[ back ]
Bainbridge Road landscape issue researched
(by Sue Reid - November 04, 2009)
Bainbridge Road landscape issue researched
By SUE REID
Solon City Council tabled legislation Monday for hiring a professional landscape designer to assist with restoration issues for residents along Bainbridge Road. Council also approved a motion to refer the issue to the law director to ensure that it's an appropriate expenditure.
The legislation was brought forward by council's public works committee, which held a special meeting earlier that evening.
Law Director David J. Matty said he would like a chance to review the situation, being that the city would be dealing with private property. "We are limited by state law as to what we can do," he said.
City Council already approved spending up to $25,000 for a landscape designer to assist residents who will experience significant landscape damage as a result of the Bainbridge Road reconstruction project. That occurred after legislation was approved to maintain two-way access on the road. One of the criteria was to look at landscape issues of the residents.
The project is slated to begin next spring.
Public Works Director James S. Stanek said it is still up in the air how the restoration program will work and he will await a recommendation from the law director.
Before the public works committee was a contract with Heidi O'Neill, of O'Neill Landscape Design, of Russell. Her rate would be $75 an hour.
Mr. Stanek told the committee that Ms. O'Neill's firm was the only one that responded out of the 10 that were contacted. Larger firms were not interested in the project, he said.
It is not a case of "we are taking what we are getting," Mr. Stanek said of Ms. O'Neill. She has experience in municipal government and is good with working with people, Mr. Stanek said.
He said it is important for residents to understand that her services would be available to them through the city.
"We should have a plan for each property signed off by all parties," Mr. Stanek said. That was hoped to be done by the first of the year, he said.
The City of Solon is receiving approximately $14 million in stimulus money for the Bainbridge Road project, which involves removing and replacing the entire road from SOM Center Road (Route 91) to the east corporation line. As part of the work on the over two-mile stretch of road, integral bicycle lanes and sidewalks will be installed. In addition, there will be the removal and replacement of the existing storm-sewer system and a few of the city's sanitary sewers that are beyond their useful life.
[ back ]
