10-23-1989 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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Page Two BERM PLEASE ASK FOR A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BERM WHICH IS PLANNED NORTH OF COUNTY ROAD 6. The County said on September 25 that there will be a "berm" in place north of County Road 6 "in order to protect the residents." What is a berm? The word, "berm," conjures in most people's minds a sight or sound barrier. If the bei.n is nothing more than a 6" curb, then "curb" is the word that should be used so that people are not misled. How can a berm which is only 6 ft. wide be built high enough to be a sight or sound barrier? SKETCH OF EACH BEFORE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL IS GIVEN, EACH PROPERTY OWNER PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED WITH A SKETCH OF HOW HIS/HER PROPERTY *.ILL BE AFFECTED. THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO HAVE COPIES OF THE SKETCHES ALSO. The total right of way will be 80 feet; however, considerable grading and destruction will take place in the "construction area" beyond the right of way, thus causinq extensive damac» to personal property. The need for a sketch for each property owner was very apparent at the September 25 meeting when Mrs. Mathewson of 900 North Willow stated county personnel had told her that she would lose five trees; when she any flier nephew checked it out on her property, they discovered she would be losing twelve trees. While the County will "restore" the construction area beyond the right of way, it's obvious they cannot restore 50-year old trees. Their idea of restoring is to scatter grass seed or lay sod, which then becomes the responsibility of the property owner to keep watering. The loss of trees and bushes, which provide sight and sound barriers, considerably decreases the market value of property along a busy road. The sketch for each property must indicate clearly 0— distance from the center of the present road to th distance point in the construction area. The pr,.!;,t road center provides a point of reference for the property owner. Such a sketch will allow the property owner and the Council to fully understand how each person's property will be affected. Blanket approvals (without sketches) are not fair to the property owners.