February 13 meeting of the Sustainability Workgroup | Sustainability Workgroup | Stay in Touch in our Community Forum

I plan on submitting the proposals at the bottom of this note to the Sustainability Workgroup for its consideration at its February 13 meeting.  One proposal relates to a city grant program for installing sidewalks and the other to a VanChaMasShe neighborhood gathering place at the intersection of Van Hise and Shepard.

Also, earlier today, I received the following comments on these proposals: 

"I looked this over and wondering if that means that the proposal would be add and complete sidewalks in our three block stretch when our streets get repaved?  If that is the case I would advocate that we add languagel that states that this only be done in areas where there are thru streets. And that the grant program would be modified to include the abandonment of incomplete sidewalks in the area. 

"Also wondering if homeowners along the intersection of Shepherd  and VanHise have been consulted regarding the proposed meeting area/kiosk."

Here are my responses to these comments. 

As the sidewalk grant proposal now stands, the trigger for adding sidewalks would, in general, be an application from a neighborhood association and not automatically happen when streets get repaved.  The application could be for a single block or multiple blocks.  Language I included in brackets, including the text on priority for projects done at the same time as work on the adjoining street, is optional or offers alternatives, and the Sustainability Workgroup can decide if it wants to include any of the bracketed text or a variation of it.  The Sustainability Workgroup may also choose to add other text, as well. 

Re the abandonment of incomplete sidewalks, that topic was addressed by a city engineer at the January 23 meeting of the Hoyt Park Area Joint Steering Committee.  He indicated that, once a sidewalk is installed, the city does not support taking it out.  I assume the Common Council could override that position, but I think it'd be an uphill fight.       

Also, I will clarify in the next version that this sidewalk proposal is a call for a city-wide grant program.

Re consultation with the homeowners along the intersection of Shephard and Van Hise on the other proposal, 2 of the 3 immediate homeowners have received an email note from me on the proposal, and I’m trying to set up a meeting with the third. 

*********  Text of Proposals   ***********

Optional or alternative language is in brackets

Sidewalk Grant Proposal

a.     Create and fund a competitive grant program that pays[a portion] [50%] [a portion determined by the Common Council] of the assessment for sidewalks necessary to complete the sidewalks in a city block located in an existing neighborhood, subject to the following:

i.       Eligible grant applicants would be the neighborhood association that covers the block, or, if there is no neighborhood association, [xx%] of the property owners owning property abutting the completed sidewalk [and subject to an assessment for the sidewalk].

ii.      Grant applications would have to address factors identified by the city department administering the grant program, including the contribution of the completed sidewalk to the “walkability” and livability of the neighborhood.

iii.     [The administering city department may also include in the grant application evaluation and scoring the timing of the construction of the sidewalk and whether the construction will coincide with the repaving or restoration of the adjacent street.]

Comments: The city recently had a comparable cost-sharing program between the city and property owners for the replacement of lead water service supply pipes.  See http://www.cityofmadison.com/w…..cement.cfm

Madison’s comprehensive plan addresses sidewalk completion in its transportation chapter as follows: “Facility Improvements. The City of Madison requires sidewalks along all public streets as part of new developments. Retrofitting existing developed areas to add sidewalks and/or curb ramps is also being done, but is a more difficult and controversial task. This issue has been noted extensively in public comments on pedestrian transportation.”  [http://www.cityofmadison.com/p.....3/v1c3.pdf, page 3-25]  This proposal provides a way to deal with this controversy.

Madison’s draft Sustainability Plan [page 67] has a goal to “[p]romote safe neighborhoods that support physical activity as part of everyday life.”  One action in the plan to implement this goal is to “[p]romote complementary system of transportation that support walking and biking, such as sidewalks, trails, and bike paths.”

Other cities are addressing sidewalk completion.  A description of Missoula, Montana’s efforts to help fund sidewalk improvements is at http://www.ssti.us/2012/01/a-s…..rovements/

VanChaMasShe Neighborhood Gathering Place Proposal

b.     At the request of the VanChaMasShe Neighborhood Association (VNA), authorize the creation of an outdoor neighborhood gathering place on the street at the intersection of Van Hise Avenue and Shepard Terrace subject to the following:

i.       The equipment in the place is appropriate for such a gathering space and may include tables or benches, a kiosk for posting neighborhood events, news, etc., and public art.

ii.      The place would include an appropriate barrier to separate the place from traffic and be accompanied by appropriate traffic signage.

iii.     The place would be in use for 3 seasons and removed during the winter to accommodate snow removal.

iv.    The design of the place would be subject to review and approval by the appropriate city department.

Comments: The VanChaMasShe Neighborhood presently does not have any public space within a short walk of residents in the neighborhood that could be used for a gathering place. 

In general, the city supports the creation of neighborhood-scale community enhancement projects, that will “improve the appearance and livability of the neighborhood’s public spaces such as streetscapes, gateways, and neighborhood business areas” through its neighborhood grant program.  See http://www.cityofmadison.com/n…..rogram.htm 

Examples of using parts of streets for these types of facilities are at http://www.restreets.org/