The morning call., 1891-02-09
POTRERO AVENUE.
A Heated Discussion Over the
Route of Extension.
Economy and Convenience the Desiderata.
Should the Avenue Be Carried Over the
Hill or Through the Marsh?

AS appeared at meeting of the san Bruno
Road Improvement Club yesterday the
mooted question in that body is whether or
not POtrero avenue should be extended in a
straight line. Almost every property holder
in the district has his individual views on
the subject. and hence, with its many rami-
hcations, including the questions as to grade,
convenience and economy, the matter is
almost as far from final settlement as at
first.
The committee appointed to inspect the
proposed route of the extension and decide
upon a plan to be followed rendered two
reports, that of the majority being that Po-
trerO avenue should be extended south from
Twentyffth street in straight line to the
Silver Terrace Homestead, on Charter Oak
avenue, preserving throughout its present
width This report received the concur
renee of Behrend Joost, NJ. johnson, Pat
rick Kelly. H. A. Crane and j. Z. Roy, but
John Reynolds, who rendered the minority
report, main tanned that the avenue should
be extended in straight line to Sutro
fence, and thence along California avenue
to the Guadalupe Dairy, making a dehec-
ton of 10 per cent and thence to San Bruno
road.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN.
In his argument he pointed out what ap-
peared 10 be the advantages Of his plan,
saying the necessity OF crossing 1000 feet Of
swamp land would be obviated, and that
San Bruno road, O highway that has for
twenty-six years been in constant use and
is therefore in perfect condition for the
heavy hauling which the dairymen of the
district are occupied with, would be rem
dered more convenient for travel.
The speaker also dwelt upon the saving
in money, saying that it would be at least
1lO cent The rOutp wOuln alS0 @ a m
inviting one to those who drive out for
pleasure. presenting a picturesque view
from its hillside and traversing vast fields
| Of green sward and wild flowers. With re-
gard to the grade, 1t would not exceed per
| cent.
Mr.. Joost was afraid that the grade
would be too steep, making heavy hauling
| impossible, and Mr. Crane pointed out the
| objections to serpentine road. The former
gentleman also preached the subject of ex.
pense. declaring that Mr.. Reynolds scheme
would involve an expenditure of $50, 00(
| more than tue plans of the majority of the
| committee.
AN OBSTACLE.
1t was also pointed out that by maintain
| ing straight line, the railroad property
| would be intersected, which, of course,
| could not be condemned without great
| trouble and expense. whereas if this prop
| erty could be kept out of the survey, much
| less difficulty would be experienced in deal
|
| Mr.. Taylor raised the point that in thu
| future 1t may be desired to extend the
avenue TO San MateO, in which case les:
trouble VIII be experienced, if due regard i;
paid to the possible interests of the people
| of that county. IL the avenue is so con.
| structed as to benefit them, they viii doubt
| less lend their aid in its future extension.
Mr.. Kelly also suggested that the resi-
| dents of the districts would more readily
pay for direct read, unbroken by angles
than winding thoroughfare which would,
OF course, be of infinitely greater length.
The grade, he said, should not exceed per
cent.
FAVORED DELAY.
Mr.. Reynolds seemed very earnest in his
espOusal of plans such as he suggested, and
secuted the idea because he and Mr.. Roy
were the only landowners on the route that
the people would oppose it. The soil that
would necessarily be cut away, he said,
could well be utilized in filling up the
swamp. Moreover, he demanded that the
matter should be laid over for a couple OF
others. as he greatly objected to running
thus rough-shod over the property OF those
having no voice in the proceedings.
Other arguments to the effect that by MI,
Reynolds scheme Army street would have
TO be bridged, and that less people would be
accommodated, were made. Behrend Joost
explained that the policy of inviting oppu-
sitlon to the proposed improvements before
the Board of Supervisors was good one,
as he had realized great profits in that way
with regard to the Market-street extension
proceedings.
THE MAJORITY PREVAIL.
After further expression of opinion by
those present. the question was put and the
minority report rejected. A motion to allow
the matter to go over was also lost, where
upon vote as to the majority reuort was
taken, resulting in Its almost unanimous
adoption.
A resolution was next passed directing the
committee to draw up petition to be pre-
scented to the board, and here the question
as to whether Potrero avenue should be cut
through to Ninth street arose; also as to
whether 1t would not be just as well to ex-
tend the avenue to the county line.
After protracted debate it was decided to
allow the committee its option as to that,
and soon thereafter an adjournment was
taken.