The Clearwater City Council is reviewing what it might cost to replace a driveway curb on Bluff Street.

 

At the last council meeting, Wally and Diane Eisenschenk of 265 Bluff Street asked the council to consider replacing the curb in front of their driveway because the angle damages their vehicles. 

 

“We’ve been involved in classic cars for over 30 years,” said Wally. “We can’t get some of those cars in the driveway because of the low profile they have.”

 

The curb was replaced last summer as part of the Northeast Area Street and Utility Improvement Project. The streets were paved and curb and gutter was installed where there had been none before.

 

The project called for surmountable curb, which allows vehicles to park along the sides because of the lower height.

 

But a number of residents have complained that the angle at which their vehicles enter their driveways is an issue. Some cars scrape bottom on the way in and out.

 

The Eisenschenks said they wanted theirs replaced because some other properties were given lower “knock-down” curbs into their driveways. 

 

“We noticed that a lot of other driveway approaches are low profile and we were wondering why,” said Wally. “Why did some get that, and if there was a choice, was it given to all of us, because we never knew that we had a choice.”

 

Engineer Kevin Bittner said there was never an option given as part of the project design. Some resident who were home when the curb was being poured asked for a lower profile.

 

“During the course of construction, there were some residents that requested that and it was granted in the field,” he said. “It didn’t get back to me. Those were worked into the project on the fly.”

 

“So you’re saying if I was standing at the end of my driveway, I could have requested that at the time they were pouring it?” asked Wally.

 

Bittner acknowledged that.

 

Wally said that was unfair.

 

“I’m looking for it to get  replaced because of the fact that if other people had the option and I didn’t, that’s unfair,” he said. “I should have had the option.”

 

 

“They put a fabric underneath for aerodynamics,” he said. “Mine is ripped off now. That’s from going into my driveway.”

 

There is already a punch list of items that will be addressed by the contractor this spring. Bittner said there are cracked curbs and concrete aprons that have to be replaced or repaired. But there are no plans to change the style of a driveway curb that isn’t damaged.

 

Diane Eisenschenk asked the council what they were supposed to do if they can’t use their driveway.

 

“Is it legal that I can’t get my car in my yard without damaging it?” she asked. “Do I have to post a sign that says you can’t get in my driveway, you have to park on the street?”

 

Administrator Kevin Kress said the council has a few options.

 

“You can get the cost estimate. The city could decide to take on this cost or they can do a new assessment and turn the cost over to the resident that requests the knock -down,” he said. “The other option would be to leave it alone.”

 

Councilman Kris Crandall said he’d at least like to know what it would cost to replace one driveway curb. That way the city would have an idea of the cost if others requested something similar.

 

The council requested Kress and Bittner get some costs for the next council meeting.