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If that alley is developed it will take approximately 20 feet from our back yard to within <br /> 5 feet of the back wall of our home (which was built in the late 20s, with additions in <br /> the 40s & 50s). It is our understanding that the trees in our back yard are large enough <br /> to be protected by the charter which requires a public vote before they can be cut down. <br /> We are seeking legal counsel to verify this. The other house (which is one of the <br /> original houses of the area - built at the beginning of the last century) will not only <br /> have the alley within a few feet of the structure, but will lose 2 myrtlewood trees which <br /> are rarely found growing together and are part of neighborhood tree tours, and might also <br /> be protected by the city charter. <br /> Furthermore, the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood spent several years working with city <br /> staff in developing a plan for the Jefferson Area Greenway - a plan for naturalizing the <br /> Amazon Creek, creating soccer fields, and turning the parking lot into a street with <br /> landscaping on either side. Creating an alley running parallel within 10 to 20 feet from <br /> this planned street is ludicrous. <br /> The common sense solution is obvious: Issue temporary access to the lot in question via <br /> the existing parking lot, so that the house can be placed, repaired and rented. When the <br /> Jefferson Area Greenway is developed, Mr. Berg would be required to install a driveway <br /> from the new street to the residence, purchasing the land from the City. This would be <br /> much less expensive for him than paying for the development of the alley. <br /> We would like to point out that, had Mr. Berg been given complete, accurate information <br /> about the "buildability" of this lot from the City, he probably would not have purchased <br /> the lot. We think the City should take some responsibility for the role their inadequate <br /> communication played in creating this situation. <br /> We have spoken with representatives all of the departments involved (Permits, Public <br /> Works, & Parks & Recreation). The one person who is refusing to grant temporary access <br /> says that the Director of Public Works, the City Manager, the Mayor, or the City Council <br /> have the authority to override this decision, but he refuses to change his decision. We <br /> think granting temporary access, with the understanding that a driveway needs to be <br /> installed when the Jefferson Area Greenway is developed is a much more civic minded <br /> solution than destroying back yards and side yards, altering neighborhood park plans, and <br /> taking down trees. <br /> We have been in communication with these departments over the past 18 months, but the <br /> Public Works department is now threatening to fine the developer $450 per day if they do <br /> not begin developing the alley, so the building can be set down. <br /> Is there no way for common sense to prevail in this situation? Thank you for your help in <br /> resolving this issue. <br /> Ginny Osteen & Don Canavan <br /> 1540 Jefferson <br /> 344 -4864 <br /> 2 <br />