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Wartburg Pl. - Sunset RidgeMEMORANDUM August 16, 2001 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Sunset Ridge At the August 6 public hearing on the Wartburg Place Street Reconstruction Project, City Council began a discussion on the possibility of Sunset Ridge, a private street, becoming a city street. Correspondence from the Sunset Ridge neighborhood indicates that an overwhelming majority of the residents favor becoming a public street if the City would agree to build that street in the following manner: 25' wide street with the exception of first 50' of the street narrowed to 23' to preserve trees, particularly a 75-year-old grove of pine trees. Pavement will consist of 4" asphalt, 16-20" base stone and 2.5' wide concrete curb and gutter on both sides. No sidewalks. When the City Council determines a course of action for Sunset Ridge, the two remaining issues related to Wartburg Place can then be decided. If Sunset Ridge becomes a public street, there is no need for a turn-around at the end of Wartburg Place. If Sunset Ridge does not become a public street, a determination would need to be made as to whether the turn-around at the end of Wartburg Place is a cul-de-sac or a hammerhead. The question also still remains about the installation of sidewalk on the east side of Wartburg Place. Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM August 15, 2001 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Sunset Ridge Residents Considering Public/Private Street Alternatives INTRODUCTION The existing Sunset Ridge is a 20-foot wide, PCC concrete street that was constructed in 1923, with an overlay in 1978. Due to the street deterioration, the Sunset Ridge residents have been working with local contractors and consulting firms on its reconstruction. BACKGROUND A local consulting firm has tested the subgrade underneath the existing concrete and has found it to be very moist with very little stability. It has been recommended that the existing surface be removed and a total of 16 to 20 inches of stone be placed, and a 4-inch asphalt surface with asphalt curbs be installed. River City Paving met with some of the residents to develop a cost estimate based on the consulting firm's recommendation. River City Paving recommended that an extra one foot be added to each side of the roadway, for the installation of the asphalt curb to hold and direct the street water into the one catch basin located midway down the street and the catch basin located at the bottom of Sunset Ridge. This would make the roadway 22 feet wide. DISCUSSION The City's minimum design standard for a new public street is a 31-foot back-to- back concrete or asphalt surface, with concrete curb and gutters. The minimum design subdivision-paving standard is 6-1/4 inch thick PC concrete over a minimum 4 inches of stone base, or 7 inches of asphalt over a minimum 4-1/2 inches of stone base. At the neighborhood meeting, the residents talked about the possible advantages and disadvantages of a public street, along with the additional costs. In addition to the issue of paving, the privately-owned street light system is not operational. This could be either included or excluded from a City contract. Because of the street's status, property owners have built walls, planted trees, and placed other obstructions too close to the roadway for a standard 31-foot wide street. Even a 25-foot wide roadway would encounter obstructions that would need to be removed. CONCLUSION The emerging consensus of the 16 residents that attended the meeting was that Sunset Ridge could become a public street once it is improved. It is our understanding that if the City and the Sunset Ridge residents could mutually agree on a 25-foot width street, then unanimous support from all residents could be achieved. MAK/vjd Prepared by Michael Felderman, Civil Engineer August 15, 2001 RECEIVED Ot J8 Pt'112:58 The Honorable Mayor and City Council 50 West 13~ Street Dubuque, IA 520014864 Cb/C!erk's O ice Dubuque, iA Dear Mayor and City Council Members: Since the Public Hearing regarding the reconstruction of Wartburg Place, residents of Sunset Ridge have had several conversations and a neighborhood meeting to explore the suggestion of our Councilman John Markham that Sunset Ridge become a public street maintained by the City of Dubuque. The outcome of these meetings, held in consultation with City Engineering has shown that we have unanimous agreement among the residents that we need to upgrade the quality of our street. We also agree that we would like to retain the natural beauty and unique character of the neighborhood while also retaining low vehicular and pedestrian traffic: We have determined after a year long process of studying our options that the following specifications would meet our objectives most thoroughly: 1) 25' wide street with the exception of first 50' of the street narrowed to 23' to preserve trees particularly a 75 year old grove of pine trees. 2) Pavement will consist of 4" asphalt, 16-20" base stone and 2.5' wide concrete curb and gutter on both sides. 3) No sidewalks. We realize these specifications represent a departure from the standard public street; however, given the proposed variances on Wartburg Place, the unique terrain and history of Sunset Ridge, we believe these specifications are appropriate and reasonable. Currently 16 of 22 households, with one abstention pending sale, would support the transfer of Sunset Ridge from a private lane to a public street provided the City Council could indicate their support for our objectives in general and these variances in specific. With the assurance of the Council's support, potentially a more thorough consensus among neighbors could be forged and ultimately a more satisfactory outcome for all parties. Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration of this request Sincerely, Mary Clemens Colette Downs ~ De~LL0ng~ M/Y)yr~a~&~ Ri ckDowns ~u~~ Kenned W~it~ H~ett Heitm~ J~ y Leonard Koopman Jody Koopman Tim McNamara Fran Kennedy R~e .gh~Thib~u~., Matthew Tba'beaF, H~. W.a. gner Bg~ahle~-t . . Donha Wahlert Jim Wahl I~larc WYtheimer Bobbi Wertheimer Tom Woodward cc. Mike Koch, City Engineer Mike VanMilligen, City Manager Margaret Schmitz Ch rC] Charliss Woodward Bis o . Prepared by:. Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Address: 50 W. 13~ Street, Dubuque, IA 52001-4864 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION ADOPTING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS Whereas, on the 27th day of June, 2001, plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost were filed with the City Clerk of Dubuque, Iowa for the Wartburg Place Reconstruction Project. Whereas, notice of hearing on plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost was published as required by law. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: That the said plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost are hereby approved as the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for said improvements for said project. Passed, approved and adopted this day of ,2001. Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor Attest: Jeanne F. Schneider, City Cierk ' Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director Address: 50 W. 13~ Street, Dubuque, IA 52001-4864 RESOLUTION NO. _._~1 RESOLUTION WITH RESPECT TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY PROPOSED FOR THE WARTBURG PLACE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT Whereas, the City Council has proposed a Resolution of Necessity for the Wartburg Place Reconstruction Project, has given notice of the public hearing thereon as required by law; and Whereas, the public hearing has been held, all persons offering objections have been heard and consideration given to all objections and is pending before this Council; and Whereas, this is the time and place set as provided for the taking of action on the proposed Resolution of Necessity. NOW THEREFORE, BE tT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: That the proposed Resolution of Necessity described above is hereby: Adopted, without amendment, and all objections filed or made having been dully considered are overruled. Adopted as amended by the Schedule of Assessments attached hereto as Exhibit A, and made a part hereof by reference. All objections filed or made having been duly considered are overruled. Deferred for later consideration to a City Council meeting to be held on the day of , , next at 6:30 p.m. in , with jurisdiction retained for further consideration and action at the adjourned meeting. Abandoned. Passed, approved and adopted this day of Attest: ,2001. Ter'rance M. Duggaq,~yor Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk August 1, 2001 CITY OF DUBUQUE Dubuque, Iowa Dear Honorable Mayor, City Manager, and City Council Members: Our street, Wartburg Place, is scheduled for re-paving this summer. The bids are due on August 20, 2001. Historically, Wartbnrg Seminary has owned all of the property on the west side of the street and some of the property on the east side. The balance oft. he property on the east side, winch runs for approximately 1,000 feet is owned by only two families and Wartburg Place dead ends into a private dead end street, Sunset Ridge. The intention of the two families who own the last 1000' of street frontage is never to develop this land and keep our single family dwellings and character of properties intact as is. There has never in the histoW of the street been a sidewalk on the east side of the street for the last 1000 feet, since all foot traffic is served by an existing west side sidewalk which has adequately served Wartburg Seminary students and faculty, and the small number of private street residents for many years. When the street is re-paved, the existing west side sidewalks will, of conrse, be re-placed, but now there is a new sidewalk scheduled to be placed on the opposite east side, where there has never been a sidewalk. Tins new sidewalk will cause the destruction of many healthy mature trees and shrubs. In keeping with the cities' commendable new policy of preserving existing trees and shrubs whenever possible during re-paving, it seems unreasonable to create a sidewalk which would only lead to the adjacent private, dead end street winch by choice has had no sidewalks since it was developed (for more than 40 years). In addition, the installation of 1,000 feet 0fnew sidewalk will create an undue burden for the two owners for maintenance during the winter months. We, the residents of 384 Wartburg Place and 480 Wartburg Place do formally and respectfully protest the creation of a new sidewalk where one has never been, a sidewalk that essentially leads no where, that will cause tree and shrub destruction, that will alter and mar the character of the neighborhood, that will cost $16,000 unnecessary dollars and create a burden of maintenance for the Owners. Respectfully submitted, Timothy and Christine Cordon Mrs. Jean Woodward Bob Woodward