WORKSHOP ITEM - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager/Asst. City Manager
Title
DRIVEWAY AT 8621 ABLE STREET
Background
At a previous City Council meeting, Councilmember Hovland asked staff to get a cost estimate to adjust the driveway grade for 8621 Able Street to its preconstruction grade. The grade of the driveway apron was modified during the reconstruction of Able Street and the resident has complained that his trailer hitch now bottoms out when he enters and leaves his driveway.
Staff has reviewed two options to adjust the driveway grade. The first option would remove the driveway apron and 70 feet of sidewalk. This option would lower the driveway slope to 13%. The estimated cost for this option would be $9,000.
The second option would be to remove the driveway apron, 70 feet of sidewalk, and two sections of the driveway, approximately 18 feet. This option would lower the driveway to an overall slope of 11%, but would require removal of a 27-inch oak tree. The estimated cost for this option would be $14,000.
The sidewalk in this area was constructed in the 1990s to match existing driveways. The street reconstruction project did not modify the sidewalk so when curb and gutter was added, the driveway apron was dropped about two inches. This is not a unique situation in a reconstruction project and both options above will create more cross slope on the sidewalk, which is not recommended.
There has been one driveway reconstructed after installation and that was in an industrial park where a special lowboy trailer was used and the driveway grade could not be more than 2%. There was a driveway in a residential area that was reconstructed because it was so flat that it held water and one driveway where the original driveway flared at the end and it had been put back in straight.
Recommendation
Review options and provide direction on driveway at 8621 Able Street.