Argos citizen Paul Stearns brought up some concerns to the Argos Town Council in a recent meeting regarding Albert Street.
“Last meeting, y’all were talking about the camp ground that started on 302 Albert Street,” Stearns provided photos to the council of that property which detailed the current situation at that property. Stearns stated that the photos had been taken earlier that day, prior to the meeting. He also said that there was an electrical hookup that had been installed. “I just happened to notice since they moved the one trailer.
The bulk of the concerns brought by Stearns regarded construction on Albert Street.
“My first concern is 413 Albert,” he said. He also provided images for that property. Stearns was concerned that the road, once completed, would be too close to the house located on 413 Albert Street. “You wouldn’t want it done to your piece of property.”
Council Vice President Shawn Harley asked Town Plan Director Chuck DeWitt what the setback was between the building and the public right of way. DeWitt replied that it was normally 25 feet, depending on the zoning.
“The problem is, the right of way for the road is further than what the pavement is either. The houses were built too close to the road and I don’t know what to do. I’ve talked to engineers about it and they don’t know,” said Utilities Superintendent Jamie Lindstrom.
Harley called the issue a “Double edged sword” where he can see both sides of the issue, but he also said that he doesn’t know what the “happy medium” is at this point.
Argos citizen Bob Byers agreed with Stearns adding that the project should’ve been expanded toward the east into the right of way on the farm land side instead of closer to the houses along East Street. “That would have solved this entire problem because, he’s right, and I’m not kidding here, they could about open a drive-thru restaurant out of their kitchen window.”
“That house has, at least, three young children. One near the age of two, and if they come out that side door of that house, there’s a door on that side of the house, and a car drives by it’s gonna get ugly real quick,” said Stearns.
“I’ll have to check again, but the right of way on the farm side isn’t what we thought it was or what it looks like,” said Lindstrom. “It’s close on the other end. That’s why we didn’t do anything with the north end of that.”
“I feel, personally, I wouldn’t want the street that close to my house,” Harley said.
The topic went to question what do you do when a house is built during a time when building standards didn’t exist. According to the parcel report on the county’s Beacon website, the home was built in 1920. It is currently owned by Wiper Corporation, located in Florida. However, Stearns told that council that the home was built closer to the 1870’s.
“I know what Jamie’s saying. Yes, it’s right of way, but on the other hand there comes a point. When do we be that person that goes in and puts it because we can, because it’s there?” said Council Member Bob Barcus.
Council Member Erica Partin stated that since the home already has a privacy fence, couldn’t the town extend the fence along East Street to create a barrier of sorts between the house and the road.
Barcus commented that by doing that, it doesn’t address the entirety of the issue, only a part of it.
Lindstrom told the council that the company isn’t coming back to build until July 31 so the town has some time to figure out what to do.
“But what’s safe? Three feet? Four feet? Seven feet? What’s the number?” Lindstrom asked the council.
No one had an answer to that question. While there wasn’t any solutions finalized, Lindstrom said that he would consult the engineers.
