Bruening Addition property owners sound off about city's drive to install sidewalks

Bruening Addition (courtesy of Beacon software)

A crowd of around 50 people attended Monday night's Decorah Planning & Zoning Commission in the wake of letters sent to property owners in the Bruening Addition, telling them to install sidewalks on their property.

The property owners urged the city to conduct a feasibility study, so it could answer questions about retaining walls, water drainage, steps, rails and utility boxes.  One property owner, Kath Woosley, said "I have a steep driveway" and worried about maintenance a sidewalk would require.  Another property owner, Rita Holthaus, said, "I'm going to have to build a retaining wall," and worried about the cost.

Keith Bruening, who developed the subdivision more than 20 years ago with his brother, told Planning & Zoning members "You're picking on our subdivision," and asked why the Bruening Addition was chosen first--a question the Planning & Zoning Commission members did not answer.

Property owner Paul Mattson noted that the properties next to his did not currently have houses and asked whether he would be "building a sidewalk to nowhere."  Property owner Steve Chambliss told the Planning & Zoning Commission, "We deserve a (feasibility) study."  He urged the city to develop a 10-year citywide plan, so that everyone in Decorah knows the future impact of installing sidewalks.

Planning and Zoning Commission member Joel Zook said the commission has developed a 5-year citywide plan.  P & Z Chair Brian Cook told the group, "Everyone wants sidewalks--just not on their property."  That drew a response from property owner Steve Tjossem, who urged Commission members "do not oversimplify the problem."

The Planning & Zoning Commission will again discuss the issue at its October meeting.