06/05/1978 Board of Public Works Minutes

Home Browse Search

I REGULAR MEETING JUNE 5, 1978 should be considered and the alley should be kept open. He said the only eyesore in the neighborhood is the petitioner's property. There is a trash container partially blocking the alley and trailers parked behind the building. John Owens of the Marine Corps League spoke against the vacation. He noted that there is only limited access to their building since a street was closed. Vacating this alley would cause inconvenience for people going to the Marine Corps League and for people living in the neighborhood who want to get to Parry Street. He said if the alley is closed it will hinder business at the League. Art Vedder; 429 N. Frances, spoke against the vacation. He said that closing the alley would create a fire hazard. A small fire truck can get down that alley when it is not blocked by the trash container. He said the fire hazard and the possible lack of an exit in the event of any disaster at the railroad tracks should be considered. He noted that trucks from Alexanian Brothers block Parry Street with trucks. He said the fire hazard, inconvenience to the people on Parry Street and the closing of an entrance and exit to Parry Street in the event of a disaster should be considered. Paul Williams spoke against the vacation. He said he has asked Hermann and Goetz to move their trash container so the alley can be used. He said the alley is very important to the people on Parry Street. Mr. Amaral then presented a drawing of the area to the Board and noted the lots owned by Herrman and Goetz. He said the petitioners would not necessarily close the alley if it is vacated. They do plan to provide off- street parking and would want access to the lot from Eddy Street and Parry Street. He said they were not in a position to respond to the complaint that Alexanian's block Parry Street with trucks. Mr. Brunner asked Mr. Amaral about the complaint that the alley is blocked by a dumpster. Mr. Amaral said there is a trash container in a portion of the alley. Because of the nature of the alley, the front end loader cannot get to it to unload it unless it is in that location. Mr. Brunner asked if it was not possible to unload it if it were moved out of the alley. Mr. Amaral said the loader would have to drive over the curb causing possible damage. Mr. Brunner said it would appear that the location of the trash container has had something to do with the lack of traffic in the alley. Mr. McMahon pointed out that the alley should not be blocked. Mr. Mullen asked if there was a drawing of the proposed business expansion. Mr. Herrman said he did not have a prepared drawing but the expansion would add 6000 to 8000 square feet. Lois Kuespert, 525 Eddy, said the residents.could not go along with assurance from the petitioner that the alley might not be closed. She said this was done by an oil company who petitioned to close an alley and agreed not to close it off permanently. The property was then sold and the alley was closed. Mrs. Kuespert said her business has declined since a street and other alleys in the area were closed. Mr. Mullen said the Board recognizes that Mr. Herrman would like to expand his business and he has improved the area by demolishing sub - standard structures. He said there might be alternatives to this petition which might be explored and the petitioner might consider dedicating a right -of -way to the City on one of the other lots in the area to allow the neighborhood access to Parry Street. He said it was his opinion that the alley should not be vacated at this time. Mr. McMahon said he agreed with Mr. Mullen and said Mt. Herrman might want to consider the dedication of a fourteen foot right -of -way as an alternative. The Board considers access to Parry Street as very important. He noted that the complaint about the trash container in the alley and blocking of Parry Street by Alexanian Brothers' trucks would be investigated by the Department of Public Works. Upon motion made by Mr. McMahon, seconded by Mr. Brunner and carried, the Board rescinded Vacation Resolution No. 3458 and the petition to vacate was denied.