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Message Page 2 of 2 <br /> Long Tom Watershed Council, LCOG staff and others. About that time several things intervened to <br /> slow the proposal, first the Corps of Engineers decided that they wanted to see a compressive plan for <br /> the Amazon rather then the section by section approach that had been used to that point. The City Parks <br /> staff were involved in developing the parks made possible by the parks bond and not able to do more at <br /> the time then look at the proposal. Then the Parks Master Planning process was started and it was <br /> suggested that we take the proposal to that body. Which we have several times. Currently the project is <br /> waiting for that committee and the Amazon proposal to go to the Corps of Engineers. In the meantime <br /> the Neighborhood has been working with the City's Stream Team and the Fairgrounds to plant native <br /> plants along sections of the north bank of the Amazon. <br /> At the east side of this site is located the parking lot for the long closed Jefferson Swimming Pool. This <br /> lot is accessed from 15 and 16 Avenues. As well as providing access and parking to people using the <br /> undeveloped area south of the Amazon this area also is used as a waiting area for parents dropping off <br /> and picking up students at O'Hara School. To the East of this parking lot is an undeveloped alley that <br /> runs from 15 to 16 <br /> There is one parcel fronting on this alley, those only street access is the alley. For many years a house <br /> trailer had been located on this parcel (and out into the alley) the residents of which used the parking lot <br /> for access. This trailer became a neighborhood nuisance and was finally abated by the city. The property <br /> was sold and the new owner had the trailer removed and purchased a house from the University which <br /> he had moved on to the lot, where it currently sits up on blocks. It is his intention to rehab the house for <br /> use as a residence. However to do so he must have city approval. <br /> Which brings us to the situation. As I understand it from talking with him, City Staff at the PIC are <br /> telling him that he either needs to develop the alley or get approval from Parks for him to access the <br /> property from the parking lot. Parks, who I have also spoken with are reluctant to do so for fear of <br /> creating a precedent. The neighbors, who have incorporated potions of the alley into their yards are less <br /> then enthusiastic about having the alley developed. The conceptual JAG plan contains a roadway <br /> connecting 15 and 16 Avenues to provide access to both the park and Fairgrounds, as the County <br /> Road Fund had been identified by then Fair Director Mike Gleason as a possible funding source, this <br /> would be a public road. As this roadway would be located on the east edge of the park site it would <br /> likely be on or next to the alley right of way. It seems to me that requiring someone to go to the trouble <br /> and expense of constructing an alley that is likely to be removed during the development of the park is a <br /> waste, as well as making the City appear stupid. Particularly as the construction of the alley would <br /> require the removal of several trees that are growing in the alley right -of -way on either side of the parcel <br /> in question. To the south are two different types of laurels rarely found together, making the pair <br /> notable and a stop on neighborhood tree tours. The trees to the north of the parcel, as well as blocking <br /> the alley, create yet another complication, these trees appear to be large enough to trigger the City <br /> Charter requirement [Section 52 (2)]which calls for a public vote prior to their removal. <br /> Given that development of the JAG will include a public roadway which could be configured to provide <br /> access to the parcel in question, the value of the trees to the park , avoiding the need for a special <br /> election, it strikes me that some sort of short term solution to the access question is in order. However as <br /> it appears that the two city departments are not in communication with each other and as the JAG plan is <br /> not yet formally adopted by the city that this is not likely unless you were to become involved. If all <br /> parties were to sit down together I believe a win -win result could be developed. <br /> Would you please look into this situation and start a process to get us all to a win -win resolution. Thank <br /> you for your time and careful consideration of this matter. <br /> David Hinkley <br /> 3/8/2005 <br />