Agenda - Public Works Committee - 02/17/2009

Home

18 To my neighbors on Argon Street: I know you're probably sick of hearing about this issue and I apologize for yet another intrusion, but I'm compelled to clear up the misinformation that has been circulating around the neighborhood in the form of a "petition regarding the closing of 142 Avenue just west of the service road at Landmark Bank. The misinformation has been . represented either in a "petition" or in what Mr. Greb, its author has said to people. I don't think Mr. Greb is dishonest, I just think he is uninformed since he hasn't attended most of the Public Works meetings. First and foremost please keep in mind that the City Council only authorized a temporary closure to study the effects of the closure on traffic patterns (see the attached excerpt from the 12/9/08 City Council Minutes). If the change causes too much disruption, we can always ask the City to remove the barriers. They are doing this to help us because a group of us in the neighborhood expressed concern about cut - through traffic. Now I'd like to set the record straight on a few of the myths, Myth 1: We don't get that much cut - through traffic. The traffic counts' were inflated because they were taken at a time when Bunker Lake Blvd. was closed. Facts: Attached are the DAILY counts in our neighborhood taken 2006 through 2008. As you can see, the intersection of Argon St. and 142 Avenue alone has over 1,100 cars per day. This count was taken in 2008, not when Bunker Lake Blvd. was closed. Our neighborhood is unique in that it is relatively small while being completely ; surrounded by major County and feeder roads. It is human nature for people to cut - through our neighborhood to avoid traffic jams, lights, etc. This is happening more and more and it will get worse as the city continues to develop to the north of us. Myth 2: Closing'142 Avenue will hurt businesses along highway 47. Facts: The barrier will be placed on our side of the service road so that traffic can flow freely to the businesses from the very large volume of traffic on 47.- They will continue to have the same access at 2 points heading north on 47 and 3 points heading south on 47. The fact that we have to go around to access 47 from the north will not prevent any of us from visiting Super America or any of those businesses. I can only speak for myself, but I'm positive that I will still visit those same businesses.