13 - Update Subdivision Regulations Establishing Requirements for Pedestrian Sidewalks

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Item No. 13 TO: Mayor & City Council John Godwin, City Manager FROM: Carla Easton, PE, City Engineer SUBJECT: REGULATIONS FOR SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION DATE: May 7, 2019 BACKGROUND: Sidewalks are an integral part of a transportation network. They provide for safe pedestrian travel from residential neighborhoods to retail and service areas, parks and entertainment districts. Many of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris have sidewalks, although many are severely damaged, buried, or missing. While sidewalks should be constructed with all new subdivisions, it is not included as a requirement in the subdivision regulations, so most neighborhoods built in the last 50 years do not have sidewalks. In 2016, the City developed an ADA Self -Evaluation and Transition Plan (which is a federal requirement) to identify areas of non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to provide an action plan for coming into compliance. The plan recommends the adoption of minimum standards for pedestrian facilities with all development and redevelopment within the city. Section 15 of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Update also acknowledges the need for sidewalk requirements, and includes the following recommendations: 15.11 Provide for sidewalks in all new development projects so as to ensure compliance with ADA standards and the city's approved ADA Transition Plan. 15.29 Require construction of sidewalks on at least one side of all residential subdivisions (adding the requirement to the subdivision regulations), or where there are existing sidewalks replace all that are not ADA -compliant. 15.31 Require grass or planting strips between curbs and sidewalks. STATUS OF ISSUE: Staff is proposing to amend the subdivision regulations with requirements for the construction of sidewalks with all new development and substantial redevelopment projects. This is an important step for making Paris a more walkable city, as well as meeting the federal mandate for cities to meet ADA standards.