HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-07 Correspondence L
Submitted by Judy Pfohl
February 7, 2023
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Iowa City City Council FEB 0 7 2023
Ci '
lowa,
Dear City Council Members,
Do Not Narrow Abbey Lane for the Sanitary Sewer Trunk Upgrade
• We are concerned about the safety of neighborhood children,pedestrians and
bicyclists
• Wider intersections appear to be safer
• Abbey Lane provides access to and parking for Kiwanis Park in addition to being
a thoroughfare
6 Parking needs to be adequate for Kiwanis Park to flourish
• The current configuration allows for smooth operations for pedestrians, bicycles
and all manner of motor vehicles
• All of the property owners adjacent to Abbey Lane are cognizant of the need for
upgrading the Sanitary Sewer Trunk, but the majority of these people are
concerned about potential adverse effects related to narrowing the street.
• A more detailed discussion of our concerns follows
We are writing as a group of neighbors with properties abutting Abbey Lane who are
concerned about the impact of the proposed sanitary sewer renovation project. First, the
residents understand the importance of upgrading the current sanitary sewer trunk to
allow future development west of Highway 218. We are not opposed to this progress.
On the other hand, it seems that there are two parts to this project and many citizens have
reservations about the proposed narrowing of Abbey Lane when it is reconstructed after
completion of the sanitary sewer project. Indeed, many were quite surprised to hear that
the dimensions of the street were going to be changed.
Many of us are aware of some of the history regarding Abbey Lane—specifically that
it was originally laid out as a connector from Mormon Trek Boulevard to Sunset Street
and that this plan was changed following the donation of land for Kiwanis Park.
It is clear that a short street that terminates at the Park would no longer carry as much
FEB 0 7 2023
City Clerk
traffic; however, the nature of the traffic flow is now different. In the conneigtoftirEodetowa
most vehicles would pass quickly through the area and onward to the goal without delay.
With the current configuration, vehicles don't just pass through, but tend to park and stay
for varying times, so the street can occasionally become somewhat congested. In essence
the east end of Abbey Lane functions as a street and a parking lot. Certainly, there is a
seasonal pattern to usage of Abbey Lane with picnics or parties at the shelter along with
sports practice or Parks projects like concerts in warmer months. People that make use of
the popular garden plots tend to park close by on Abbey Lane so that they can carry their
tools and supplies to the gardens. On a daily basis, many people are using the trail for
walking or jogging and many people walk their dogs in the park after they drive here.
City planning documents mention the desirability of walkable neighborhoods
surrounding a park. We have that to a degree and feel very fortunate for that. A few
residents have independently noted the increased number of people that come to use the
Park over the years and that seems to represent a positive assessment of the appeal of the
Park.
With regard to parking options for people using Kiwanis Park, there is also a small
parking lot which provides eight spaces on the east side of the Park off of Teg Drive,but
it seems that more people tend to park on Abbey Lane on the west side of the Park. For
residents that live west of Kiwanis Park, access to the park may be quicker and easier
than driving around the Park to the Teg Drive parking lot.
With the current configuration at the east end of Abbey Lane, people that use the park
will leave their car at the curb and when they return from their park activities, they will
pull their car into a driveway to perform a three-point turn to turn around and leave via
westbound Abbey Lane. If the street is narrowed by eight feet, it will become more
challenging for many drivers to get turned around and there will likely be more fender
benders. If No Parking signs are put up, it merely shifts the problem further up the street
and will likely lead to more spillover parking especially on Burry Drive. No Parking
signs at the east end of Abbey Lane may cause a hindrance to older people or families
with younger children who now enjoy quick access to the picnic shelter from parking
spaces.
The current configuration does allow easy access to the park as well as egress. It also
allows adequate on-street parking for intermittent events such as parties or family get
togethers. Property owners are well aware of the benefits of adequate street parking that
was present when we bought the properties.
In addition to motor vehicle traffic, there is a substantial amount of bicycle traffic that
utilizes Abbey Lane and Kiwanis Park to access the trail system and to travel to and from
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City Clerk
school and work as well as for leisure. These cyclists typically use the Abbey Lama City, Iowa
roadway itself except for the last block just west of the park when they ride on driveway
ramps and sidewalks to avoid the park gates at the east end of Kiwanis Park. A narrower
street will bring these bicyclists into closer proximity to cars on the street with an
increased danger of collision or injury.
Residents also have concerns about worsening congestion and safety at the west end
of Abbey Lane near the intersection with Mormon Trek Boulevard if the street is
narrowed. Residents are concerned about risks associated with the presence of the school
bus stop near that intersection and the observed tendency of southbound drivers on
Mormon Trek to try to "shoot" into Abbey Lane to "beat"the oncoming northbound
traffic on Mormon Trek. This style of driving seems to have increased recently at this
intersection. Residents at the west end of Abbey Lane already sense that they are at some
risk for close calls as drivers converge into this area from Mormon Trek and Dolen Place.
Further compressing this space by narrowing Abbey Lane would likely increase the
opportunity for problems. If parking is allowed in that area, it may also be difficult for
larger vehicles such as school buses, garbage trucks or fire engines to negotiate the area if
the street is narrowed. Again, the posting of No Parking signs will merely shift the
parking problem to another part of the street.
One of the perceived benefits of narrowing the street seems to be due in some part to
reduced concrete costs. We were told that part of the project would include a four foot
extension of driveways to reach the new edge of the street. There are 15 driveways
on the south side of Abbey Lane and 8 on the north side. This amount of concrete could
represent up to 20% of the concrete saved by narrowing the street from 36 feet to 28 feet.
We also wonder if that 4 foot flat shelf of concrete will tend to collect water and ice since
it would not match the existing grade of the driveways unless the elevation of the entire
street is lowered or the driveway ramps are torn out and replaced with lesser grade
change to reach the street. This would also engender extra labor and material costs for
curb work related to 23 driveways.
Another reason for narrowing the street that some have heard is the goal of reducing
future deposits of used concrete into the landfill. Perhaps we could reduce that effect
sooner by reducing the amount of concrete that is torn up for this project. Currently, the
concrete on Abbey Lane has been poured in four sections across the width of the street.
We would suggest that consideration be given to removal of a central section of old
concrete for the placement of the new 30 inch sewer trunk. The lateral or outside lanes of
concrete remain in reasonable condition and would be expected to last longer than the
concrete on a more heavily traveled street. There may not be a need to remove all of the
concrete from the northernmost portion of the street or a portion of the southernmost
ribbon of concrete. Perhaps this can be accomplished without having to modify the
existing driveways. Only disturbed areas of the street and curb would need to be
replaced. It would also prevent having to move mailboxes, add eight feet of new dirt to
backfill the areas where concrete was removed and create No Parking areas.
Several residents have raised questions related to the impact of this project on our
property taxes and have received some conflicting answers. This needs to be clarified.
Signatures of the affected citizens that are concerned about the effects of narrowing
Abbey Lane will be attached to the letter submitted to the City Council. There are a few
more residents that would like to sign the petition but are currently out of town or
unavailable.
Thank you to the City Council and City Staff for your consideration and efforts. We
also appreciate the communication from individuals involved in the project and we would
also be happy to expedite this project.
FEB 0 7 2023
City Clerk
Iowa City, Iowa
FEB 0 7 2023
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Petition Regarding
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To: Iowa City Council February 7, 2023
Re: Input regarding Senior Center Facility Plans
As you know, the Senior Center is assessing building restoration options. I want to provide
some historical context for the original decision-making to locate the Senior Center at its
current site that you may not otherwise receive.
In 1981, Bette Meisel and I helped to open the Senior Center after considerable input and
planning by the City of Iowa City, Johnson County Board of Supervisors and older community
members. The location had been carefully studied and met two important goals of the City and
Council of Elders, a representative advisory group. First, the Center would serve as another
key "anchor" venue in the downtown area, along with the Public Library, Robert A. Lee
Recreation Center, and the Ped Mall. These sites were envisioned as "destinations" for
residents that would promote greater interaction of diverse citizens, facilitate and increase use
of the city-supported services and local businesses, and spur the overall vitality of the
downtown area. The transportation services, including the central municipal bus exchange, the
SEATS agency, and planned parking ramps, all were seen as supporting the Senior Center
and downtown revitalization. Importantly, housing for older adults, such as Ecumenical Towers
and Capitol House, was being built in the downtown area (and still exists today) to further
support the involvement, well-being and continued contributions of older folks to their
community.
The second goal of locating the Senior Center downtown, like the first, continues to be very
relevant today. The location was intended to help keep older adults engaged in the larger
community. Too often, they are segregated, isolated, and otherwise limited as full community
participants. The visibility of active older adults in the downtown area challenges social
stereotypes, and most importantly, contributes to the City's desired goals of inclusivity, citizen
engagement, and a thriving community.
Yes, the so-called "Greatest Generation" that Bette and I served is dwindling fast, and "Baby
Boomers" are taking their place. What hasn't changed, in my view, are the original goals,
potential, and vision that first brought this vibrant facility downtown. The Senior Center, in its
present location, remains a contributing asset for all the historical reasons that I have
mentioned, and that is why it should remain there. I would appreciate knowing your views.
Lori Benz
2012 Dunlap Ct.
Iowa City, IA
FEB 0 7 2023
City Clerk
Iowa City, Iowa