Jefferson Road Residents Oppose, Council Reconsiders Assessments

Because they benefit most from the repairs, residents are often charged extra when their street is upgraded.

But that should not be the case when the street is a major thoroughfare, heavily trafficked by businesses and residents throughout town, said several property owners that live on badly worn Jefferson Road at Tuesday's City Council meeting, where members voted to move forward heavy repair of a 3/4-mile portion of the street while holding off on a funding formula.

"Being assessed for everyone else's usage of the road just doesn't seem right," said one resident who moved into a home on the collector street in 1981.

She added that she didn't oppose residents of the street being assessed some of the $300,000 project. But she said with so many businesses benefiting from—and wearing down—the street, property owners should not be expected to foot up the $182,000 a motion proposed by city staff could set.

Councilor Betsey Buckheit agreed. She said Jefferson Road provides a general benefit to Northfield and should be paid for accordingly.

"I think there are significant issues on the assessment question," she said.

Because the street has not been repaired in 20 years, the repairs needed are more extensive, said city officials. The 3/4-mile stretch goes from Jefferson Parkway to Hidden Valley Road.

Opposition to the assessment was universal among residents, six of whom spoke against the proposal at the meeting. But some also complained that the plan's elimination of parking spaces would make the already busy road even less safe to get the mail or let their children play outside. One man said he was hit by a car as he fetched the mail.

City staff, led by City Engineer Katy Gehler, will present details of the plan at the Council's work session on June 14.