Committee and staff seek more review of proposed update to Ulster County pedestrian and bicycle policy

Legislators and county staff on Aug. 11 agreed that proposed updates to the Ulster County Pedestrian and Bicycle Policy — referred to in committee as Resolution No. 225 — need further review before final consideration.

The sponsor postponed Resolution No. 225 earlier in the meeting; committee members and staff said they want to refine language that could be interpreted to require widened shoulders, sidewalks, or bicycle accommodations on bridge repairs or reconstruction in places where such work would be cost‑prohibitive or technically infeasible.

Deputy executive office staff told the committee that planners and public works staff “share many of the same concerns as Legislator Litz regarding that language,” and that the current policy language (dating from 2009) might force accommodations in situations where only limited bridge repair is feasible. The deputy executive said the county will take a “more holistic review” of the policy with the Traffic Safety Board and other stakeholders.

Legislator Litts cautioned that the draft uses mandatory phrasing that could carry substantial fiscal consequences, urging clearer phrasing such as “provided” or directing a study before requiring construction-level accommodations. Deputy officials said the final language presented to the legislature may differ from the current draft, and that postponement was intended to allow traffic safety and planning input.

Committee members said they expect the sponsor to attend future meetings and for staff and the Traffic Safety Board to help craft language that balances safety goals and fiscal practicality.