02/20/1996 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/20/96 backyards, Mr. Kacirek noted that the property in question is still owned by the Kacirek Funeral Home. He is strongly for a bicycle path, not just amulti-purpose sidewalk to be used for both. Mr. Kacirek stated he felt in a few years people would regret not having the bicycle path. Toni Marvel, 29850 Hampton Drive, is in favor of amulti-purpose path rather than a separate bicycle path. Mr. O'Grady said he wished to respond to the comments about the bike path. He said he thought that most people in attenda~ice were in favor of amulti-purpose path. However, he is concerned about the amount of misinformation and untruth generated by a small group of people. Mr. O'Grady read portions of a letter to the editor written by a Quail Run resident who suggested that Mr. O'Grady was not informed about the issue and that a multi-purpose sidewalk approximately 7 feet wide was already part of the proposal. Mr. O'Grady stated that he had read all pertinent documents regarding this issue and was indeed informed about the issue. lii addition, he stated that the current plans call for a standard 5 foot wide sidewalk. Mr. O'Grady said he felt that, if everyone worked together, a real multi-purpose path that would increase property values could be installed. This could be done without moving the noise barrier wall any closer to the residents' backyards. Also, Mr. O'Grady stated that he had asked the City Engineer to contact the Cuyahoga County Engineer to determine if changes in the plan would cause delays. The response was that for the next three months, changes would not cause any delays. Mr. O'Grady read a portion of a letter from Vern J. Hartenburg, Executive Director/Secretary of the Cleveland Metroparks: "On behalf of the Cleveland Metroparks, I'm writing to express concern and dismay that the portion of the bikeway along the proposed extension of Crocker/Bassett Road within the City of North Olmsted is proposed for deletion. With construction of the Crocker-Stearns extension, improved access to the 785 acre Bradley Woods Reservation will be possible. Bicycle and pedestrian access to Bradley Woods Reservation vis-a-vis a bike path along the Crocker-Stearns extension would provide safe and efficient access." Mr. O'Grady thanked Mrs. Lepore for her factual report. However, he wished to clear up one point about the size of the bike path. It is not 15 feet wide, but it would necessitate the taking of an additional 15 feet of space. Also, the path was not deleted in 1992, but it was deleted much later. Mr. O'Grady urged the residents to work for a true multi-purpose path (asphalt-type) that would connect to the Metroparks and the Westlake bike system. He believes this is the safest and best alternative for the common good, and it will not take more land or cause the barrier wall to be closer to residents' backyards. Mr. Nashar commented that he had requested an all-purpose concrete sidewalk, which he feels will meet the needs of all residents who want to walk or ride bicycles. Mr. O'Grady noted that the request was fora "sidewalk." He feels that a true multi-purpose path would be in the best interest of the entire city. 7