04/25/1995 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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? stated that tlie final plat will also be subinitted to the plauning commission from Engineering Department. Councilman Miller responded to Mr. Margevicius statement and explained that he did not say that the road to 231 is or is not in conformauce, he simply asked the question. He fiuther stated he and Councilman Lind talked to Mr. Whitlatch after the last meeting, about some items, that seemed encouraging: an enhanced water system, saving some trees on the perimeter of the property, and other possible benefits; he made no promises at that point, but he was beginniug to have an open discussion. He would like Mr. Whitlatch to be asked to continue thinking along those lines, considering that his future residents will want the same things the present residents want: dry basements, safe streets, greenery and trees and a retention system that will hold back the rain water. He asked that Mr. Whitlatch think along those lines aud communicate with the residents, aud members of plauning cominission and council. Mr. Levar quoted Albert Einstein and went on to say that everyone needed to look at the problems realistically in order to solve them realistically for the city, for the residents and for the new residents. They want to protect their property rights, property values, their children from traffic, and to protect their new neighbors from all those things as well. He does not want anybody to have flooded basements since there are significant problems in the; city with both the storm and sanitary sewers being at the top of the list. He urged everybody to work together to solve the problems, stating that he wauted to be part of the solution. Mrs. Spaulding stated that one of the duties of the Commission is to see to it that the streets are harmoniously designed and believed that there was a problem with the harmonious development of the streets in this development. In particular, the commission should look at the future development of the Gaitanaros' property which is north of Whitlatch property. She presented a map which showed this property more completely and explained that this was an undeveloped, long narrow section that ran east and west. She described the two properties as looking like an upside down and backward "L" with the Whitlatch property forming the perpendicular portion of the "L" and Mr. Gaitanaros' mmning across the top. The Gaitanaros' property is 260 feet wide and 1,789 feet long and, in a"C" District, that is not wide enough to support a street with properties on both sides. She mentioned the alternatives such as having eight lots, four of which would be 60 by 135 feet and 4 by 60 by 1,630 feet; or to have a street n n?g immediately behind peoples back yards, either in the Whitlatch Development or behind Westchester. She suggested putting an access in toward the western side of the Whitlatch property which would prevent a straight street from Sharon to West 231 Street and there could be a jog up to the Gaitanaros' property giving a side yard exposure to the street. She believed that the commission must consider future development of the northernmost property before recommend.ing the plat. She was also concerned that the cul-de-sac could not accommodate safety vehicles and school buses. Mr. Walczak, a resident of West 231 St. explained that a$er Rini's and the condominiums were built they have a lot more traffic and also have ma.ny children. He does not believe it is feasible to open up this develop to 231 since it will cause more traffic problems. He noted that Fairview Park closed off Maple Ridge and gave the right of way to the adjacent property owners. Mrs. Haddick, a resident, stated that they have enough traffic now, and the street cannot handle any more. Mr. Spaulding questioned what would happen after this approval. When could they address their concerns about storm water, drainage, eta He was advised that this would come later with the development plat. He was advised that there would still be a hearing on the final plat and improvement plans and the same neighbors would be notified and they could address their concerns at that time. Mr. McDermott advised that since this is a major subdivision there will also have to be legislation before .Council. Mrs. Cooney, the resident at the corner of West 231 and the proposed Maple Ridge, objected to opening this road and pointed out that the her garage was only 4 feet off the right of way, and she cannot understand having a street so close to the garage. She stated that the school buses stop there now, and she is concemed that school buses could not get down that street and would have to stop there for the children in that development. Councilman Lind, believed that an opening onto West 321 may not be a viable option for the residents of that entire area. He believed that this would create a short cut from Clague Road to West 231 street that the street cannot handle. He asked that he and Mr. Miller be notified when the 'development plans are received. Mr. McDermott advised Mrs. O'Rourke that 5