Linda's change.org/FreeEastAve new petition is on change.org. Petition text is below.
Free East Ave
Started October 19, 2023 Started by linda kitch
Why this petition matters
We urge the City of Sarasota to OPEN the barrier on S East Ave, a public way, to pedestrians and cyclists, as part of the Alderman MURT project, to provide an access point to the Legacy Trail and Payne Park!
Given: That the city of Sarasota plans to extend a part of the Legacy Trail through Payne Park along the south edge,
Given: That some local residents, in particular owners of abutting Park Lane Condominiums, object to this public access, along a public way, into a public park, (for an informed decision, do read their reasons at a petition at www.change.orge/SaveEastAve
Given: That some other local residents feel that the Public in general should benefit from this access,
Note that this petition SPECIFICALLY relates solely to the public opening of access at East Ave to Payne Park (peds and cyclists, NOT automobile traffic); it does not include other points or requests brought up in the "STOP" petition.
Following are a few rebuttal points to consider regarding those who wish to deny this new public access.
Other points from the STOP petition mainly deal with potential changes along S. East Ave. There are many pros-and-cons, many options, to solve these legitimate issues, and as such, they are not a part of this petition, which is solely to OPEN PUBLIC ACCESS to PAYNE PARK from S. East Ave.
STOP also claims that this access point would CREATE many safety hazards (see above, pros-and-cons). One point IN FAVOR of FREE EAST AVE is that cyclists and pedestrians coming from the East will have a safer, mainly off-road option to the current detour down Wood Street, which is a narrow and heavily-trafficked road, towards the Publix grocery store.
I feel that many of the points of the STOP petition ("How would opening S East Ave at Payne Park hurt Park Lane...") deal with theoretical connected issues apart from, specifically, the Public Access to Public Park from East Ave.
One option that Park Lane has, instead of negatively impacting the public citizens of Sarasota by restricting public access to a public park, might be to apply for a partial vacation of the public street (S. East Ave is a wide street) along their boundary line for their private parking use, if they feel that could be legitimized.
What we herein ask of the City
This petition is addressed to
Commissioners of the city of Sarasota Commissioners @sarasotaFl.gov and to the City Manager, [email protected]
Alta Vista Neighborhood Association Board: [email protected]
City Council of Neighborhood Associations: [email protected] and [email protected]
Petition signers are welcome to send letters to the above to voice our position. In your letter, insert a link to this petition: www.change.org/FreeEastAve
Note: Donations made on this website support Change.org, NOT the petition sponsors.
Started October 19, 2023 Started by linda kitch
Why this petition matters
We urge the City of Sarasota to OPEN the barrier on S East Ave, a public way, to pedestrians and cyclists, as part of the Alderman MURT project, to provide an access point to the Legacy Trail and Payne Park!
Given: That the city of Sarasota plans to extend a part of the Legacy Trail through Payne Park along the south edge,
Given: That some local residents, in particular owners of abutting Park Lane Condominiums, object to this public access, along a public way, into a public park, (for an informed decision, do read their reasons at a petition at www.change.orge/SaveEastAve
Given: That some other local residents feel that the Public in general should benefit from this access,
Note that this petition SPECIFICALLY relates solely to the public opening of access at East Ave to Payne Park (peds and cyclists, NOT automobile traffic); it does not include other points or requests brought up in the "STOP" petition.
Following are a few rebuttal points to consider regarding those who wish to deny this new public access.
- STOP says, ..."We worry that this opening will lead to an invasion of privacy and security, trespassing,..."
- IN FACT, there is currently nothing stopping public malefactors from "invading" or "threatening the security" of Park Lane Condos, since East Ave is -- and has been -- a Public Street and Park Lane has no fence along that street frontage. Park Lane has the option, if they feel threatened by the public, to erect fencing, such as I and many other property owners have done, along their streetside property line to enhance their security. It is unusual for a property owner, if they feel the need for additional security, to attempt to restrict the Public from use of a Public Street.
Other points from the STOP petition mainly deal with potential changes along S. East Ave. There are many pros-and-cons, many options, to solve these legitimate issues, and as such, they are not a part of this petition, which is solely to OPEN PUBLIC ACCESS to PAYNE PARK from S. East Ave.
STOP also claims that this access point would CREATE many safety hazards (see above, pros-and-cons). One point IN FAVOR of FREE EAST AVE is that cyclists and pedestrians coming from the East will have a safer, mainly off-road option to the current detour down Wood Street, which is a narrow and heavily-trafficked road, towards the Publix grocery store.
- STOP petition seems to claim that possible, theoretical changes to Wood Street (again, outside the scope of this project) would essentially seize part of their property.
- I stress that the project plans DO NOT INCLUDE any land seizures from the Park Lane private property.
I feel that many of the points of the STOP petition ("How would opening S East Ave at Payne Park hurt Park Lane...") deal with theoretical connected issues apart from, specifically, the Public Access to Public Park from East Ave.
One option that Park Lane has, instead of negatively impacting the public citizens of Sarasota by restricting public access to a public park, might be to apply for a partial vacation of the public street (S. East Ave is a wide street) along their boundary line for their private parking use, if they feel that could be legitimized.
What we herein ask of the City
- REMOVE the barrier between East Ave and Payne Park for public pedestrian and cyclist access.
This petition is addressed to
Commissioners of the city of Sarasota Commissioners @sarasotaFl.gov and to the City Manager, [email protected]
Alta Vista Neighborhood Association Board: [email protected]
City Council of Neighborhood Associations: [email protected] and [email protected]
Petition signers are welcome to send letters to the above to voice our position. In your letter, insert a link to this petition: www.change.org/FreeEastAve
Note: Donations made on this website support Change.org, NOT the petition sponsors.
