Frequently Asked Questions
We know you will have many questions throughout the design
and construction of your street;
which is why we developed a list of frequently asked questions. Based
upon our prior experience,
we can expect that you may have questions similar to these:
Who do I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
You may contact Walter P Moore’s project manager, Dan
Brown, at (816) 701-2114, or Dan Stack with the City of Overland Park
at (913) 895-6028. During construction, the contractor will have a designated
contact person, and the City of Overland Park will have a construction
representative available to answer questions.
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When will construction
begin?
Street and storm sewer construction will begin spring
of 2008, but utility companies may be working during the fall of 2007
relocating their utility lines and poles that conflict with the proposed
street improvements.
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When will the street construction be complete?
Construction is estimated to be complete during the fall
of 2008. However, weather and other uncontrollable circumstances may
cause delays. In any event, Walter P Moore and the City of Overland
Park will keep the residents informed.
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In what order will the streets be constructed?
After the contractor has been selected, there will be
a meeting before construction begins. At this meeting the contractor
will present a schedule and construction sequence to the residents.
The contractor determines the order of construction, but the City, the
design team and most importantly you, the residents, will provide input.
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What
will my new street look like?
The street will be designed to the City of Overland Park’s
residential street standards. This standard typically includes a 22-foot
(or wider) asphalt roadway surface with concrete curb and gutter on
both sides. The new street will also include a sidewalk on one side,
street lighting, and a storm sewer system to replace the existing roadside
ditches.
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How will the drainage be improved along my property?
One of the key issues addressed when designing a residential
street project is the storm water drainage. In this case, before the
design begins, we will drive through the neighborhoods after a rainstorm
and visually determine the areas where stormwater was ponding or not
draining properly. Based on observations and conversations with property
owners, we will adjust the street elevations to optimize the current
drainage for the entire project area. There may be locations where additional
grading within a particular homeowner’s property may significantly improve
drainage characteristics. If this is the case, the Owner will be contacted
and the possible improvements discussed in detail. When the Owner is
agreeable, a supplemental grading easement will be obtained. If the
Owner does not desire this additional work on his property, the project
will be designed accordingly.
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How many trees will be removed along my property?
The City and the design team recognize the beauty of
each neighborhood, which is enhanced by many well-established trees.
Reasonable efforts will be made to preserve each and every tree. On
previous residential street improvement projects within established
neighborhoods, the City of Overland Park has allowed some minor variations
in design standards to save healthy trees. These variations have included
retaining walls or tree wells around the drip-line of an existing tree
or shifting the sidewalk to avoid the tree. Unfortunately, some individual
trees may still have to be removed to provide enough room for the new
street, but each case will be looked at independently. If you have a
question about specific trees along your property, please contact our
project manager. We would be happy to meet with and show you firsthand
the trees we can save and those that will be too close to the proposed
roadway or storm sewer system.
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How much of my property will be disturbed?
The amount of construction that will take place in your
lawn will vary for each property owner. During the second public meeting,
the limits of construction will be defined and presented to the residents.
We will be able to personally show each property owner how much of their
property will be disturbed. For the most part, construction will be
limited to the City’s right-of-way; however, in some cases construction
may need to extend beyond the right-of-way. This work will be reviewed
with each property owner, and for that portion it is the owner who has
the final decision. If any work is to be done on your property that
extends beyond the right-of-way, the City will request from you an easement.
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What will my lawn look like when this project is complete?
Your lawn will be sloped to meet the edge of the new
concrete curb. There will no longer be any roadside ditches along your
property or culvert pipe underneath your driveway. During construction,
your lawn will be stripped of grass within the limits of construction.
The contractor will be required to place a temporary ground covering
on the exposed dirt areas that are expected to be open for extended
periods to prevent erosion and soil from “washing” onto your property
or into nearby streams. Once the street and utility construction work
is complete, topsoil and new healthy sod will be placed within the disturbed
area.
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What is going to happen to my landscaping along the current
roadway?
Landscaping such as flowers, bushes and ornamental features
located within the City’s right-of-way limits will not be replaced.
Items within private property but within the limits of construction
will be judged on an individual basis. When the final design is presented
at the third public meeting, we can let you know how much of your yard
will be disturbed. It is generally recommended that anything located
within these limits, which you would like to preserve, be transplanted
prior to construction.
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How is my driveway going to be repaired?
Your new driveway will be concrete within the public
right-of-way. In some cases, we’ll need to replace your driveway beyond
the right-of-way in order to create a driveway slope equal to or better
than the existing. In that case, if your driveway is concrete or asphalt
it will be replaced with concrete. If it is a gravel driveway then it
will be replaced with new gravel.
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How can I have my entire driveway replaced?
Additional driveway replacement will be at the homeowner’s
expense. Once a contractor is selected, the property owner will have
the opportunity to contract with the contractor to replace their driveway.
You are not obligated to have the street contractor do this work and
may solicit bids from other contractors.
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Who will let me know when they are going to begin work on my driveway
or the street in front of my house?
The contractor will be required to notify residents at
least 24 hours in advance when they are going to begin work on their
street or driveway.
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How close will I be able to park to my house when the
street is under construction?
Your driveway should be accessible in the evenings and
weekends during the entire construction process. The only time it would
not be accessible is when the concrete for your new driveway is curing.
For the most part, your driveway will be accessible during weekdays,
except when utility or street construction work in front of your house
is occurring. The street construction will be coordinated in a manner
that allows homeowners the ability to park near their home in the evening.
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How
can we drive on the street when it is under construction?
A gravel material will be placed, which will eventually
be underneath the new asphalt roadway surface. Not only does this provide
a stronger base for the road, but also acts as a driving surface for
residents while the road is under construction.
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Why does my driveway appear to be ready for me to use,
but it is still barricaded?
Once concrete is placed, it takes seven days to become
strong enough to drive on. After curing is complete, the contractor
will saw the concrete to help prevent future cracking and then the driveway
will be ready for use.
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How soon can we drive on the asphalt?
Asphalt can usually accept traffic within four (4) hours
of being placed.
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Will the postman be able to access my mailbox during
construction?
Yes. The local post office will be notified of the upcoming
construction. If your mailbox is on your house, the mailman can deliver
the mail. However, if your mailbox is near the street, special arrangements
will be made.
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