10 signatures reached
To: Citizens of Calera, Alabama
City Of Calera: Acceptance of Ridgecrest Road
Mayor Graham and Esteemed Members of the City Council
City of Calera
7901 US-31
Calera, AL 35040
City of Calera
7901 US-31
Calera, AL 35040
Dear Mayor Graham and City Council Members:
We, the undersigned residents and property owners of Ridgecrest neighborhood, respectfully petition the City of Calera to consider accepting and maintaining Ridgecrest Road as a public road.
Background:
Ridgecrest Road is a privately maintained road that serves 29 homes in our community. Since its development, the residents have been solely responsible for the road's upkeep. However, due to increasing maintenance costs and the growing need for repairs, it has become increasingly challenging for them to manage the road's maintenance effectively.
Reasons for Request:
- Public Use: The road is used by residents, visitors, delivery services, emergency vehicles, and others, making it an essential part of the city's infrastructure.
- Safety Concerns: The road's current condition presents safety hazards, including major drainage issues due to the road never being completed and properly sloped, which could lead to accidents or hinder emergency response times.
- Financial Burden: The cost of maintaining the road has become a significant financial burden for the residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes or otherwise unable to afford the necessary repairs.
- Increased Property Taxes: Residents in the area already contribute to the city’s budget through property taxes, and we believe that these contributions should include essential infrastructure support, such as road maintenance.
Requested Action:
We respectfully request that the City of Calera take the following actions:
- Accept Ridgecrest Road as a public road under the city's maintenance.
- Conduct a formal assessment of the road's current condition.
- Develop a plan for necessary repairs and ongoing maintenance.
Conclusion:
We believe that transferring Ridgecrest Road to city management will improve safety, enhance property values, and ensure consistent and professional maintenance. We trust that the city will consider the needs and well-being of its residents in making this decision.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a favorable response.
Sincerely,
Alan Rouse
Why is this important?
The group JRock Development, which originally submitted the plan for the two phases of this development, went out of business between 2008 and 2010. The remaining lots were foreclosed on and sold to a bank. They were then bought by a builder who finished building out the neighborhood. Ridgecrest Road was never completed and only has a base layer. No one has assumed responsibility for this street. We are banding together to request the city accept this street as a public street, perform an assessment, and perform any necessary repairs. The road needs to be properly graded, and the street floods during heavy rains. The city no longer holds the bond the developer had to get as part of the approval process. We are in limbo and asking our fellow citizens of Calera to help us get the City Council's attention and ask them to help working-class families in their community