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Curbing unsafe speeds in city alley |
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
An Ohio Street couple, who say the number of vehicles and the speed of the motorists in the alley abutting their home puts their children’s lives at risk, approached Wapakoneta City Council officials Wednesday for a solution.
Molli and Brian Frey brought their concerns to Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks Committee members about vehicles traveling at unsafe speeds through the alley, which runs along their residence.
They recommended using barricades to close the alley to thru traffic or vacating a section of the alley so they could install barricades.
Committee Chair Dan Graf convinced the Freys to use a different approach before taking a more finite step.
“I would like to see the speed bumps be installed and that be the solution to the problem, and
that our letters to the residents long that alleyway become more aware of that problem through the placement of the speed bumps,” Graf said after Wednesday’s meeting. “I hope the problem would be resolved at that point.”
The letter is to inform residents if the problem persists that the next step may be to install barricades. The exact placement of the barricades has yet to be determined.
Graf and fellow committee member, Councilor-at-large Dr. Ed Wallen, said if the problem continues they would like to invite residents needing use of the alley to attend a meeting before approving the installation of concrete barricades.
Graf favored speed bumps being placed throughout the alley as well as on the asphalt paving used as access by the Freys’ to their garage and carport.
“I favor the speed bumps because the speed bumps still allow the traffic to use the alley, and it seems like the speed bumps address the issue of the speed which is the issue we were requested to address,” Graf said. “Of course, our concern is the safety of the children that play near the alley, and it is unfortunate that the house was built right on the alleyway before we had zoning in place.”
The Freys, who moved to 807 Ohio St. approximately five years ago, have three young children and are expecting a fourth child.
The Freys are the lone residents requiring alley access to their primary garage through the alley. There are two other residents with a second garage needing access through the alley.
Brian Frey said residents along South, Washington and Ohio streets have cooperated with their request to slow down when they reach the asphalt-paved section of the alley.
The Freys said they have problems with other motorists using the alley, which is directly east of Fairview Drive.
Molli Frey said the problem escalates during the St. Joseph Fourth of July Festival and the Auglaize County Fair, when traffic increases at the fairgrounds.
She said former 4th Ward Councilor Rachel Barber had speed bumps already in the alley elevated and exposed so they would make a difference and reflectors placed along the alley to improve safety, but the markers were removed weeks later.
“We’ve put band aids on it, and we are not solving anything,” Molli Frey said. “I would suggest putting some fiberglass median that can be moved if it had to be right where our asphalt pavement stops.”
Wallen and Graf noted they have to take into consideration the opinions of residents who border the alley, regarding their concerns. One resident runs a business from a second building on the alley, which is used as access to the business.
“I am concerned about the safety of our kids and the other kids that play in yards close to the alley,” Brian Frey said.
“I want to know how we should continue fighting this, how to find a resolution because I am not talking about convenience for other residents — I am talking about safety,” Molli Frey said. “We cannot help that the carport and the garage are built the way they were, and when I have a 3-year-old and an 18-month-old this year I have concerns.
“I’ve cried about this, and I’ve buried a child and I am not burying another child because of someone wants to speed down an alley.” |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 March 2008 )
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