Laserfiche WebLink
<br />CASE # J <br /> <br />DRIVEWAY AT 17811 ERKIUM STREET <br />By: Steven Jankowski, Assistant City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />At the end of May 2009, Mrs. Mary Hjelm who owns the property at 17811 Erkium Street <br />contacted staff regarding an issue associated with the bituminous overlay of her street back in <br />2001. At that time the overlay added one and one half inch of height to the road way. It was <br />placed along the edge of the road pavement with the edge of the overlay being "feathered" back <br />into the existing driveway grade to create a smooth transition between the new road surface and <br />the existing driveway. This past winter Mrs. Hjelm slipped at the end of her driveway and broke <br />her ankle and feels that the above road work is responsible for the injury. <br /> <br />Staff inspected the driveway in early June and found the driveway approach to have a reasonably <br />smooth transition from street and observed that it was similar to other driveways within this <br />subdivision. Staff informed Mrs. Hjelm of their findings however she disagreed and requested an <br />"in person meeting" to discuss her concerns. The Assistant City Engineer and the Street <br />Superintendent met with Mrs. Hjelm on August 26,2009 and reiterated that they found her <br />driveway approach did not appear hazardous or deficient. <br /> <br />Following the August meeting Mrs. Hjelm emailed staffthat she had taken a visual inventory of <br />the 42 homes in the Riverwood Hills development, and that five driveways are what she would <br />consider unacceptable with her driveway apron being the very worst. Mrs. Hjelm expressed a <br />desire for some follow-up to address her concern. Various members of staff have viewed this <br />driveway approach along with others in her subdivision on more than one occasion and have <br />consistently and unanimously found them to be acceptable. <br /> <br />Action: <br /> <br />The Public Works Committee is being asked to review staffs decision on this matter. Attached <br />are photos taken of the Mrs. Helm's driveway, however staff recommends that Committee <br />members to view the site in person, if at all possible. Staff is looking for a recommendation to <br />City Council for a final decision on this matter. <br /> <br />Reviewed By: <br />Director of Public Works/Principal City Engineer <br />City Engineer <br />Public Works Street Supervisor <br />City Attorney <br /> <br />PW: 11/17/09 <br />