Debris, traffic, parking problems plague Archwood

Thank you for your well-covered article in Mission Times Courier posted Aug. 21, 2015, covering the parking, traffic and trash issues from the new apartment complex along Mission Gorge. This will be a repeat of the same issues and problems we face on Archwood Avenue and other surrounding streets in the area of Kaiser Permanente (KP) on Zion Avenue and its main entrance across from Archwood Avenue.

Throwing cold water on hot coals can’t smother the fiery enthusiasm of residents frustrated over the daily street parking, trash and traffic issues brought on by Kaiser and Knowles Apartments approved by the city along Zion Avenue and now the new apartment complex on Mission Gorge, also approved by the city.

Drive by the main entrance of Kaiser Permanente along Zion sometime and check out the wisdom of the city and the crosswalks they recently painted across Zion to encourage people to cross Zion and jaywalk from Archwood Avenue to KP. It also encourages cars to make illegal, unsafe U-turns at the intersection, to grab off-site street parking. And the beat goes on and on – until someone is seriously injured or killed, or kids are struck by fast moving cars, trucks etc. Sorry, but true. These issues are reported, but just seem to go by the wayside because one voice doesn’t cut it or go to far in District 7 these days.

My wife Shirley and I have represented Archwood Avenue and Crawford Street, surrounding KP and Knowles Apartments along Zion for more years than we would like to remember.

Our hard work and timeless hours have fallen on deaf ears. The city has shown little effort to keep the lines of communication open with us when I have tried, even from 3,000 miles away. Over the last 30-plus days they have refused to answer my emails when I respectfully requested their reply and advice. Even after Councilmember Scott Sherman told 25 to 35 residents in his living room during a meeting he called in February 2014, “let this be the day as we more forward to open better lines of regular communication between the City, KP and community,” he has chosen to go silent and speaks with a forked tongue and not support the neighborhood within the community he serves.

–Ralph Richardson of Grantville via email

Greenbriar signal should get red light

I was surprised to read your story about the Greenbrier traffic light at the new apartments on Mission Gorge Road. From what I read, it appears the city or the developer violated the direction they were given at the City Council hearing when the development was approved. At my request, the City Council specifically directed to protect the neighborhood and not allow the traffic light to be built as it is today. It’s disappointing to read both city and the developer may have allowed the intersection to be designed in direct conflict with what I recall was direction from the City Council and the resolution that approved the entitlement.  While it’s possible the City Council changed the approval after I left at the end of 2008, I would encourage residents to contact both the City Attorney and their councilmember for further review.

–Jim Madaffer, City Councilmember, 2000-2008