Essanay_2006_02_19_0096_s

Niles
Community Unity
A secular public forum

Niles Alleys


Niles has some alleys that are really streets. They are in legal limbo where the City of Fremont asserts that when they annexed the area that these were somehow left out. Google and Mapquest acknowledge that these are streets, the City of Fremont does not.

This group is for those interested in the upkeep or promotion of these unique alleys.

 


In 1994 a group of us did some research into the ownership issue: The City claims that they do not own the alleys because they did not accept them from Alameda County at the time of City incorporation. Alameda County made a list of all streets and public properties that it was going to give to Fremont. Fremont countered this offering, from Alameda County with an additional list of streets that it would not accept. The Alleys in Niles were NOT on either list. The City makes the statement that they do not own them, based on this? This implies that Alameda County still owns them. In 1994 the Alameda County Real Estate Department made it very clear that the Alleys in Niles were given to Fremont at the time of incorporation.

So, the City claims that they do not own the alleys! That is like getting married and then at a later date claiming that " you weren't aware that your spouse's left arm was part of the marriage", and you do not accept responsibility for it.

When the City says that they do not own the alleys…why do we believe them?

The City should be celebrating and promoting the use of the Alleys, but what happens instead, is denial.

Paul Welschmeyer <paulwelschmeyer@yahoo.com>


Alley Gallery

Progress
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Creating Alley Day

If our town and business owners could ralley together and try just one alley, (let the homeowners and business owners petition which one with Main Street Assoc.... i.e. "Why my Alley"), it could set the trend for the others and this could get accomplished over a period of time, one alley a year or every other year if that's too much on everyone to organize.

Continued »
 
I am very interested in your project and would dedicate some time. See all 2 replies
 
I am very interested in your project and would dedicate some time. I was also interested in developing a history of the alleys in terms of interactions with the City so that I can be as informed as possible when I approach them to do some work. Could we plan a meeting ASAP? My house is under construction and would not be an appropriate place. Should I email the people who have responded already and see if they want to meet at the Nile this weekend?Diana BrumbaughIron Horse Lane
Posted - 09/11/05 9:20am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 09/11/05 9:42am
 
Hardest part is the maintenance
 
Being one who has tried to maintain her "part" of the alley (Victory Lane at J), I have to say that the hardest part is the maintenance... and the watering of plants. Remember that BFI uses the alley's - perhaps they could somehow contribute to their maintenance. Their truck drove over the ages-old rosemary bush that sat at this corner, and I probably have made it worse by trying to take out all the dead wood (although it was kind of pretty when the nasturtiams were growing on what is left...). Years ago, Matt Edwards laid a soaker hose back there, and that has helped in the watering area, as long as I can remember to hook a hose up to it at least biweekly. But, since I did this myself, I take ownership for it, and I get pleasure from seeing it at least somewhat planted. While I applaud the effort suggested, there will have to be some ownership for maintenance.deni
Posted - 09/11/05 9:30am by Lynn R Slater
 

Developing a History of the Alleys

I was also interested in developing a history of the alleys in terms of interactions with the City so that I can be as informed as possible when I approach them to do some work.  Could we plan a meeting ASAP?  My house is under construction and would not be an appropriate place.  Should I email the people who have responded already and see if they want to meet at the Nile this
weekend?

Continued »
 
Legal limbo blocks improvements See all 5 replies
 
Some years ago I had a wonderful Alley Cottage designed for a local resident which used the Alley for required parking access - as is has been used for the past 100 years.The project complied with all planning requirements, except one, said the City Planner…
Continued »
Posted - 09/11/05 9:23am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 09/11/05 9:40am
 
Paving was promised 25 years ago See reply
 
Many many years ago, probably 20-25 years ago, during one of the many revelopment districts that Niles has belonged to, the alley's were supposed to be paved. As property owners next to the alley by the fire department we actually had a letter from the city stating that. But instead they put curbs on 2nd and 3rd St and then totally ignored the streets like H, I and J etc who never got curbs or drainage either. No on at the city ever remembers things like this, because "it must happened before I came" and therefore is invalid. Riki on Hillview (chomegs)
Posted - 09/11/05 9:16am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 09/11/05 9:16am
 
Asked for help 10-12 years ago
 
About 10-12 years ago a bunch of us in Niles asked the City to help maintain the alleys. There had been problems with emergency services because those who lived on the alleys had addresses of the main streets. So to solve that problem the City named the alleys but insisted that they were private property. Note the "Private" on the signs... Apparently some residents' deeds state that their property ends at the alley, while other deeds include the alley. When Alameda county "gave" all the public roads, through fairs, and streets to the City of Fremont, the word "alleys" wasn't specifically noted, therefore the City refuses to take any responsibility. Since the City is in a perpetual budget crisis, I wouldn't get any hopes up that the City is going to do anything at all - EVER.  My take is that there's free land in Niles since the some property owners don't have the land in their deeds and and the City says it's not theirs either. Can people still homestead???Kely McKeown
Posted - 09/11/05 9:10am by Lynn R Slater
 
What is the deal is with the alleys? See reply
 
It looks like the town is on the cusp of really turning into something even better but I wanted to know what the deal is with the alleys? Why are they not paved or maintained to a higher level? Can the fire dept easily access homes along the alley in an emergency?Ron, apts in rancho arroyo  rancharroyoron
Posted - 09/11/05 9:00am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 09/11/05 9:02am
 

Projects and Improvements
 
Paving See all 4 replies
 
I just purchased a home, and have rented for three years, on Iron Horse Lane. I was asking a friend who had lived on the same street for many years the same question you have posed here. He said that the city has always treated it as the responsibility of the homeowners on the alleyways. But, I think it is time that the city realize that it is in their best interest to pave. I have commented before that, in a one year time period on my block, two cars were hit (including my own), my gate was hit, the library was hit, and another building was hit. People tend to drive too fast because they like the gravel or are trying to avoid main streets. They often hit rather large dips and probably lose control. I have named one seasonal puddle "Lake Iron Horse." The condition gets worse each year. Just adding gravel has caused the roads to be too high, allowing water run-off to flow into properties.In addition, the appearance of the alleys gives some people the impression that it is OK to litter, drink, or urinate here. One bar has their recycler pouring out leftover beer bottles in the alley (hopefully I have stopped this). My friend and I were both commenting that the alleys could be really attractive. I think paving would be the obvious first step. Anyone interested in working with the city to this end is welcome to contact me via email. I am willing to get the ball rolling.Diana (dianabrumbaugh)Iron Horse Lane
Posted - 09/11/05 9:06am by Lynn R Slater, updated or replied 09/11/05 9:25am
 

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