4/27/1993 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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M M will be to find a way to fund the paving. Councilman Thomas was sure the majority of the citizens wanted the road paved and realize it must be paid for because there is no free lunch. If the assessment can be spread over five years, it will be easier on the property owners. Whether the road is paved or not, Berry Groves will continue to haul fruit over Willow Street and the cars and trucks will continue to be torn up and the street will remain in the same bad condition. The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard in this matter. Peter Yerkivich, 175 South Elm Street, was opposed to being included in the assessment area because he has other routes that he can use to reach the paved or main roads. He challenged the petitions and speculated that those favoring it were in the unincorporated area and that residents of the City of Fellsmere opposed being assessed for the paving. He emphasized that he wanted to voice his opinion because all the commissioners and councilpersons were present. Chairman Bird assured Mr. Yerkivich that he would be able to voice his opinions at the public hearings also and that the project will not proceed unless a majority of the assessed property owners favor it. Harold Cox, was concerned about 79th Street and felt sure everyone will benefit by paving Willow Street because their cars will not be abused so much. He asked whether the estimated $850,000 was for the complete project, and Director Davis responded affirmatively. Jim Cloughly, representative of Jack Berry Groves, addressed the concerns of the Fellsmere City Council. He assured the council members that Berry Groves would not route more traffic onto Willow Street because the western route is shorter, safer and the trucks can avoid the high traffic areas. He disagreed with some of the figures of the traffic study. He related that the last mile of Willow Street was constructed by Mr. Berry and the entire length of the road was maintained by Berry Groves over the years until the County asked that they not grade it. He stated that when the City of Fellsmere was without a grader for several months, Berry Groves graded Willow Street from the grove to CR512 for at least a year. He contended that the grove owner pays a large amount of real estate taxes, possibly more per acre proportionately than the 5 - acre tract owners with homestead exemption. Since the estimated 7 APR 2 `1 BOOK 89 FAGS 411 1993