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Kenneth J. Leppe N ~
2075 Sunnyview Drive
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Dubuque, IA 52001 ~ u; ~
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City Of Dubuque
City Counsel
50 West 13~' St
Dubuque IA 52001
June 20, 2007
RE: Alley Construction
Dear City Counsel Members:
In response to keeping the alley way between N. Grandview Ave. and St. Ambrose Street
an open access, I would like to present all the benefits of such an alley.
1. When I purchased my home two and a half years ago, I purchased it with the
understanding that there was such a public access way to make an easier
access to the reaz of my property.
2. I was told by the city that I could build either an addition or separate garage
on the reaz of my home with access from the alley way.
3. Due to the restrictions on Sunnyview Drive because of the Class C pazking, it
is difficult for me, my guests, and other neighbors to fmd suitable parking
without being ticketed, and therefore, more off street parking is needed.
4. The need for a lazger gazage and parking area on my property is relevant
because the existing gazage and driveway do not meet our needs.
5. There are two other lots on the rear side of the alley way that aze for sale.
Any buyers would not have access to that property if the alley way was to be
closed off, and this property would be useless.
6. All current and future residents without garages and/or driveways would
benefit from the alley way should they decide to utilize their rear entrances.
In addition, this would improve their property value by building additional
pazking and/or garages on their own properties.
7. Residents on the St. Ambrose side of the alley way currently utilize it on a
daily basis. Should this alleyway be closed, these residents would also suffer.
These residents would benefit from having full access to this alley way as
some have campers and boats that make it hard to maneuver in such a tight
space at the bottom of the hill.
8. Since this neighborhood has many elderly, the likelihood of these homes
being sold to others in the near future is great. Newer home owners, such as
us, would be more likely to purchase the properties with an auxiliary access to
the reaz of their properties; with the option of building additional parking or
garages.
9. The original intent for the alley way was for public usage and access for
property owners. Why has this alley way been neglected to begin with? After
all, this is still city property, is it not? I have been informed by one of the
current neighbors that he believes that since he has been maintaining this
property for the last 30 years, that it automatically became his property. He
has since resold part of the alleyway to another neighbor who altered the
access way from the N. Grandview side a few yeazs ago.
10. Our electrical and cable accesses aze in the back of the alley way; therefore,
the utility companies need this through way open, as well.
In conclusion, closing this alley way would be a terrible mistake, not only now, but in the
future. Why should an access way that was meant for the benefit of the public and all
property owners be closed off to the benefit of a few current property owners? I
understand that this is currently a mostly elderly neighborhood, and it is very nice and
quiet. That is what drew us to the neighborhood in the first place.
The likelihood of younger couples with children (or the hopes of having children)
moving into the neighborhood in the next few yeazs is a very real possibility. With that
said, I believe the newer generation of home owners in this area would prefer the ability
to build onto the reaz of these homes and have access to their own properties.
We are not trying to cause any problems with our current neighbors; however, we
sincerely believe it would be a huge dishonor to all neighbors, both current and future, if
this alley was to be closed off permanently. Thank you for your time and consideration
in this difficult matter. I look forward to your response and hope that you seriously
consider keeping this an open throughway.
Sincerely,
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Kenneth J. Leppert
Home Owner