Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1205, "ZONING DISTRICTS" AND CHAPTER 1207, "ZONING DEVELOPMENT AND SITE PLAN STANDARDS," OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDS-IN-LIEU OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PEDESTRIAN AND NON-VEHICULAR CIRCULATION SYSTEMS.
Executive Summary: This legislation would create a Pedestrian Linkages Fund as recommended by the Connect Hudson Plan that came out of the Safe Routes Hudson initiative.
Body
Legislative History
This legislation was introduced in the fall of 2012 and discussed by Council.
Purpose & Explanation
The Connect Hudson Plan that came out of the Safe Routes Hudson initiative recommends the creation of a sidewalk fund created by contributions from builders and developers where sidewalks could be required, but there are no existing walks with which to connect. The new fund would be used to fill the sidewalk "gaps" throughout the City.
This legislation would implement the recommendation and enable discretion regarding the Land Development Code requirement to install sidewalks. Instead of requiring "sidewalks to nowhere" that don't connect to an existing network, payment in lieu of installing sidewalks could be placed into a Pedestrian Linkages Fund instead, which could then be used to complete sidewalk connections in other areas. It would be understood that when a sidewalk was needed at the original location, it would be at the City's expense, possibly through this same funding source.
Council conducted its first reading of the legislation and referred the matter to Planning Commission for public hearing and recommendation on February 20. Planning Commission conducted its public hearing on March 11. After public comment and discussion the commission recommended that Council disapprove the legislation. The draft decision of Planning Commission is attached. The video of the meeting is available for viewing on the City's web site.
Timing Considerations
Council conducted its first reading February 20 and referred the legislation to Planning Commission for public hearing and recommendation. Planning Commission held its public hearing March 11 and made its recommendation at that time. Council must conduct its own public hearing and take final action. After publication of Council's public hearing, there must be a thirty day waiting period during which documents related to the legislation must be available for public examination. Council must take final action within twenty days of its public hearing. According to Section 1203.02(e)(3) Council must act within ninety days of the date it receives Planning Commission's recommendation.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Suggested Action
Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council discuss how it wishes to proceed. It could schedule a public hearing or, if it wishes, discuss Planning Commission's suggestions.
Submitted by,
Mark Richardson, Community Development Director