Title
Charlotte WALKS: Sidewalk Construction Ordinance Revisions
Action
Action:
A. Adopt an ordinance amending the sidewalk construction requirements in Chapter 19 of the City Code, and
B. Adopt an amendment to the Sidewalk Retrofit Policy to reimburse eligible affordable housing projects that reconstruct substandard sidewalk on thoroughfares.
Body
Committee Chair:
Gregg Phipps, Transportation and Planning
Staff Resource(s):
Liz Babson, Transportation
Scott Curry, Transportation
Explanation
* On February 27, 2017, City Council unanimously adopted Charlotte WALKS, Charlotte's first comprehensive pedestrian plan.
* The Plan outlines existing walkability initiatives and identifies new strategies for meeting pedestrian safety and walkability goals. The Plan has three key action items:
* Addressing back-of-curb sidewalks as redevelopment occurs,
* Amending the 50 percent rule sidewalk exemption, and
* Providing more crossing opportunities on thoroughfares.
* The Charlotte WALKS plan directs City staff to develop amendments to Chapter 19 of the City Code to address two of these key issues, 1) back-of-curb sidewalks on thoroughfares, and 2) sidewalk gaps. City staff prepared Chapter 19 ordinance amendments to meet the recommendations of Charlotte WALKS.
* In addition, City staff prepared an amendment to the Sidewalk Retrofit Policy to address concerns raised by affordable housing developers during the public comment process.
Proposed Chapter 19 Amendments
The proposed amendments to Chapter 19 focus specifically on new development activity along thoroughfares. Thoroughfares are the locations where poor sidewalk infrastructure presents the greatest challenge for pedestrian safety and comfort.
Revisions to the current Chapter 19 sidewalk construction requirements include:
* Addressing the Back-of-Curb Sidewalk Issue on thoroughfares:
* Amendments implement new triggers for replacing substandard/back-of-curb sidewalk to current standards along thoroughfar...
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