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Neighbors say Cambridge Way driveway plan, not just tree, raises safety risks
Summary
Several neighbors told the Park Commission the proposed garage driveway at 21 Cambridge Way would be too steep and a replacement tree placed at the driveway edge would worsen sightline hazards for pedestrians. They urged alternative replacement locations or additional street trees nearby.
Residents whose properties face the proposal told the commission that the driveway design, not merely the removal of a mature street tree, is the principal safety concern.
Brian Cantrell of 25 Cambridge Way described the proposed driveway as unsafe, saying the plans produce a 30% grade compared with a 10% design guideline. “This driveway is ludicrous. It is a 30% grade,” he said, and added that the site’s steepness limits vehicle clearance, reduces visibility while entering the street and would make placing a tree between the driveway and sidewalk potentially hazardous for pedestrians and children.
Neighbors also raised construction-and-parking impacts, noting that many garages on the block are not used for parking and that street parking will be permanently reduced if the driveway is built. Staff and commissioners said planning review of the garage and driveway is separate from the Park Commission’s street-tree decision; the planning commission will review the construction proposal on Aug. 10. The Park Commission asked public works to investigate alternative planting locations for one or more replacement trees on the block as a mitigation option.
