HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - letter dated June 30, 1995 from resident supporting change 522 26th Street
Ames, IA 50010 Q d
II II - 5M
June 30, 1995 CITY CLERK
CITY OF AMES,IOWA
Mayor and City Council
P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
To the Mayor and City Council:
As you consider the change of parking from the east side of Jensen Avenue to the west
side, I would like to present some items for your consideration. Please keep in mind
that the primary problem with the parking occurs between 25th and 26th street, since
this block is directly across from the Friedrich apartments. It is convenient and
customary for the apartment residents to park in the street for easier access to the
apartment building which parallels Jensen.
In addition, please remember that the sidewalk on the east side of the street is used by
children who are walking to school and riding bikes. Individuals taking walks or
exercising their pets also frequent this area.
In the past some parking changes have taken place in this neighborhood and should be
considered in relationship to the current proposal. Approximately 15 years ago, the
parking on Luther Drive, which "Ts" into Jensen at the north end, was changed from the
east and north sides to the west and south sides. This came as a request from the
residents of the duplexes on the east side due to problems with the apartment dwellers
parking in the street. Therefore, the proposed change from the east to the west side of
Jensen would also be consistent with the parking on Luther Drive. In addition, about
five years ago there was a request from residents in blocks east of Jensen for the
south comer at 26th and Jensen to have a wider no parking area to provide better
visibility when turning south. Although this request was granted and the wider zone
marked, often someone does park in the "yellow" area.
The concerns we have had with the parking can be grouped in several categories:
Trash
We have found the following items in the street or on the grass:
• beer cans,
0 24 pack beer cartons (see enclosed picture),
• cigarettes and wrappers, and
• operating room mask.
There was also a condom under a tree by the sidewalk in my neighbor's backyard.
I mowed over a flattened aluminum beer can laying in the shade of a car in a
depression in the lawn. It sent aluminum pieces spraying across the sidewalk.
Most recently, we have had to clean up a broken bottle of beer on our sidewalk and in
the grass.
Noise
At night cars arrive late, have music turned up, individuals speak loudly, and sometimes
shout to friends on apartment balconies.
Parking
We have had boats and utility trailers parked in the street for several weeks at a time
with the tongue/hitch resting over the curb in the grass.
As individuals move into the apartments, they often park their trucks or vans on the
west side to unload.
I appreciate your consideration of this issue. It appears that it would be more
convenient for the residents in the apartments and less of a problem for the property
owners on the east side, if the parking were changed to the west side.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Darlene Fratzke
Enclosures: 1
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