OCR Text |
Show City hears Penrose issue of vital significance," claimed Mr. Glaus. "A road 24 feet wide like Penrose Drive should not be used for ambulance travel in the first place," replied Mr. Gardiner. Throughout the course pf the hearing, the commission was addressed by a large number of people and saw tempers rise at several of the pleas. By DAN WATK1SS Chronicle Staff A public hearing Wednesday in the city commission chambers, dealt with the commission's decision to close Penrose Drive (150 North). The commission scheduled the hearing soon after an Aug. 25 hearing during which some 75 Federal Heights residents submitted a petition requesting that Penrose be closed to traffic. The commission's ruling, though, was temporarily reversed by City Attorney Jack Crellin, who requested that a public hearing be held prior to any further action. The hearing, which housed some 100 persons, heard both proponents and oponents of the proposal. Opposition to the plan primarily claimed that the commission's com-mission's decision was an expediant and ill-planned solution to the Federal Heights traffic problem. Proponents, however, commended the commission, claiming that the Penrose traffic was ruining their neighborhood. Two petitions opposing the closing of Penrose were submitted by Crover Thompson, president of the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU). Both petitions asked that an alternate route be supplied to accommodate student traffic presently using Penrose. "We will continue to oppose the plan until such an alternate route is supplied," said Thompson. Quick to counter the petitions, though, was Mr. Ray Gardiner, member of the Federal Heights Improvement League. Mr. Gardiner pointed out that an extensive plan has already been compiled by the city traffic engineer. This plan, however, has yet to see any action. If adopted, the city engineer's plan would widen First South at the intersection of First South and Virginia Street, and would further extend a peripheral road from Eleventh South along the eastern edge of the campus. This plan drew opposition from residents of Eleventh South. Another group opposed to the closing of Penrose consisted of several physicians at the Primary Childrens Hospital's intensive care center for babies. The physicians believe that the lives of several babies and other patients may be jeopardized by the road's being closed to ambulance travel to and from the University Hospital. This concern was also voiced by Mr. Jeff Glaus Cold Cross Ambulance driver. If Penrose is closed to traffic the ambulances will have to go by way of First or Fifth ' South to get to the University Hospital. "These routes could add anywhere from five to 15 minutes in travel time; minutes |