/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e \\'idening and additional paving l\'Quld take away from the Ilonurb;!n parklike character. lIe said hOI\'ever that some things did Ileed attention - the curb on Agate at 31st J.;as too narrow, there \vas no place to \Valk, making it extreme 1y dangerous; the street should not continue to be the only access to the hilltop; emergency equipment access was difficult in bad weather. He noted that long-range plans call for an extension of Spring Boulevard to connect at 30th but there'was no definite time set when that would occur. In the meantime, he said, increasing traffic and the danger involved made development of an alternate route necessary and that alternate route should not be considered the improvement of Agate Street. He said culverts should be installed and covered in the ditch on the east side of Agate south of Cameo. And he felt as- phalt would be better than concrete, that a curb would be unnecessary and hazardous. Jean Tattersall, 3450 Harris Street, said she had a written report from the fire de- partment saying that department had no trouble with response time because of the con- dition of Agate Street. The one time there was trouble, she said, was because of ice, not because of the narrow street. She said too there was misconception in the plan- ning department with regard to desire for curbs and gutters on the street. Most of the people, she said, preferred a good pedestrian path or walkway. She felt curb and gutter would be unnecessary in that area. ~Ielva Ellingsen, 3192 Agate Street; Don Campbell, 1675 Cameo, Fred Divita, 1655 Cameo; and James Giustina, 6\ming property on Agate Street; also objected to the improvement as designed, calling rather for a bike or pedestrian path and some alternate type of improvement because of the steep grade. Also cited was lack of use of the street for school bus transportation and rcslllting need for a walkway. Public hearing was cloased, there being no further testimony. Assistant ~Ianager noted receipt of letter fro:n Dorothy Campbell, 1595 East 31st Avenue, obj ecting to the proposed improvement ~. r!c u 1 so noted staff's feel ing that improvements all the east side of the street south of Cameo ,,'ollld be consistent I,'i th the ci ty' s community goals and policies. He said that careful considendon should be given to uses over tile entire year and the separation of auto and pedestrian traffic, rather than building improvements to accommodate unusually bad \vcather such as that ex- perienced during the past winter. Councilman ~urray asked for staff respollse regarding alternates to installation of curb and gutter. Don Allen, public works director, answered that curbs and gutters were considered standard for permanently improved streets in the city for a number of reasons. Gravel walks were not considered safe for either pedestrians or bikes, sidewalks are concrete primarily to avoid maintenance problems, street sweepers and maintenance equipment are better operated on curb-and-gutter streets, etc. He hesitated to change specifications because of the hazards involved for both bike riders and pedestrians, and he noted several other streets improved in this/manner with steeper grades than Agate. He recognized the hazard at certairi times of the year [if ice accumulated] but thought overall it would be better than asphalt without curb and gutter. He added that another problem could be delineation bet\Veen sidewalk and roadway areas causing a problem with parking, especially adjacent to residential areas. Assistant Manager thought trying to minimize costs of the improvement would only lead to other problems, create hazards, and invite maintenance problems. Councilwoman Shirey was concerned about access to the area and the hazard of gravel paths for pedestrians and bikes. She wondered whether a sloped curb could be in- stalled. She asked too about access from Agate to the west. Mr. Allen noted the disadvantages of rolled curbs - autos will be parked on sidewalks, water runoff is not as efficient, etc. - and said that changing from the accepted standard verticle sidewalk would not be recommended, especially on hillsides. Assistant ~~nager added l59 4/14/75 - 7