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Port Angeles holds first reading on sidewalk fee-in‑lieu program after ADA gap review
Summary
City staff presented a draft ordinance and held a first reading Sept. 15 of a new sidewalk fee‑in‑lieu program, which would let qualifying applicants pay a fixed fee or build approved off‑site improvements instead of constructing frontage sidewalks in constrained situations.
Port Angeles city staff presented a draft sidewalk fee‑in‑lieu program and held the ordinance’s first reading on Sept. 15, asking council for direction before bringing a final ordinance back for adoption. The measure would allow an applicant who is required to provide frontage improvements to pay a fixed fee or build approved off‑site equivalent improvements instead of constructing sidewalk and curb features in front of the development parcel.
Why the proposal: Staff said the proposal grows out of the city’s 2021 ADA transition plan and the Complete Streets policy and the comprehensive plan’s direction to require sidewalks for development. The ADA survey identified widespread noncompliance across the city: staff said 98% of sidewalk blocks and 96% of curb ramps had at least one compliance deficiency, and the plan estimated a multi‑decade, multi‑million‑dollar backlog without additional funding.
Key points of the proposed program: - Eligibility: Applied when a project meets a threshold for “substantial improvements” (draft…
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