OWOSSO - Ron Dankert, who lives on the corner of Cass and South Michigan became concerned and then a little upset that the city had assessed him $13,000 for the historic brick pavers in his street that were now being, in Ron’s words, “beat up” up by industrial truck traffic. Ron stated he called the city to see what could be done and the city suggested that he and the neighbors submit a petition to the city. Ron and twelve other neighbors affected did submit a petition but none attended the city council meeting and it was voted on unanimously by the council to accept the petition but reject the request to reject the truck traffic. This is now the only way for trucks to access the area on the end of South Michigan since the city gave the ok for the people who bought the property on M-52 to block off the road that the truck traffic that had at one time used to access the property. Trucks up until just a year ago or so turned on to the road that extends off of M-52 and follows the tracks to S. Washington St. Industrial trucks now turn off of M-52 onto Cass and then turn south on S. Michigan 1 block to access the land accessed by the road along the tracks. Since Ron has been told by the city with the dismiss of his petition that he has no say on the destruction happening to the brick street that it would only be fair for the city to refund at least half of the special assessment that Ron and his neighbors paid to have this street bricked that is not going to hold up to truck traffic. Below are the Owosso City Council Minutes of September 2, regarding this situation. TRUCK TRAFFIC PETITION The City is in receipt of a petition signed by 13 residents residing or owning property in the vicinity of the 400 block of South Michigan Avenue requesting the prohibition of truck traffic on the block in question.* City Manager Crawford noted that when Michigan Avenue was reconstructed the stretch from Main Street to Cass Street was deemed off limits to trucks. Within the last year a new tenant has occupied the building at the south end of Michigan Avenue increasing the truck traffic on the block south of Cass Street. He said that if the City prohibited truck traffic on that stretch it would cut off business to that building and they have the right to access their property. He further noted the street was constructed as a major street so it should hold up to the truck traffic. Council held a brief discussion regarding the current condition of the street, whether the truck traffic would increase, and not denying the right to access the property. It was noted a weight limit could potentially be instituted if it is discovered truck traffic is damaging the roadway. Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Eveleth to receive the petition and reject the request to ban truck traffic on the 400 block of South Michigan Avenue. Motion supported by Councilperson Bandkau. Roll Call Vote. AYES: Councilpersons Bandkau, Greenway, Fox, Teich, Mayor Pro-Tem Eveleth, Councilperson Bailey, and Mayor Frederick. NAYS: None. Below are photos that Ron Dankert took of the street in question.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 01:14:16 +0000
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