Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/18/1999

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issues are: 1) Should the "sidewalks" (bituminous or concrete), be only along arterial roads - or should their siting be linked to density. 2) Should the width be standardized at eight feet to ensure flexibility in future snow removal and to provide for safe two-way traffic. 3) If a developer is required to construct these facilities, is the cost credited against the $300 per unit trail fee? If not for interior streets, how about arterial roads? If the costs for the sidewalk/trail exceeds the $300 per dwelling unit, would the City reimburse those costs? If so from which funding source. Commissioner Rolfe stated that the major arterial roads should have sidewalks on them and should be designed within the road section and the developer should have to pay for them and not come out of the trail fee. Commissioner Asfahl stated that if the developer is responsible for installing the sidewalk, then there is the guarantee that they will be completed. She added that density is a major issue. It is the Commissions consensus regarding issue #1 that arterial and connectors roads should always include a sidewalk, and anything in higher density should be considered on a case by case basis. Chairperson Cook stated that the City should go with standardized width because of the maintenance issues. He explained for a multi-use trail, eight foot is not wide enough, but if the standard width is eight feet, along roads, it would be maintainable. Commissioner Rolfe stated that the City should go with the eight foot sidewalk and avoid the ten feet bituminous trail. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos agreed with not using the ten foot width, for aesthetic reasons and because it may invite more vehicular traffic. Commissioner Cook stated that he would not be opposed to certain neighborhoods installing a concrete sidewalk instead of a bituminous if a developer is willing to pay for it. Commissioner Asfahl inquired if it was standard policy for residents to maintain any sidewalk in front of their property. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos replied that the City does not have a policy in place. He explained that in other cities they start out leaving the responsibility up to the residents, but often end up developing a policy to have the City maintain them. Consensus of the Park Commission in regards to issue #3 was that trail fees should not be used to install sidewalks on arterial or collector streets that the developer should have to pay the cost. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos inquired if the need for a sidewalk is created by a high density development. Park and Recreation Commission/October 14, 1999 Page 5 of 6