Last night (3-28-06) at the city council meeting, a resident expressed a concern about access to The Midlands development through Carlimar and the impact on Graymoor-Devondale residents. Thelma Poe, chairperson, promised that we would ''take the concerns under advisement'' and respond to them.
We thought you would like to read the response that I drafted which is a summary of discussions of city officials during the past year:
During the past two years, I've been active as the city's liaison with the Fenleys.
Here's the key point: Access to The Midlands development through Carlimar is a practical certainty. Louisville Metro Planning and Design has a committed policy of requiring ''interconnectivity'' for new developments.
Likewise, the Fire Department may require more access points to The Midlands than the major one at the proposed roundabout on Highway 22. In point of fact, The City of Graymoor-Devondale has very little to say (from a legal and regulatory position) about the Carlimar access to The Midlands.
This interior connection to The Midlands could actually be a benefit to our residents in their desire to access the shops and other amenities in The Midlands. Otherwise they would need to drive to Herr Lane and use Highway 22.
Another consideration: Since a portion of The Midlands lies within the boundaries of Graymoor-Devondale, we will want to have access to those homes for garbage pickup and other city services.
Consequently, increased traffic flow through the north end of Graymoor-Devondale is a fact for the future. The real question is how to manage this situation.
Residents of Carlimar, Greenlawn, Graymoor, and Bedford have been accustomed to living on very quiet cul-de-sac streets. The streets are relatively narrow and lack sidewalks. Over time, this calm, private, and safeguarded environment will change. We intend to guide this change so safety concerns are paramount.
We began working on these concerns several years ago when the Fenleys first bought the land and proposed the development. We, too, saw potential problems of speeding and other safety issues for pedestrians, exercisers, bicycle riders, and neighborhood children at play.
During the past two years, I have discussed with Stephen Fenley the concerns of our city council and residents.
We have come to an agreement that the Carlimar entrance will remain closed until the Fire Marshall requires that it be open. No construction traffic will be allowed to access the development through Graymoor-Devondale streets.
I've discussed with Stephen Fenley about possibly installing sidewalks along Carlimar. I've talked about various traffic calming techniques for the neighborhood. We have arrived at a point of agreement on providing effective solutions to the safety and speeding concerns.
John Singler, our attorney, has been in discussions with the Fenley attorneys to craft binding resolutions for the development that would create a pool of money to implement these safety measures (possible sidewalks along Carlimar, rumble strips) and speeding control (including strategic stop signs, speed humps, periodic radar monitoring, and signage.)
Once the Carlimar entrance is opened, we are committed to monitor the traffic situation. Increased police surveillance will be initiated. If other safety measures are called for, we will deal with them in the future.
We fully understand and share the residents' fundamental concerns about the safety of our residents and others driving through the city. We will do our best to be responsive to the real-life situation as it emerges over the months and years to come.
Please feel free to comment here ... or contact me with your ideas.
