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Residents say Nibley sidewalk project left driveways with hazardous dip; ask council for fixes
Summary
Three nearby homeowners told the city council the curb-and-gutter sidewalk project on 2600 South introduced a new dip at multiple driveways that could cause pooling, ice and liability; they asked the city to reconsider the design or commit in writing to remediate problems.
Three Nibley homeowners addressed the city council during public comment on June 25 to describe what they said were unexpected and unsafe changes to driveway grades after a curb-and-gutter and sidewalk project on 2600 South.
Rick Arnell, who gave his address as 735 West, 2600 South, said city staff and contractors had not told residents that the work would create “a dip in our driveway, something we did not have before the project.” Arnell told the council that the new slope could cause water to pool and freeze, creating a safety and liability risk for his household.
“[W]e were never told that there would be a dip in our driveway,” Arnell said, and asked the city to reconsider the design or, if it proceeds, to commit in writing to remediate any pooling or ice problems that result.
Amanda Arnell, also of 735 West, read from the project flyer and said residents received the blueprint only six days before work began. The flyer, she said, promised the project would “address historic drainage problems,” but she added that meeting construction standards does not “make homeowners whole” if property drainage is altered.
Brenda Brown of 741 West said long-standing puddles in front of her property had previously produced injuries when ice formed. “Now they tell me that Nibley Lake is going to be moved from Nibley’s property to my property,” Brown said, urging the council to prioritize safe routes to school and to avoid moving hazard-prone drainage onto private yards.
Mayor and staff responses at the time acknowledged the public-comment nature of the period and noted that the council could not take policy action on items not on the posted agenda. City staff asked the Arnells to provide written comments for the record and said staff had discussed drainage with residents and offered potential remediation such as a yard drain, but the council did not make an on-the-spot decision to alter the project.
What happens next: The speakers requested written confirmation of any city commitment to repair pooling or identify liability. The council and city staff indicated they would accept written comments for the record and will consider whether to address the specific driveway designs during upcoming agenda items or through follow-up with engineering staff.
