Residential Sidewalk Development
Policy
Agenda Item 12.C
By: Benjamin A. Fine, P.E.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Meeting Date: November 1, 2022
Background
•Council’s dedication to
walkability
•Shell Beach Streetscape
Multimodal Path
•Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan
•Hinds to Oceanview Sidewalk
•Sidewalk under US 101 @ Spyglass
•Ventana Drive Median
2 Council Inquiry
•Oct 4, 2022 –Council inquired about a landscaping
project that was thought to be conditioned to install
sidewalk
•Project applicant was told they would need to install drainage improvements, but no sidewalk
•Council directed staff to bring back the sidewalk policy for review
3 Public Improvements
•Streets and Highway Code 5610
•The owners of lots or portions of lots fronting on any portion of a public street or place when that street or place is improved or if and when the area between the property line of the adjacent property and the street line is maintained as a park or parking strip, shall maintain any sidewalk in such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons or property and maintain it in a condition which will not interfere with the public convenience in the use of those works 4 Residential Sidewalks
•City does not construct residential sidewalks
•October 7, 2014 –2014/15 Paving Project
•Constructed a sidewalk on Longview Avenue and Wadsworth Avenue •Council made clear this was a “Safe Routes to School” project 5 Residential Encroachments
•Current Council direction
•September 7, 2021 –Limit encroachments
•Palomar Ave Project
6 Current Requirements
•Sidewalk is currently required for projects that include:
•Relocation of existing curb and gutter
•Relocation of existing driveway approach
•Substantial reconfiguration of an existing home
•Addition and minor reconfiguration of an existing home •Substantial addition of an existing home
•Final decision based on characteristics of the street. 7 Other Agencies
•Addition of any room other than a bathroom
•Construction of any detached structure larger than 120 square feet •Conversion of 25%or more unconditioned space (garage,shed,etc.)to conditioned space
•Addition of 50%or more to a structure that is 999 square feet or less or the addition of 500 square feet to structures 1,000 square feet or larger •Addition of 40%or more of the existing habitable square footage or 500 square feet,whichever is greater
•Any addition of 100 square feet or more
•Significant remodel modifying 35%or more of a structure,whether or not square footage is added
•Remodel where alterations remove or modify 50%or more of exterior walls or remove or modify more than 50%of the roof framing •Agencies with a hard percentage or square foot threshold reported “gaming of the system”8
Conclusion
•Requiring sidewalk
•Places a greater financial burden on property owners
•Creates pockets of isolated sidewalk for a while
•Makes neighborhoods more walkable in the long run
•Staff is seeking Council’s direction
9 Questions