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I I I Council Meeting Minutes - March 23, 1999 Page 5 Public Hearini. continued Doug Solmonson, 891 Mooney Dr., feels narrowing Foss Rd. could cause safety issues at Old Hwy 8, and create difficult turning movements for larger vehicles. Also, a wider boulevard will eliminate the ability for the mobile home park to construct larger homes. He noted previous flooding at Foss Rd. and Totem Pole Park, and asked if the narrowing would intensify flooding. Olson said staff intents to address the Foss Rd. drainage issues by increasing the storm sewer pipe and catch basin capacity. Benke asked if the 44 ft. street width could be retained. Olson confirmed there is an 8 ft. right- of-way (ROW) from the existing northside curb of Foss Rd. to the ROW line which would allow for a 3 ft. boulevard if utility easements were not purchased. Benke asked the process required to install a sidewalk on the utility easement on Foss Rd. City Attorney Charlie LeFevere said the owner of the utility easement would need to provide City access. Bev Apilkowski, Lakeside Mobile Home Park and utility easement owner, stated willingness to meet with staff regarding the use of the easement. Jed Havercamp, 57 16th Ave. SW, is withdrawing support for the sidewalk because of diminished parking capacity and shifting center road line. He would support the installation of chokers and throats at mid-block, and sidewalks on both sides. Joan Elwell, 42 16th Ave. SW, supports installation of sidewalks with a parking lane on one side. She questioned the effectiveness of stop signs, and found traffic calming methods such as narrowed streets, landscaping, and modified street texture more efficient. If sidewalks were not installed, she supports the choker option. Marian Mayer, 49 16th Ave. SW, noted concerns about narrowing the roadway. Don Schlagel, former resident of 115 16th Ave SW, supports the wider road without sidewalks. One resident feels the narrowed streets could make emergency vehicle access difficult. Gerald Olson, 1621 Co. Rd. E, asked the reason for the 9-ton design, and said semi- trucks have begun using 16th Ave. Brian Olson said to utilize MSA funds the road must be built at a 9-ton design. City Engineer Les Proper said a 9-ton road provides a much longer life, and has not heard 16th Ave. being used as a truck route. Gerald Olson asked if there could be encroachments onto private property. Brian Olson suspects that Gerald Olson's property may require an easement because of sight grades, staff will be in contact with him. One resident requested additional street lights in the area of the hill and turn. Staff will also investigate the merits of speed bumps. Dr. Candace Beaulieu, 1690 1st St. SW, thanked the Engineering stafffor the development of the reconstruction plan, and feels very few people now park on 16th Ave. She questioned if properties with sidewalks will lose a portion of driveway space. One resident asked if the pitch along the railroad tracks could be regraded. Benke indicated the hearing should be continued to April 13, 1999, to allow for staff research and recommendations. Residents should contact staff for any further questions. Public Hearing Project 99-1, Highcrest Area Street Reconstruction Report 99-069