[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6786880,"mediaKeyId","5590343-c8d100a673d6493c1f224bdbac356fc9","parentId",5590343,"title","Sandpoint advisory committee asks staff for guidelines before approving code change to allow subdivisions to pay sidewalk fees","audioSeconds",2407,"startMs",2407860,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590343-c8d100a673d6493c1f224bdbac356fc9&start=2407&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590343-c8d100a673d6493c1f224bdbac356fc9/thumbnail_2407860.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6786880/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-advisory-committee-asks-staff-for-guidelines-before-approving-code-change-to-allow-subdivisions-to-pay-sidewalk-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786880-0327fed70b183662612468eb27ad7e9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775057178&Signature=ZB17kINcUghoxLSiY55nxus1rX6KWmrwmv~U2Zxeb0YTmRJe0Qqrb9HH5h3nwm5EOtXyJz1uEmXVnQgry1aXbQZrHMXJ2ClJMZBW4SJ3kBzW-9gCwmd-HEZjYVbPialMN26xlamTjKLzqCly8lsr6euAOJ5OPZPVwG~UtuDx0TyssppjZYi6Wwzipbm0y~zEcKxjOjeQIu4m~a81JH-Rpf83k8VmSXnaGwWPZYMYI7veBTDlyhEurCmYc0gXUjkPeN6fUAVjckQ1kTfNurRPOy3M8e5Fiyb0EcWVCbr1mS-mo6K5bgU1rQy6eV0qoJWHokZ02hRp2PSztjGOXAlAXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sandpoint","date","2025-08-15T15:12:33Z","article","The Sandpoint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee on Aug. 14 reviewed a Planning & Zoning referral proposing a narrow change to City Code 7-3-10H that would allow subdivisions to pay a sidewalk fee-in-lieu (an \"in-lieu\" fee) instead of immediately constructing sidewalks at final plat in certain cases.

Staff explained the change is intended to provide limited flexibility for subdivisions where building a sidewalk at platting does not make practical sense (for example, a short dead-end with no future connectivity). The referral asks whether subdivisions should be able to use the in-lieu fee option and requests the committee's recommendations prior to returning the item to Planning & Zoning.

Committee members voiced several concerns: whether the change would effectively let property owners unilaterally elect to pay the fee rather than construct sidewalks, how staff would apply the option consistently over time, and how enforcement would work if sidewalk construction were deferred. The committee asked staff to clarify who decides (staff noted the code already delegates that discretion to the public works director or city engineer) and to propose objective criteria to govern when the fee option is allowed.

During discussion staff clarified the current fee level for in-lieu payments is $60 per linear foot. Members also asked legal counsel to advise on enforcement tools — for example, bonding, liens or other mechanisms — to ensure deferred sidewalks are completed if the fee option is used.

Rather than vote on the amendment, the committee directed staff to draft clearer guidelines explaining when and why the public works director might permit an in-lieu payment and to consult legal counsel about enforcement and continuity. Committee members indicated they will review the staff-drafted criteria and consider a formal recommendation at a future meeting.

Next steps: Staff will work with relevant departments to produce objective criteria and return the redrafted language to the committee for review. The item remains under committee consideration and will return before Planning & Zoning and then City Council if the committee adopts recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting | 08/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff asked the Sandpoint Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee to review a proposed change to City Code 7-3-10H that would allow subdivisions to use an in-lieu sidewalk fee in some cases.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6786886,"Sandpoint staff outline Phase 2 Division Avenue plan: sidewalks moved, bike lanes added and curb radii targeted for safety",994,994390,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590343-c8d100a673d6493c1f224bdbac356fc9&start=994&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590343-c8d100a673d6493c1f224bdbac356fc9/thumbnail_994390.jpg","/articles/6786886/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-staff-outline-Phase-2-Division-Avenue-plan-sidewalks-moved-bike-lanes-added-and-curb-radii-targeted-for-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786886-78e3bd3363de3889188e3d962b4b1bc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775057178&Signature=KhxqF7ZUFMqv1kH~uE3WmpZVOjq7ZSnDukwfvc8AkthbqABYWFsp9IoX3ESccL-YBfh-hKB9LrrfORLLcX~Yzi-O4~FdPqGzRhxVqnwkH~BgoerqO1mMBTBnn4PqT8CvqJClckbi98coj7Vr1OzMXa~UxKjHzHa0mu4wKgRFf5aaO9fXb~WkLIOrOO9VIIe7QyzWP-Q6ryAG3rfrqXje5Vrlzw7QEC4DYUrB0RmlAqVIdwOjdGh1sPVxlMXfmXwCNi6RNkZ8noruPR5VAMYUm50PeGYhpjDfKoGeJvOI9q~rIChN8IWT9UXDx~5sHNLT1U7ARyUOG-6sR9GeM65m2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Engineer Brandon Steglin and staff presented Phase 2 of the Division Avenue corridor improvements to the Sandpoint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee on Aug. 14, detailing a plan to move sidewalks to the edge of the right-of-way to create a buffer for snow storage and to install standard bike lanes on the east side of the street.

The plan covers the stretch north from Superior to Pine and would relocate the curb line to reduce excess pavement and remove a continuous left-turn lane, freeing space for one travel lane in each direction with bike lanes and upgrades to curb ramps at crossings. \"We're taking space away from vehicles and giving it to pedestrians,\" Brandon Steglin said during the presentation, describing an intent to prioritize pedestrian space and safer crossings.

Committee members pressed staff for specifics about curb radii at high-pedestrian intersections — notably Division and Pine, a high school corridor — and asked that corners be tightened where feasible to slow vehicle turning speeds and improve visibility for walkers. Staff cited recent federal Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and evolving ADA-related guidance as drivers for replacing diagonal ramps with perpendicular ramps at crossings and for updating curb ramp placement and design.

Steglin told the committee the project remains in preliminary engineering; work could proceed as soon as this fall if staffing allows, but more likely next year. He recommended the advisory committee assemble a written list of recommendations and vote on them so staff can fold the committee's input into the final design. \"It's probably the most interesting way to get input,\" he said, urging a draft list for the next meeting.

Members also discussed intersection-specific trade-offs — for example, where a narrower corner radius improves sightlines and reduces vehicle speeds but requires adjusted curb ramp locations to maintain accessible crossings. Staff said the goal is to have crosswalks positioned so motorists see pedestrians after completing turns, consistent with the PROWAG emphasis on detectable warnings and perpendicular ramp alignment.

Next steps: the committee agreed to prepare recommendations (via the intersections subcommittee) and return the item to a future agenda for discussion and a possible formal recommendation to staff.","City Engineer Brandon Steglin and staff presented Phase 2 of the Division Avenue corridor improvements to the Sandpoint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee on Aug. 14, outlining relocated sidewalks, bike lanes and updated curb ramps.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6786875,"Sandpoint committee to hold open houses, compile downtown bike-parking inventory",2010,387050,2397850,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590343-c8d100a673d6493c1f224bdbac356fc9&start=387&end=2397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590343-c8d100a673d6493c1f224bdbac356fc9/thumbnail_387050.jpg","/articles/6786875/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-committee-to-hold-open-houses-compile-downtown-bike-parking-inventory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786875-0357aef177c427c66cdc931cc49add1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775057178&Signature=XMi3P5Sgenyg8c5tn5-GbBW60ncuaNcI70UQ3sx6yy-Z2a69cIabO4uI8ok2th368IyloAlKVZawx8ZavdFOsUtius50mVgaKFbiy-l1~4M1whSGi-YC1~Ws-Q2YGblrVUVX7uqLb93eu5yrodmfT5frRtY09uYaXtljNR9uw4gtHxAxzNCD~9RFdWSQ7TA8~iEPSX5~3tBhv9C11581TC45iQX70dyO~pa8CAR65jbz1wKMsUDg8aa540z584TX9OQ8HWX-VAeYg8e577OmZcE3PdmX~YUcRd7lFMJKWUiPH5g-yLZt0jUv07GIzsIq6a92ByfNGgtC3fKFtLG3wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members and staff discussed two engagement efforts at the Aug. 14 meeting: a downtown bike-parking survey that volunteers collected and proposed in-person open houses to gather sidewalk and accessibility priorities from residents.

Events subcommittee member Erin proposed holding two open houses after school starts (late September into October), with one lunchtime and one evening session, maps with sticky notes for input, and potential snacks or childcare to boost attendance. \"We were thinking definitely after school starts back maybe September, October, do a couple open houses,\" Erin said, explaining staff would help promote and that volunteers from the committee would be needed to staff events.

On bike parking, Jen reported volunteers had collected nearly 98 surveys; staff (Eric Brubaker) will compile the results and work with Planning (Jason Welker) to produce a consolidated map showing existing bike parking and gaps. Committee members said they need that map to make informed recommendations about where to place additional bike parking staples downtown.

Next steps: committee volunteers will finish survey collection and drop materials with Eric Brubaker; staff will consolidate the inventory and present a map to the committee for discussion and specific siting recommendations.","The Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee agreed to host in-person open houses in September/October to gather sidewalk and accessibility input and to consolidate results of a downtown bike-parking survey so staff can recommend locations for bicycle staples across the downtown district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sandpoint advisory committee asks staff for guidelines before approving code change to allow subdivisions to pay sidewalk fees

Sandpoint staff outline Phase 2 Division Avenue plan: sidewalks moved, bike lanes added and curb radii targeted for safety

Sandpoint committee to hold open houses, compile downtown bike-parking inventory