7A, 2013 Pavement Management Program - Public Hearing Ridgewood, Asbury, Edgewater, and Glenhill Neighborhood

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John Anderson From: thomas fabel Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 2:55 PM To: David Grant; Brenda Holden; Fran Holmes; edwerner88 @yahoo.com; nick @llgardens.com Cc: John Anderson Subject: 2013 Pavement Management Program Mayor Grant and Members of the City Council: My name is Tom Fabel. My wife Jean and I have resided at 1550 Edgewater in Arden Hills for the past 28 1/2 years. I am writing with regard to the proposed 2013 street improvements, which will include our block on Edgewater Avenue. First, I wish to compliment the city engineer's office for the thorough and professional report it has prepared on this project, and also on its courtesy and responsiveness to neighborhood questions and concerns. Both at the October 23 meeting at City Hall and in a subsequent neighborhood visit by Assistant City Engineer John Anderson, the office demonstrated high levels of competence and professionalism. Also, the City Council itself deserves praise for street paving policies which are flexible and responsive to the needs and concerns of individual neighborhoods. Thank you. The Feasibility Report prepared by the engineer's office presents the Council with two options for the street pavement aspect of this project. Alternative 1 is captioned "Reconstruction": it involves more extensive grading, the removal of more material, and the installation of concrete curbs on the sides of the streets. Alternative 2 is captioned "Reclamation": it involves less grading, less removal, and, significantly, the preservation of the historic condition, which is an absence of curbing. The estimated assessment per residence is approximately $9,000 for Alternative 1 and approximately $4,500 for Alternative 2. As I understand the Report, both Alternatives would provide the neighborhood with stable roadways and satisfactory road surfaces for many years. Alternative 1 (Reconstruction) might provide better drainage in certain areas, brought about by the additional grading, the lowering of roads, and the installation of curbing. I know this outcome is desired by some of the residents. The potential downside of such additional grading is that it could damage the root systems of many mature oak trees which line our streets, which fear I happen to share. As far as aesthetics are concerned, some neighbors (including my wife) prefer the more pristine, almost rural appearance of no curbs (as has been the condition since initial development in the early 1950's), while others may prefer the more modern suburban development appearance of curbing. In my opinion the paving issue really comes down to this: curbs with a $9000 assessment, or no curbs with a $4,500 assessment. I'm sure we have some neighbors for whom the $4,500 difference is a minor matter. For others, however, including my family and perhaps others living on a fixed income, $4,500 is simply too much to pay for whatever amenity curbing may provide. Thus, the Fabel family urges you to select Alternative 2 (Reclamation) for the 2013 improvements. Thank you very much for your consideration, and thank you for your service to the residents of Arden Hills. Tom Fabel 1550 Edgewater Ave., Arden Hills 1