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Residents oppose proposed Oshkosh Street widening, cite safety and property impacts
Summary
Multiple residents told the council they oppose widening Oshkosh Street, saying it will encourage faster driving, reduce yard space and make some driveways unusable; the city is holding a public information meeting on preliminary designs Nov. 25.
Several residents urged the council not to widen Oshkosh Street, telling the council that a wider roadway will encourage faster driving, reduce front-yard space and could render some driveways unusable.
"People drive too fast the way it is, and if we widen the street, it will only encourage people to drive faster," said Zach Labs, who gave his address as 617 West Cook Street. "Widen this road doesn't make it safer for them or any of the other children that live on the street or walk to the pool."
Daniel Hermas, 615 Buck Street, said his driveway has a steep incline and that moving the outside curb three feet, eight inches as proposed would increase that grade and could make his garage inaccessible. He asked the city to consider alternate parking controls rather than widening the street.
"If the buses don't want parking, make one-sided street not no parking. Make both sides for the 5 blocks, no parking," Hermas said, suggesting parking restrictions as an alternative.
Andrew Frier, 620 West Beacon, also said speed is already a problem and suggested one-side no-parking as a safety measure.
City Administrator Chad Hurth told the meeting that the city will hold a public information meeting about the Oshkosh Street preliminary design plans at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, in the council chamber, and that the meeting is intended to present plans and answer questions.
Why it matters: residents who live along Oshkosh Street said the project could affect pedestrian safety, front-yard property and driveway access for multiple households. The public information meeting is the city's opportunity to present designs and respond to concerns.
Discussion versus action: the remarks occurred during the public comment portion of the council meeting; no council vote or action on the Oshkosh Street design was recorded during this meeting. The city announced a public information meeting to discuss preliminary plans and answer resident questions.
Ending: The council closed the public comment period and instructed staff to proceed with the scheduled public information meeting where residents can review preliminary plans and pose questions.
