Sidewalk, pathway codes to change

SANDPOINT — Before delving into a master planning effort for sidewalks and pathways, city staff is looking to improve City Code to provide clarity, consistency and fairness.

“The City Code feeds into our master planning and it feeds into our policies that we establish,” said Sandpoint Public Works Director Amanda Wilson. “If we have a restrictive code that is impacting the way that we go about our master planning or policies, then that can inhibit our ability to have the flexibility that we need to adjust. So that’s why we see the need to start with the code.”

Sidewalks and pathways are an “extremely complicated” subject matter, Wilson said. For that reason, last Wednesday’s workshop was the first of a two-part workshop regarding the topic. Among other outreach efforts since first bring the topic up to City Council in December, a citizen advisory committee was established in January to provide feedback on staff recommendations to City Code.

Sidewalks appear in a number of sections throughout City Code. However, Wilson said, the ones that rise to the top at this point are who is responsible for new sidewalk construction, as well as property owner responsibility.

Current code states that property owners are responsible for construction and repair of all sidewalks and curbs, and that council may order construction, alteration or repair of sidewalks and curbs. In addition, the city reserves the right to install, repair or replace any sidewalk or curb in city limits. New construction of sidewalks is typically done under new subdivisions, plats, and when building permits are triggered, Wilson said.

While City Code is the starting point, Wilson said, it is difficult to have a conversation about City Code without having a conversation about the master plan as well. The master plan, she said, should address where sidewalks make sense and improve connectivity.

“Because that is a fundamental goal, is to improve connectivity,” Wilson said. “There is very little resistance we get when we are doing our outreach that people want sidewalks, it is just making it fair and equitable, which is why it is such a complex issue.”

The master plan will also address funding options and prioritization.

While many cities put the cost of sidewalks on adjacent property owners, council president Shannon Williamson said she would like to see the city take responsibility for some of the funding in areas where sidewalks may be deemed necessary for public safety, such as school routes.

“If we are determining that this is for the public benefit, then I feel like the city should be taking a part in funding that,” Williamson said. “... That is something that immediately jumps out to me that I do feel like it would be something to consider if we are going to create, as a city, a priority list for the public benefit.”

She said it should not be a surprise to the property owner as to whether they will have to pay for improvements or not.

Williamson also pointed out that in addressing code changes first, many of the possible revisions would be dependent upon the things that come out of a master plan.

“The answer that I have is I think we can get there, and I think starting with the code is essential to be able to have the flexibility and to allow us to do master planning,” Wilson said.

The master plan will address areas more specifically than the code, and will continue to evolve and change over time as well, Wilson said.

“So what we need, potentially, is a code that allows that to happen,” Wilson said. “So what we are looking for from council is are you comfortable with staff providing a recommendation that may not put the entire onus on the property owner? Is that something that we could try to draft and bring back to you?”

Council members replied with answers of “yes” and “absolutely.” Williamson said she thinks the current code is “unfair” and there should be a balance between what the city expects of the property owners and what the city provides as a service.

“I know that is a really long process to get there, but I think that the code is really restrictive, and I can’t tell you what my feedback is going to be until you bring it back to us,” Williamson said.

Wilson said the goal is to have City Code revisions to council for a decision by May, and a final master plan by September 2020.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.