Document text
--> --> Strawberry Lane LID causes stir By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Residents of the steep, semi-wooded Strawberry Lane area are concerned a proposed Local Improvement District will bring unwanted changes and charges to their neighborhood. About a dozen neighbors spoke Tuesday in front of the Ashland City Council and a full chamber of more than 60 audience members, pleading with the council members to consider the issue carefully before approving the LID. "I've lived here 22 years and I'm resigned to the dust in the summer and potholes in the winter," Merle Mills said. "You'd think I would welcome paved streets, but I don't. The money could be better used in other areas." The project - which would pave streets, provide sidewalks, storm drains and other improvements - is estimated to cost $1.076 million, with residents paying for about $435,000, developers of a Strawberry Lane project kicking in $136,000 and the city covering the remainder. The LID would assess neighbors about $4,140 per lot. "This will be one of the largest, most comprehensive LIDs we've ever done," Ashland Planning Director John McLaughlin said. Ashland Public Works Director Paula Brown said the city plans to cut as few trees as possible to improve streets and sidewalks, and will bring residents in for more input when the design is 35 percent complete. However, many residents wanted to make sure their voices were heard early in the process. Most were against sidewalks and paving of the streets, especially in the steep, ice-prone areas such as the lower section of Strawberry Lane. "I built my house here because I like the woods," Harry Bartell said. "This proposal is going to make the woods look like a city street. "What's the great need for sidewalks?" Because of the steep grades, residents argued people, as a rule, don't walk in much of the area. "This may be a hiker neighborhood, but I really don't think this is a walking neighborhood," area resident Jerry Taylor said. However, that may change when the new development atop Strawberry Lane is finished. Children in those homes will need sidewalks to safely walk to school, Councilor Susan Reid said. "I worry about the kids' safety," Reid said. "Maybe sidewalks don't have to be everywhere, but I want to provide safety for those children." The council directed staff to bring back the plan when it is 35 percent complete, along with various alternatives with less sidewalks, stepped sidewalks, minimum tree removal and high traction pavement where needed. "It seems to me, if nobody wants sidewalks, why do we need them?" Councilor Cameron Hanson said, getting a big cheer from the audience. Councilor John Morrison agreed. "We should be looking at a plan that is consistent with the special nature of the neighborhood," he said. Mayor Alan DeBoer assured the neighbors that any trees scheduled for removal would be tagged to give notice of their fate. The initial plan will likely come back to the council and the neighbors at a public meeting in February or March. In other business, the council: · lifted the no-waste provision of water curtailment in the city; · approved first reading of an ordinance changing the composition of the Demolition Review Committee to include five members; · approved a liquor license application from Jeff Pygott, doing business as Jeff's Harvest Market. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing