(Editor's note : to see Keith's email as originally sent, please go to :
http://saveevergreen.blogspot.com/2011/01/homestead-resident-input-on-evergreen.html )
Begin forwarded message:
-----Original Message-----
From: Charlessands <charlessands@aol.com>
To: skinsey <skinsey@co.marin.ca.us>
Cc: fmansourian <fmansourian@co.marin.ca.us>; bbeaumont <bbeaumont@co.marin.ca.us>
Sent: Sun, Jan 16, 2011 11:55 am
Subject: Fwd: Homestead Resident Input on Evergreen Avenue Sidewalk Plans:
Bcc: Madrone Park Circle, HVCC, SaveEvergreen, Hearus groups and HVBeat
FYI
See the following A level headed proposal from Dick Fregulia a long time (42 yrs) resident of Homestead Valley
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: PRIVATE
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:49:55 -0500
Subject: Re: solutions
To: saveevergreenave@gmail.com
Keith:
This might seem excessive, but considering the volume of rhetoric I
have received on the subject I am now compelled to throw in my own two
bits worth. Could you send this out with your next group mailing
since I don't have access to a Homestead e-mail list.
I see three problems and propose three solutions:
-First is the aesthetic problem of a suburban cement sidewalk. The
picture below is of the new crushed rock path on East Road connecting
Sausalito to Fort Baker/Cavallo Point. The same design would seem to
be very compatible with the character of Homestead Valley. The
sidewalk measures 4 feet wide (that includes the 6" cement curb). The
cable fence might help to define the right of way, protect homeowners
property fronts from abuse, and even encourage them to maintain their
own frontage between their property and the walkway. It also might be
unnecessary.
-Second is the logistical problem of the block (on the turn) between
Elm and Linden. The south side of Evergreen on the curve would simply
have to become a no-parking zone. Although that would seem to be
unfair to the homeowners affected, each of the houses on that side
actually has the space to accomodate one or two cars on its own
driveway or in undeveloped space in front of the house. A few of the
houses would need some work done. For example, the houses at #117 and
#139 have potential access to what at one time was driveway space in
front of a garage. The corner house (#101) has driveway access on Elm
to a structure that has been apparently converted to a living unit .
The un-numbered house currently being rennovated between 137 and 199
has no driveway, but there is space in front of the existing structure
for parking, even though it is not configured so at the moment. Funds
for necessary improvements should be made available from the project
budget.
-Third is the corner of Melrose and Evergreen, which will need at
least a well-marked crosswalk to the beginning of the walkway. One
big problem with the current intersection is that souteast corner
curves into a right turn, which only encourages faster right turns
(around a blind corner) by cars already going downhill on Melrose. A
curbed corner could be extended out from the property to give more
sidewalk room for pedestrians, to re-define the corner as a right
angle, and to in-effect slow traffic down. The curb space should be
taken from the street, not from the existing narrow frontage, and be
replaced by an equal widthth of street space added on the Volunteer
Park side. A Pedestrian sign could slow traffic even more and
eliminate the need for 3-way Stop signs at that corner. Speed bumps
are out of the question because they are a serious hazard to
bicyclists.
From what I can see, the rest of Evergreen is already configured for a
sidewalk, with a curb already in place for most of the straightaway.
The funding, of course, seems to come with lots of strings attached.
I am opposed to the proposal we have been given, but we do have a
problem with traffic and pedestrians, with or without Marin Horizon
School, and an appropriate solution seems worth considering.
dick fregulia
homestead resident for 42 years
