DPW's Evergreen Ave. sidewalk proposal

From: charlessands
Date: July 11, 2010 11:20:28 AM PDT
To: bbeaumont@co.marin.ca.us
Cc: skinsey@co.marin.ca.us, BCrawford@co.marin.ca.us
Subject: DPW's Evergreen Ave. sidewalk proposal

Bob,

We have just learned from the Homestead Headlines, our local community information paper. that "DPW is proposing to construct a sidewalk along Evergreen Ave. that will serve Marin Horizon School. The proposed sidewalk will run from the Mill Valley City Limit (250 feet east of Ethel Avenue ) to the end of Evergreen Avenue. Construction would occur in the summer of 2011"..."A public meeting to hear your preferences, concerns, and feedback has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, @ 6 p.m. at Marin Horizon School, 305 Montford Avenue"

Please let me know:
1. Why is DPW proposing to construct a sidewalk along Evergreen Ave. that will serve Marin Horizon School, a private non-profit multimillion dollar a year educational corporation that pays no County taxes?
2. Why is this meeting not scheduled by DPW in a public venue in compliance with public notice for public meetings?
3. Why is a public meeting being held at Marin Horizon School, the beneficiary, and not at the Homestead Valley Community Center?
4. Marin Horizon School's 2005 negative Environmental Impact Study, reviewed and approved by DPW staff, did not recommend building this sidewalk which will have a significant negative impact on all the residential property it will be adjacent, destroy the semi-rural character of the Evergreen Ave. neighborhood and is not consistent with the Tamalpais Area Community Plan goals, objectives and policies.
5. Why has an Environmental Impact Study not been made as this proposal will have a significant negative impact on all property adjacent to the proposed sidewalk?
6. Why not require Marin Horizon School to provide privately fund busing for all day students and special day and evening event student and adult attendees? This would eliminate Marin Horizon School commute traffic on Evergreen Avenue (which amounts to 53% of all Evergreen Ave. traffic) and the few students (15 +/-) and groups of special event student and adult attendees who currently walk to and from Marin Horizon School on Evergreen at Marin Horizon Schools expense.

We would appreciate receiving your reply prior to the 14 July 2010 meeting and the attendance of a DPW representative at this meeting to properly inform the public.

Attached for your information is "THE CASE AGAINST BUILDING A SIDEWALK ALONG EVERGREEN AVE."

Best regards,

Charles

Bcc Homestead Valley Concerned Citizens and Madrone Park Circle Group