Title
AN ORDINANCE PERMITTING FUNDS-IN-LIEU OF SIDEWALKS CITYWIDE AND REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO NON-VEHICULAR CONNECTIVITY IN THE CITY OF HUDSON.
Brief Description: The Council of the City of Hudson seeks to clarify conflicting variance precedents granted by the Board of Zoning & Building Appeals.
Body
Legislative History
None.
Purpose & Explanation
In case BZBA 2020-1051, the Board of Zoning & Building Appeals denied a variance to the requirement "... to provide a public sidewalk on one (1) side of an abutting street pertaining to new development, pursuant to section 1205.11(e)(9)(B)(1)" unless funds-in-lieu of sidewalks were provided.
In case BZBA 24-270, the Board of Zoning & Building Appeals granted a variance to the requirement "... to provide a public sidewalk on one (1) side of an abutting street pertaining to new development, pursuant to section 1205.11(e)(9)(B)(1)" at least partially on the grounds that funds-in-lieu of sidewalks was not explicitly defined for District 8.
Over the past five years, the City of Hudson has added approximately 7.8 miles of sidewalks or trails at an approximate cost of $12.5 million and has budgeted approximately $12.3 million for additional sidewalks or trails.
A survey conducted in 2020 by ETC Institute for development of the 2020 Park Master Plan indicates that "walking and biking trails" were identified as one of the four most important recreation facilities to 59% of Hudson households.
A survey conducted in 2023 by ETC Institute for development of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan indicates that "sidewalks" ranked in the top five City services that "should receive emphasis over the next two years", with 28% of households selecting it as their first, second, or third choice.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks; bid tab attached: [Yes/No/NA])
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Profess...
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