04/12/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. at the rate of 7% interest. Mr. Allen said the main point of dissatisfaction that came out in staff hearings was with the city's assessment policy. He pointed out that the present assessment policy was thr esult of a rather lengthy study conducted in 1974 and that staff at this time knew of no circumstances that would justify amending that policy. A short recess was taken, after which public hearing was opened. Howard P. Egger, 4200 Oak Street, was in favor of going ahead with the improvement. He said it would remove the hazard of a narrow and unimproved street with inade- quate grade and lack of turn lanes; it would provide a needed traffic light at 46th and Willamette; restroation of guard rail along his property would be bene- ficial; inflationary trend would increase the cost if the project was delayed. He said that sidewalks were needed, but he proposed that they be installed on one side only adjacent to the cemetery area; if they were installed on both side, he thought they should be used as bikeways. He noted that the terrain in the South Willamette area tended to make bike traffic nonexistent and said that the $90,000 for increased width of the street improvement for bike lanes would be a waste. He thought it would be better used for a pedestrian crossing light at 46th and Willamette. He noted the increase in cost for the project since it was brought to the Council eight years ago and urged the Council not to delay any longer; he felt there had been sufficient time since then for those presenting remonstrances to provide for financing. . Louis Farnsworth, 715 East 44th Avenue, speaking for the executive committee of the South Hills Neighborhood Association, said a more equitable assessment pro- cedure was needed for properties abutting arterial street improvements. The pre- sent procedure, he said, is ambiguous and assessed only those properties abutting the improvement rather than all of those receiving the benefit of its use. He suggested holding up the assessment for this project until a more equitable assess- ment procedure was developed that would spread the cost over a broader base. Citing similar reasons for proceeding with the project now were Reverend L. Roda- kowski, 4330 Willamette Street, and Connie Wilson, 435 Lochmoor Place. Opposed to the project were Joy S. Goolsby, 18 East 47th Avenue; Rosalie and Jim Lemert, 10 East 40th Avenue; Charles Wiper, 805 West 36th Avenue, representing Rest Haven Memorial Park; Steve Mayer, 50 Coachman Drive; Jon B. Schultz, 40 Oak Court. Objections were based on financial impact on owners of abutting properties, suggested need for a more equitable method of assessment, lack of benefit to some of the abutting properties, detraction from some properties because of the resulting proximity to property lines, increase in traffic counts. The Lemerts presented slides of the area showing access to various properties, or lack of it. They also presented a petition suggesting delay of the project until the November election to give the opportunity for a vote on the issue of changing the assessment method. Mr. Wiper opposed the installation of sidewalks on both sides of the street, saying the landmark wall constructed by the cemetery property would have to be taken out if a sidewalk was installed there. Also, other plans for development and beautification of that property would be altered if a walk was put in on the west side of the street. . Mr. Mayer, as well as the others, thought assessments against owners of abutting properties should be shared by those people living farther to the south who would also benefit from the improvement of this section of Willamette. Mr. Schulz in jest noted the neighborhood association's proposal for construction of a toll booth at one end of the project so that those using the street would pay for it. Seriously, he said, the Association did take action - to seek support from other 180 , 4/12/76 - 7