After two meetings and a workshop, residents of Via Del Mar walked away from the Town Council meeting, satisfied that they had obtained some measure of privacy along their small residential boundary.

The community, located on Ocean Way, just east of U.S. 1, had been concerned that a new sidewalk and bike path would put bikers and pedestrians less than 15 feet from their homes, particularly from their bedrooms and baths.

On Tuesday, however, Betsy Munson, president of the community’s homeowners association said “it was a good compromise.”

Munson had proposed to the Town Council that the sidewalk be narrowed from six to five feet, and that the town help the neighborhood by funding about $8,000 in landscaping improvements, based on the town’s estimate of the needed privacy landscaping. Town staff members had suggested that the neighbors request a town grant that would only pay half of the cost.

“How is this $500,000 grant to be spent?” asked Via Del Mar resident Judy Condron. “We should not be expected to spend penny one for this project. The town should provide for our safety and privacy. Surely out of this grant can be a couple pennies for Via Del Mar.”

Members of the Town Council agreed, voting to narrow the sidewalk to five feet and to provide $10,000 toward additional landscaping that would help screen the public areas from the residents’ homes. The staff would have the discretion to increase the budget somewhat if needed. The council also directed staff members, with expertise in landscaping and the environment, to work with the residents to create a landscaping plan that would provide the needed screening.

Town Manager Andy Lukasik said the staff would work on a preliminary plan and then discuss it with the residents.

Although the residents opposed even having the sidewalk along the north side of Ocean Way near their homes, Tom Driscoll, director of engineering and public works for the town, said that this sidewalk would provide safer access between U.S. 1 and the beach. Eventually the sidewalk and bike path would lead to a signal light at U.S. 1 that would take walkers and bikers along the remainder of the Riverwalk corridor. In addition, the town will install stop sign warnings along the road and would be resurfacing the asphalt walkway on the south side of Ocean Way as part of the $500,000 grant that adds the bike trail and sidewalks.

source : www.tcpalm.com