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Residents urge action on RV enforcement, Ballenger Park mowing, parking and cyclist safety during public comment
Summary
During public comment, residents reported an RV blocking a driveway for eight days and called for enforcement, warned that overgrown grass at Ballenger Park creates a fire risk for adjacent homes, raised parking and emergency‑access worries tied to proposed mixed‑use rezoning, and criticized a chip‑seal treatment that they say endangers cyclists and pedestrians.
Several residents used the public‑comment period July 9 to raise distinct neighborhood concerns that council members and staff said they would follow up on.
Dennis Soultest asked the council to remove a recreational vehicle that he said had blocked access to his driveway for eight days. He described two police visits that left a 72‑hour sticker in place and said he remains unable to exit safely. "I haven't been able to pull out of my driveway," Soultest said, describing the safety risk and requesting enforcement to restore his access.
Dale Jeremiah urged immediate attention to Ballenger Park maintenance after a July 6 house fire near the park. "The grass in the park is now waist high and a fire could start in the park and under these dry conditions, it could spread rapidly and threaten nearby homes," Jeremiah said, asking for mowing along the park edge and a written response on the maintenance schedule and how South County Fire would fight a park fire.
Neighbor and runner David O'Suna warned that applying mixed‑use zoning in certain pockets near 64th Avenue West would intensify parking pressure and could hamper emergency access where sidewalks and roadway access are limited. He urged revisiting parking requirements and suggested that additional garages or changes to parking rules might be necessary to avoid overflow into adjacent streets.
Corey Cross flagged pedestrian and cycling safety concerns near the town center, criticizing a chip‑seal surface treatment that he said leaves loose gravel and can injure cyclists. He also said police declined to tow delivery vehicles blocking bicycle gutters. "Chip seal is basically loose...that gravel just sliced into her arm," Cross said, recounting a recent fall he helped a child recover from.
Council members and staff acknowledged the concerns and said staff would follow up with complainants. The council reminded attendees that it does not respond during public comment but committed to staff outreach and written follow up where appropriate.
