Council Communication

Title:	Sidewalk Discussion within the Strawberry Lane Local Improvement District
Dept:	Public Works Department
Date:	August 6, 2002
Submitted By:	Paula Brown
Reviewed By: ........................	Greg Scoles, City Administrator

Synopsis:	Council approved the formation of the Strawberry Lane Local Improvement District (LID) at their regular meeting on November 20, 2001. During the discussion and public hearing, staff acknowledged that the design would be brought back to the neighborhood during the 35% and again at the 90% stages. On May 2, 2002, staff held an open house to provide the opportunity for review of the 35% design. During that meeting, the primary concern from the neighbors is the need for sidewalks. Sidewalks are shown on the design, but the neighbors overwhelmingly requested that Council revisit the need for sidewalks. Staff brought this item to Council on May 21, 2002 and received final design concept approval with sidewalks intact. Throughout the last two months, staff has received numerous comments on site specific design issues (driveways and access primarily) and has worked to incorporate each into the final design. At the July 16th meeting after a neighbor's concern regarding sidewalks on upper Nutley, Council directed staff to bring back the final design with a detailed review of sidewalk width variances from the 4 foot standard.
Recommendation:	Council's policy is to include sidewalks in LIDs and new street design. Staff supports the need for sidewalks to ensure the safety of pedestrians on these fairly narrow street systems. It is staff's recommendation to retain the sidewalks as shown on this 95% design and proceed to the bids and construction.
Fiscal Impact:	The total project cost is estimated at $1,076,697 and includes the street work ($830,000) and storm drainage ($246,697). The City's participation is $641,176. A rough estimate was calculated for the sidewalk portion, which is estimated at $86,600. There has been discussion regarding the desire to remove the sidewalk from the upper Nutley section, which could reduce the costs by approximately $2,000. The City's portion of the costs would be reduced by that amount. There would be no impact on the cost assessed to each homeowner as the City is already subsidizing the difference between the full assessment (approximately $10,441 per lot) and the LID cap of $4,140 per potential unit.
Background:	After many years of discussion, the Strawberry LID was formed in November 2001. The LID includes the upper end of Westwood, Strawberry Lane down to Granite, Scenic (between Strawberry to Nutley), Alnutt and Nutley above Scenic Drive. The design shows one way travel down the hill on Strawberry between Alnutt and Granite, and one way travel on Alnutt from Nutley to Strawberry. The LID includes participation from the developers on the top of Strawberry, the City, as we own property on the top of Strawberry and also at the reservoir on Hitt Road, and the Parks Department, as they also own parks land on the top of Strawberry. Prior to forming the LID, staff held numerous meetings with the affected property owners. Of primary concern was the need to retain trees and minimize the negative impacts within a developed area. The design criteria were developed during a walking tour of the site. Staff summarized the neighborhood concerns in the May 21st staff report, which is attached for reference. Throughout the process, the neighbors have objected to the need for sidewalks. Council's policy is to include sidewalks in LIDs and new street design. The design shows sidewalks on one side of the street along all of the street sections; Strawberry, Alnutt, Nutley, Scenic and Westwood. Staff was allowed the latitude of recommending a narrower 3-foot sidewalk section to reduce the need of bank cuts and retaining wall heights, and also to protect trees to a greater extent. With a 3-foot sidewalk on sections of Scenic and on upper Nutley above Scenic, the impacts to the neighbors and trees along the route are negligible. There are still cases where a small portion of right-of-way must be acquired because of the street curvature and to align with existing travel ways. Specifically, staff has recommended changes to a 3-foot sidewalk on Scenic at Strawberry for about 150 feet where there are 2 major curves, and for the entire upper Nutley section. The sidewalk on Nutley has been shortened to 190 feet and ends at the Khan driveway (see attached drawing). This reduces the impact on several larger trees that have been the neighbor's concern. Staff is not recommending a narrower sidewalk section on the remaining one way streets. Pedestrians will have safety in the full 4-foot section on these narrow portions of the road system. There is a vehicle pull out on Alnutt between Strawberry and Nutley.

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