The Duluth City Council voted 6-3 tonight to make permanent the controversial closure of the northbound lane of Lakeview Drive at Snively Road after citizens spoke out for and against the closure.
The lane was temporarily closed in the summer of 2006 in response to resident complaints that an excess number of motorists were using the street as a short cut to Lakeside to avoid taking Woodland Avenue.
The six-month temporary closure to prevent through traffic expired two years ago. It must either be removed or made permanent.
Citing safety concerns, most of the residents on the five-block stretch of Lakeview Drive with traffic restrictions want the closure made permanent. Many living nearby want it removed, saying the lack of access is an inconvenience that only benefits people on five blocks of Lakeview Drive. They also stressed that roads should be public.
Voting for the closure were Jeff Anderson, Tony Cuneo, Sharla Gardner, Gary Eckenberg, Garry Krause and Greg Gilbert. Opposing it were Todd Fedora, Jay Fosle and Jim Stauber.
