[OldNorth] Trash Pick-up & Alleys

[Valerie Vann]

Bruce,
 
Suggest you omit the 600 blocks of G and F from distribution.

There may be an exception for the 4 units at 641
(two in front, two on the alley); I don't know
what their status is; they do keep their 6-8 cans on
the alley in a "shelter". Maybe the truck just backs into
the alley a short way. But the way the cans are stored
won't work with the new trucks because they're stored
close together. 

All the rest of us keep our cans on the
sides of the lot toward the front since
these blocks have had on street pickup for
about 10 years (or whenever the alley paving issue was,
which is when we got kicked off the alley.)

The end lots put theirs out on 6th or 7th Street near
the alley entrances.

I can't imagine DWR consenting to return these blocks
that have long since made the change to alley pickup.

Also, most of the 500 Block of F has long put theirs
out front on street since their alley was paved, 
though the bus stops will present something of a challenge, 
as these units now put the cans
on the planting strip, NOT in the street as will
now be necessary.

I wonder if DWR and the bus companies talk to each
other..

Val
----
Valerie Vann
valerie at vanngroup.com



Bruce Winterhalder wrote:
> 
> Old North Neighbors in the Bowers Addition (those of you on alleys):
>             The following flyer will be distributed in printed form later
> this week, with a stamped & addressed survey card asking if you prefer to
> continue alley service with the new garbage carts or move to street pick-up
> service.  We have tried here to summarize the advantages and disadvantages
> of the two possibilities.  We were asked to do this survey after discussions
> with DWR about our options under the new trash pick-up system.
>                         Bruce
> 
>                                                   Sunday, September 12, 2004
> Trash & Recycling Pickup­The end of Alley Service?
> 
> Dear Old North Neighbor:
>             You probably received the recent "Get Ready - Get Set" flyer
> from Davis Waste Removal (DWR), announcing a new system for trash and
> recycling pick-up.  The new system uses large, wheeled containers for both
> trash and recycling.  They are emptied mechanically, to reduce employee back
> injuries.
>             The system works well in typical suburban residential
> neighborhoods where residents roll out their cans from their two-car garages
> and can block one lane of their two-lane driveway with the cans. However, in
> the northern half of Old North (between 6th and 7th Streets), where the
> streets have alleys and few houses have driveways, we have a special
> challenge.  The new pickup trucks with their mechanical arms on the side
> would have a hard time fitting down our back alleys in their current state,
> and so DWR has announced plans to discontinue alley pickup service.  The
> expectation is that residents would roll cans from wherever they are stored
> out through their front yards, and over the parking strip and curbs, placing
> them in the street for pickup.
>             After discussions with DWR and some careful measurements of
> alleys, we have determined that it would be possible to continue alley
> service with the new carts and lift systems, but it will require

> 
> 
>    * Neighborhood consent to tree-trimming to provide a clear path for the
>      trucks and locations for the cans.  DWR has said it would prefer the
>      full 15' right-of-way width to be absolutely clear, but we believe they
>      could make service work with a 12' clear path from end-to-end and wider
>      areas where the cans would be placed for pickup.  This would leave
>      essentially all of the small border gardens that some have planted
>      along the alley edges, but would require clean-up where the alleys are
>      narrowed.
>    * Placing cans along one side of the alley only, (so that each trash
>      truck and recycle truck would only have to traverse each alley once.
> 
> 
> The City has asked we poll the neighborhood on its preferences.
>             We have tried in the table below to summarize advantages and
> disadvantages of each option.  Please consider the situation and return the
> enclosed survey form, stating your preference.
>             If you have questions, you can call DWR at 756-4646
> [www.dwrco.com], or Angela Willson (ONDNA, awillson at pacbell.net).
> 
> Alley Pick-up, Advantages:
>             Continues current system; Clean streetscapes; Ease of access for
> carts located in backyards; Few conflicts with parking.
> Alley Pick-up, Disadvantages:
>              Trucks, puddles, ruts, noise; Very tight placement of cans
> along one side required for pick-up.
> Forty or more carts mean more obstacles in alleys; Likely, some tree/shrub
> trimming in alleys.
> 
> Street Pick-up: Advantages:
>             Easier for DWR personnel; Less mess and fewer obstacles in
> alleys; Fewer ruts & puddles in the alleys from heavy garbage trucks
> ‘gunning’ to accelerate and slamming on the brakes; Less exacting placement
> of carts than required for alley.
> Street Pick-up, Disadvantages:
>             Conflicts with people trying to park; Difficulty of getting
> large, heavy carts to and from street & over curbs, given tradition of
> back-of-house storage; Unsightliness if carts are stored in front yard.