HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-0719 Documents Submitted at Mtg
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City Council of Ashland Meeting Lf'`
July 19, 2016
To Whom It May Concern: ,
My name is Courtney Burkholder of 320 Grandview. Unfortunately, I am unable to
attend tonight's meeting as I am currently in Texas visiting family and getting our
oldest son prepared for college. The purpose of this letter is to express my support
for the guardrail generously installed by our neighbors, Zak and Katie Ali. As new
and upcoming residents of Grandview, I was thrilled to see the addition of the
guardrail installed on the hairpin turn at the top of Grandview. With two teenage
drivers and with no personal experience driving on icy mountain roads, road safety
is of upmost importance to me. To be honest, it's a bit shocking that a guardrail was
not installed sooner considering the precarious turn and steep mountain terrain
that sits beneath the road. It is my understanding that there has already been one
serious accident in which a car careened over the side of the mountain in that
location. Clearly, one accident is one too many. The guardrail is imperative for
driving safety and is a much welcome addition to the road to which we will soon call
home! I would also like to state that I walk on Grandview each and every day with
our dog, Buddy, and have for the past two years since we moved to Ashland. I have
never felt unsafe or feared being pinned between a car and the guardrail which I
have heard put forth as an argument to have the guardrail removed.
I was not in attendance at last month's city council meeting and did not know that
the Grandview guardrail was on the agenda, but I did review the video, and I hope
that the city council members were able to go out and view the guardrail for
themselves as expressed. The majority of the guardrail sits on the very edge of the
mountain and there is little to no room on the other side for which to jump out of
harms way were the need to arise as has been alleged. With that being said, we are
in favor of doing anything that will enhance the pedestrians' use of the street in
order to make it a manageable shared road and safe for all.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
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Zalzir Ali, M.D. Mrs. Katie Ali
340 Grandview Drive MAC O mot! d4 9US 91 0YL)
Ashland, OR 97520
Current residence: 375 Stoneridge Avenue, Ashland, OR 97520. Ph: 541.944.2512
7/13/16
City Council
City of Ashland
20 East Main Street
Ashland, OR 97520
Re: Grandview shared road project/Guardrail.
Respected Councilors,
This is to plead our position on the Grandview shared road project and the Guardrail. Owing to the location of
our future residence at 340 Grandview Drive, we are most directly affected by any recommended changes.
Our residence is under construction. We were moved to advocating for a guardrail for our safety and the
safety of motorists for the following reasons:
• A vehicle had driven off the road directly into our lot in the past.
• We were informed by our neighbor (Mona McArdle, M.D., 352 Grandview Drive) that a tree around the
bend of the road, in front of her house, was struck by a vehicle. Were it not for the tree, much
significant property or bodily damage may have resulted.
• The segment of the road directly above the property has an abrupt edge before a steep fall towards
our residence.
• There are no sheltering trees to break the impact.
• During winter, with icy roads, Grandview Drive becomes the preferred road as Wimer Street is
inaccessible. A minor skid could have disastrous results.
Safety is our primary concern and we cannot emphasize enough. We fear for our safety without the guardrail.
The guardrail will provide safety and prevent tragic accidents causing serious bodily injury or death. Our
children will be playing outside. Our children's and our sleeping quarters will be directly below the road. We
also fear for the safety of the motorists without the guardrail.
We strongly support the road expansion and the shared road concept for the safety of the pedestrians. We
also support the lower speed limit.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Regards,
Za it and Katie Ali