Created: 11/17/2008 6:54:09 PM 
ATLANTIC BEACH, FL - As this quaint oceanfront city continues to grow and evolve, older neighborhoods are undergoing a public works makeover. But not everyone is thrilled with the potential changes.
On Main Street several blocks west of Mayport Road, homeowners recently learned they would be getting sidewalks after decades of living on a dirt road that was first paved in the 1970s. The plan is to have a four-foot grass buffer from the curbside, then four foot wide sidewalks. A total of eight feet that some homeowners feel is 'encroachment' of their front yards.
What many homeowners don't realize, according to city officials, is that the city easement, or property line runs the length of Main Street approximately 11-1/2 to 12-1/2 feet from the curbside.
Public Works Director Rick Carper told First Coast News construction of a sidewalk on the west side of Main Street could begin as early as January of 2009. For now, those who live here walk on the road.
"Pedestrians use the street because there are no sidewalks on Main Street. It's a 24-foot wide street, but because there are no sidewalks, it's also marked as "no parking" all along the street," said Carper.
A half-dozen neighbors complained to First Coast News that they are always getting parking tickets because their driveways are so small there just isn't room for a second or third family car. With news of the impending sidewalk construction, there is concern that that parking room will shrink even more.
Longtime Main Street homeowner Sandra Doaner says sidewalks by themselves are a good idea, but she's upset over a proposal to add a bike lane in addition to the sidewalks. The bike lane would mean the city would be taking its full 12-foot easement for a grass lane, a bike lane and the sidewalk.
Doaner met with First Coast News and Public Works Director Carper Monday afternoon to explain her concerns. She pointed out how many of her neighbors had developed extensive landscaping in their front yards that would be torn up by the city's construction.
"Like this one here, I mean, you'd be taking out his front (yard)... he is totally ripped over that idea. Eight feet? -- I mean, just look what eight feet would do! If you walk down further this street, you've got some that are single driveways. You take eight feet --they can't park!"
Neighbor Karen Friedemann agrees.
"Sidewalks are fine but we don't need bike paths. It's too narrow as it is!"
Still, some property owners on Main Street favor the future construction.
Peter Sapia told First Coast News he believes it will enhance the neighborhood and raise property values.
"It just makes it more family-friendly," said Sapia.
And the City's Public Works Director says this is just one piece of an overall bike path network.
"What the city is looking at is extending that network so that you can get access to both Dutton Island Park and Tideviews Park without riding in the streets," said Carper.
The Atlantic Beach City Council is expected to vote on the sidewalk plan at its December 8th meeting.
Carper says the city will take input from residents before deciding on whether to add the bike path along Main Street.
"The sidewalk is a sure thing, but the bike path is still undecided," said Carper.
If city leaders vote to just have the four-foot sidewalk and four-foot grass buffer on December 8th, construction will begin in January.
"It should take three to four months to complete" said Carper, adding, "If the vote is to add the bike path, then it will go back out for bidding, and construction would be delayed probably until sometime in March.
The December 8th City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
