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<br />CASE # Lf <br /> <br />POLICIES AND ORDINANCES RELATING TO SIDEWALK INSTALLATION <br />By: Steven Jankowski, Assistant City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />At the request ofthe Public Works Committee, staff has reviewed City Code and other policy <br />documents in an attempt to provide a comprehensive summary concerning sidewalk and <br />pedestrian considerations for the City's transportation network. In addition, this case includes <br />recommended guidelines and priorities for sidewalk and walkway which have been prepared by <br />the Federal Highway Administration. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br />City Code 9.50.50 subd3(;) which is attached to this case requires the installation of sidewalks <br />for new subdivisions in City. This section defines the requirement for sidewalk to be a minimum <br />of five feet wide concrete with a thickness Of four inches and further specifies where sidewalks <br />are required. The City also has the authority under City Code 9.03.06 sub 2 (also attached) to <br />require sidewalk as a part of the site plan approval process that pertains to commercial and <br />multifamily developments. At the time of this writing staff has found no policy which addresses <br />a goal of installing sidewalks within the existing rights of way without them. Staff will continue <br />its research into this aspect and report any updated findings at the meeting. <br /> <br />The City's Comprehensive plan calls for the community to become "walkable ". This fact <br />coupled with the ordinances requiring the installation in new developments would seem to lend <br />to the conclusion that as existing street right of ways are reconstructed, these projects should also <br />include sidewalks. A written policy may wish to be considered which clearly states this. <br /> <br />Should the Committee wish to pursue the development of such a policy; the attached information <br />regarding the PEDSAFE program prepared by the Federal Highway Administration provides <br />specific guidelines for the design requirements of sidewalks, including a section addressing the <br />concerns expressed relative to retaining the rural character of suburban and exurb an <br />neighborhoods that are common in Ramsey. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />Staff recommends that it be directed to develop a policy regarding sidewalk installation in <br />existing right of way. <br /> <br />Action: <br />Motion to recommend to City Council that staff recommends that it be directed to develop a <br />policy regarding sidewalk installation in <br />existing right of way. <br />