Jenifer Street Driveway Comment Page

While I feel for the few neighborhood people who are dismayed by the Jennifer St. driveway, I am definitely in favor of keeping it. I agree with all the comments about the improved safety and access, having had to back up into a line of cars behind me many times because I could not continue forward on that side of the lot. I live outside of Madison, so biking or walking is out of the question, and yet Willy St. is often my only choice for fresh, local and organic. Pedestrians and bicyclists everywhere need to be just as cautious as drivers when navigating the streets. I personally have not had any difficulty getting into and out of the lot on Jennifer St. and don't see an need to make it right turn only.

Please keep the Jennifer St driveway open. It has been so nice to have 2 entrances/exits for the co-op parking lot. Traffic flows better and people don't get stuck when searching for parking in the narrow area on the side of the store. There have been several times I have left without shopping because the parking lot was packed and too congested to navigate more than 2-3 times while waiting for a spot. Since the Jennifer St driveway opened, this has not happened. In addition to traffic flowing better, it seems to be encouraging people to park on Jennifer Street and that reduces congestion in the parking lot. It also helps eleviate a long line of cars pulling into and out of the Willy St entrance/exit. This is good for pedestrians and drivers on Willy St. Please don't go back to making it harder and more time consuming to park. Not all of us can bike or walk to the co-op; there are plenty of members who are drivers and need a convienent place to park without getting stuck in a corner of the parking lot because there is only one entrance/exit. There is also an environmental benefit to making it easy for people to use the parking lot; cars don't idle if there is efficent flow of traffic.

Dear friends and neighbors. I was out of town for 20 days when the construction work at Williamson St. was finally finished; as soon as I could, I went out to ride my bike and – surprise! – to bike (or walk or drive) through Jenifer St is again as nice as it was before the construction work – and the opening of the driveway. I really think that the traffic is again back to normal and, as I live almost in front of the driveway, I can testify that the big fuss about to close or not to close, that's the question, seems to me so parochial that I'm afraid that I'm missing some other thinks. I hope you find peace to do the real communitarian work that our place on the world deserves.

I want to register my full support for this driveway, and congratulate the coop leaders on being open to all feedback, which occasionally was tiresome even for me, a member but a relative outsider. I think the tenor of the debate among several parties has bordered on the hysterical, this weird language about 'honor' and 'promises' is out of control in my opinion. The coop is adjusting to changing times and traffic patterns, as it should. I don't think the visibility of pedestrians or bicyclists on Willy Street is any better than it is on Jennifer, so why the outcry? We can't all bike or walk to the coop, and the business cannot survive as an exclusive club for those who can. Thanks for listening.

I LOVE the driveway and the ability now to park on that side of the lot. Previously, it was a nightmare back there - turning that way and finding no spots available meant an awkward, dangerous turnaround maneuver in cramped quarters, inevitably with a string of cars behind, waiting to do the same. It seems a violation of traffic sense to not have an outlet back there. Please keep it open!

We have been members of the Co-op for 15+ years, live in the neighborhood and buy all our groceries at Willy Street Co-op. We love the new driveway and hope it will stay open. It has reduced congestion in the parking lot and made it safer for pedestrians, bikers and autos. It seems to me that many of the negative comments have to do with people not obeying the traffic laws which includes cars, pedestrians and bikers alike. I have also had many close calls, but with bikers in dark clothing without lights and with walkers/runners in the street. We all have a responsibility to keep our neighborhood safe - not just the Co-op. In balance, we believe that the Co-op is a tremendous asset to our neighborhood and must continuously improve to stay viable. Trying to push to Co-op backward isn't the way to keep our neighborhood alive and vibrant.

The driveway is a great addition to the Coop and the neighborhood. Safety in both the neighborhood and at the Coop are improved. Minimal traffic increase on Jenifer Street. I have been a member of the Coop for 13 years or so. Change is tough at the Coop but at least there is not a lack of apathy. Keep the driveway and move on folks.

I appreciate the fact that the Co-op has addressed the problem of collisions at its Willy St driveway by adding a safe rear entry/exit. The combination of steep slope between the Co-op parking lot and Williamson Street, fast-moving traffic, pedestrians on the sidewalk, and cars parked so close to the Willy St driveway that exiting drivers cannot see traffic coming, combined to make the Co-op's Willy Street driveway the most accident-prone non-intersection point in the city. The sensible addition of the rear driveway has gone a long way in reducing that safety hazard, and will become even more crucial over the coming months of slippery snow and ice.

Prior to this upgrade, cars attempting to exit at the Willy Street driveway were unable to see oncoming traffic because of densely-packed parked cars and knew that the oncoming cars were travelling fast - factors that encouraged exiting drivers to shoot onto the street as quickly as they could, fearing that if they did not rush they would be broadsided by fast-moving traffic they could not see coming. This rushing put pedestrians at risk as well as other drivers, and returning to these conditions would be a huge step backward for all of us who use this street and sidewalk. Keep the rear driveway as it is: entry and exit, open to both right and left turns.

It's dangerous. Many cars don't look for pedestrians on the sidewalk, so I've almost been hit, and I've seen other walkers similarly endangered, when someone tries to pull out unexpectedly. Cyclists aren't safe either. I'm glad some people have had such a delightful time on Jenifer, but I can't say I share that experience. I shop less at the Co-op because of the hazards of the driveway, and I avoid Jenifer St as much as possible. I used to shop at the Co-op three or four times a week, but now I only go once a week or so when I really need something and don't have a car available.

If the driveway must stay, then it should be right turn only, which would somewhat minimize the danger. The Co-op needs to be more forthcoming about who says there would be more safety risks in making that change, because the assertion is vague and suspect. I admit, however, that given the Co-op management's track record and actions regarding the driveway, at this point I don't trust the Co-op to be honest about anything they say or do on this issue. They'll do what they want to do.

I love the driveway!! It helps the congestion in the lot and at the Willy St./Co-op entrance. I know enough to look before crossing either driveway, whether on foot or on my bike. Times change, and with that verbal agreements that took place decades ago may no longer work.

Who was it that "cautioned that converting the Jenifer St. driveway in this way, short of full re-installation, may pose safety risks"?

I live too far to walk to the coop, so I'm always either on my bike or in my car. I love the driveway. Jenifer is still a very safe street to bike. Even during the Willy construction it was so quiet, even during the afternoon rush. And when I'm in my car, I can stop in at the coop without having a panic attack as I enter or exit the parking lot. This has definitely made me shop there more often and eventually join.

I appreciate that the Coop is going way above and beyond in seeking input and studying the impacts of the driveway. The driveway is very well-designed with both a speed bump and a stop sign. Please keep it just the way it is.

I just want to register my support for keeping the driveway open. As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I have found the option of ingress and egress to be both useful and safe. I think the Co-op is being very judicious and vigilant in their methodology of soliciting member/user feedback as well as looking at actual traffic study data. Thank you for your thoroughness and opportunity for users to give you our feedback.

As a pedestrian the Jenifer St driveway is not safe. Before the drive was open I be able to walk down the sidewalk safely. But now when I walk past the drive going toward Baldwin St, I notice that the exiting cars are looking toward the left for a break in the cars so they can turn right. Several times I observed drivers not even looking to the right (where I was standing in the sidewalk trying to cross the driveway) before turning on to Jenifer St. This is really bad during the after work rush. I noticed that the house next to the drive has a evergreen tree where the branches were cut back to allow a better view of pedestrians but I think the view is still obstructed.

As one that bikes on Jennifer St and drives on Willy St somewhat frequently, I love the driveway. It makes Willy St safer while keeping traffic on Jennifer St minimal. Love biking on Jenny St because there's so little traffic. It's a joy. With the Willy St entrance/exit the only one, it was incredibly dangerous. I had heard so much about it that I thought it would be an issue to bike on Jennifer St: not at all!!!

Even though I am an avid neighborhood bicyclist, walker, and non-car owner, I actually like the driveway. The problem is not that we have too many roads or driveways, but that too many people choose (yes, driving is a choice for most) rather than opt out of driving. I think it's a cop out to go after the coop for wanting to ease things up in their parking lot. Would I like the parking lot to be converted to a park with lots of trees? Sure! Would that be in the best interest of the Co-op or indeed the neighborhood? No! I think that the anger exhibited by those who are/were against the driveway have literally scared off most of us who would otherwise speak publicly in favor of it. The coop management has done a great job of communicating with the neighborhood and I hope they don't let a few angry folks get to them.

I love the driveway. I love thinking about the potential of not being stuck behind someone turning left from the front driveway despite the sign. I love the potential of using the Jenny St. driveway because it will get me home quicker and is more convenient that using the Willy Street driveway. I am very pro driveway as I see it not as a the big business winning over tenant rights, or whatever but as the co op doing what it can to make things easier for people whom wish to shop at the co op. I also see it as a huge waste of money to shut down the driveway. I also wonder how many of the people living on Jenny street in the last driveway debate moved out in August with the yearly renter turn over and really don't care anymore. Please please please keep the driveway.

I oppose the driveway because I am one of those neighborhood residents who remembers the discussion about not opening up the Jenifer St. side as a condition to agreeing to have the Co-op move in. I attended the meeting last August and was amazed at the way it was handled. Co-op management had already made the decision to put in a driveway and the meeting was clearly just a way to make neighbors feel they had a venue to voice their concern after the fact. My understanding from that meeting is that it will be re-evaluated and take traffic readings in to account once the Willy St. construction is over. I suggest management be extremely open and up front with any decision to keep the driveway permanently. I share Tom C's position on how the Co-op has dealt with this issue but am disappointed that it has turned into such an ugly exchange. In the meantime I have used the driveway on my bike and find it difficult to make a left hand turn safely. Traffic is heavy and fast. Thank goodness no other Willy St. businesses have such easy access to making a second exit on to Jenifer St.

Dear Mr Hofheimer;

You could apologize to the Hood that gave the 'Coop' its birth, promise to remove the contraband driveway instantly upon the completion of Willy St repairs, and promise not to undertake any more building or other projects impacting on your hosting neighborhood without out its and its neighborhood association's foreknowledge and consent.

Hohoho.

Your desire to keep all discussion of 'Coop' affairs off the public emails and safely controlled on your own site is unworthy; it suggests you're ashamed of yourselves…

Reminds me of Scott Walker and his midnight legislative session.

With all due respect…

Theodore H Voth Jr

Yeah, well, Tom…

You know I agree. moral decline, indeed, in the one hood in the world if any that should not be in moral decline. Shame on the Coop! Shame on us!

I hadn't realized none of the directors live in the Hood that gave the 'Coop' birth and nurtured it. I've made a couple of enemies with my opposition. Many homies believe the Hood owes the Coop humble deference and servile gratitude, when in fact the Coop owes the Hood its very existence…

O tempora! O mores!

[Later} To the Willy Street Grocery Corporate Entity;

Worse than what the Coop did is how you did it, sneakily, and behind our backs, with no shame, no honor, as a huge faceless corporation would. You owe your mother neighborhood an abject apology. The Hood gave you birth and nurtured you. We don't owe you, you owe us

High-handed and arrogant, with no concern to approach MNA in advance of your action, as you should know well is customary in the hood, and courtesy to the hood. I'd probably have been persuaded to let you build it if you'd only observed honor, courtesy, and due process.

And then in your effort to buy us off you insulted us with your pathetic rebate; I do almost all my grocery shopping at your glorified convenience store, exorbitant prices and all, and you returned me not quite $18. A real coop pays dividends. I learned later that your max was a magnanimous $100! Whoo!!!

Thanks for nothin.

With all due respect…

TV2

--
Jesus is Lord.

Ted Voth Jr,
tedvothjr@gmail.com
1335 Williamson #2
Madison Wisconsin 53703
(608) 257-1799

<3 TV2

I think the driveway on Jennifer should have been put in when the coop space was re-built years ago. I support it. I think this issue is much ado about not much and a bore.

While there are many folks who seem to like the driveway onto Jenifer Street, there has been little comment on the problems that driveway creates, whether one likes it or not. First on our list is the difficulty of getting out of that driveway after shopping. It is nearly impossible to see cars, bicyclists, and buses from either direction, but especially from the left. Turning left out of the driveway is absolutely hazardous. And, there are plenty of pedestrians in the area to add to the complexity of the situation. Jenifer Street is simply too narrow to accommodate the driveway as is with bikes, buses, cars, parking on both sides and pedestrians. Parking along the curb may be convenient for residents and shoppers, but it poses a hazard to entering & exiting the Co-op driveway for bicyclists and cars because one can not get a good view of the street situation. Although we have been using the driveway during the reconstruction, the Co-op should do more to encourage bikes and people on foot (really, a 5% bike benefit, when the businesses elsewhere on the street give 10%???). We often walk more than a mile to shop at the Co-op and have found little to accommodate walkers (example: the new parking lot still blocks the walkway between the buildings on Baldwin Street,leading from the front door of the Co-op to the right. Markers and a narrow path for walkers would have been an easy accommodation and a thoughtful addition.) All, in all, the new driveway is a poorly devised solution to a difficult problem. If it ends up becoming permanent, it must be limited in some way ("entrance only" or "exit only with right turn out of the lot only" and parking up to it restricted by 20 feet or so).

I think the additional driveway is excellent. As a member and frequent shopper and very nearby resident, I hope the coop keeps the driveway forever. It is much safer and more convenient. I believe it will further reduce accidents on Willy St exit by reducing traffic there. I want to applaud the coop for the kind and patient manor it has responded to Tom Christianson.

Over a month ago a previous poster pointed out

"Reviewing the October 12, 2010 Driveway Committee meeting minutes it states on the first page that "Minutes will come out 1 week after the meeting." Where can we find the minutes from the February 15, 2011 meeting of the committee?"

Not only have you not followed through on posting the minutes from the February meeting but I believe you have removed from your website the minutes from the other meetings as well.

I don't know if the members of the committee (I believe it included Marsha Rummel, Lindsey Lee, Scott Thornton, Carla?, Jenny?) knew they were being used as cover for the Co-op but obviously it was a ruse committee. Whether they were miss-led or useful dupes they should be embarrassed.

I love the addition of the driveway and think it will do much to help alleviate congestion and improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and auto drivers. I sincerely hope that it remains open for use long after the completion of the Willy St road project. Several things are coming together to make business great for the Coop and its neighbors. The narrower (post-resurfacing of Willy St) street will shift more traffic to East Washington. Willy St Coop West will draw more traffic that used to have to travel to the East Side. Continued easy access to the Coop parking lot from Willy AND Jenifer St will make life great for the Coop, its patrons and its neighbors. YEAH FOR THE DRIVEWAY!

As a 20+ years member and neighbor, I am very happy to have the Jenifer St driveway. I sincerely hope that others close to the Coop are not incovenienced, but I also hope that the driveway stays permanently. I think it makes access to the store much more convenient for many people becuase they do not have to deal with Willy St traffic. It encourages me to go to the Coop more often. Thank you.

Thank you to the coop for doing its best to be responsive to the needs of all of your members and other shoppers. You are in the difficult position of needing to balance the needs of your direct neighbors with the needs of your whole clientele. I will continue to shop at your store during the construction and beyond. And as for the comparison of this issue to current conflicts in our state government? No comparison.

Reviewing the October 12, 2010 Driveway Committee meeting minutes it states on the first page that "Minutes will come out 1 week after the meeting." Where can we find the minutes from the February 15, 2011 meeting of the committee? Also, in the same October 12, 2010 minutes it states
"Lindsey proposed that we send an email to John Leech, as we have already used
him when talking about a temporary driveway, and ask what would make the most sense
in terms of parameters for a permanent driveway. Elizabeth recommends setting up a
meeting to talk with him to get his perspective.
Wynston will write him. This is an action item."

Was this letter written? Can you please share any response you received from John Leech who is the City Traffic Engineer?

Thank you

I hope the driveway will indeed be temporary, staying open only until Willy St. construction is finished. I'm getting used to the tricks of the Walker government, and I hope that this isn't a similar trick to push through an unpopular and harmful proposal.

Management was successful at rallying the troops around the idea of a west store in no small part thanks to promises that it would ease congestion in the Willy Street lot. You got what you wanted. Now back off the permanent driveway on to Jenny Street, and let's start healing.

Thank you for recommending auto routes to and from the Coop during Willy Street construction that use arterial streets. Also, for mentioning respect for neighbors. Both are featured prominently on your website and also appeared in the March 2011 “Willy Street Co-op Reader.” These are good steps in the right direction for auto patrons, bikers, pedestrians, the neighborhood and the Coop. Please, 1) maintain that attitude, and 2) remove the Jenifer Street driveway when Willy Street construction is finished. If you can manage those things your neighbors may stop loathing the Coop and return to the good old days of feeling it was a valuable part of our community. It’s well past time for the Coop to stop bullying and set an good example for how to behave in a community.

For those in support of a permanent egress from our Coop into our residential neighborhood, please address the following:

These neighborhood voices are on record opposing our Coop’s permanent egress on to Jenifer St.
1. MNA.
2. MNA Traffic Committee
3. SASYNA
4. Alder Rummel,
5. The WSCBRZ petition with over 40 signatures, most, perhaps all, of whom are Members
6. An additional petition, again most of whom are Members
7. A meeting at the Coop where a preponderance of Members voiced opposition to the driveway.
8. Anya’s handpicked Ad Hoc committee that advised no permanent driveway.
9. Many individual posts delivered to the Coop by Members, in opposition to the driveway.
10. 100 years of neighborhood activism, that among other achievements, changed the zoning of the rear half of the Coop parcel to Residential.

Why is it ok to ignore, disregard, and never acknowledge these significant neighborhood, and Coop Member, voices?

The neighborhood is hosting the Coop on the residential side of the parcel BECAUSE of an exchange that occurred during the Coops effort to get 10) above, the zoning changed to Commercial. Neighborhood said, “We wont support a change in zoning that entails commercial traffic exiting on to Jenifer.” Anya provided a new site plan that showed NO egress on to Jenifer St. All parties, even the Coop with a quote in print available, understood this trade to mean, “Neighborhood will drop their resistance to a zoning change, if the Coop will not put an egress on to Jenifer St.” There is really no question that this was the agreement that was made, and no one has denied that is was.

Why is it ok for a business to betray a promise to its residential neighbors?

Why is it NOT ok to equate the bullying that Scott Walker is doing to the bullying by the Coop re the driveway installation? Both are using the law to cover up their betrayal of their supporters. Both are pushing blindly against the wishes of harmed parties. Both refuse to engage the conversation. Seems to me that bullying is bullying.

There certainly can be legitimate reasons to be in favor of an egress on to Jenifer St. But to create a community where fairness, trust, and cooperation are affirmed, don’t the questions above need to be addressed? And what is the precedent we leave behind if we don’t address these questions?

This is a small matter on a practical level. But on the deeper level where our values are affirmed and the web of our community is being built, the egress is a water shed issue. Which way do you want us to go?

Tom Christensen, Member and Neighbor