Committee backs New North End sidewalk scoping study to support grant applications and future builds
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Summary
The committee approved a scoping study for sidewalk connections in Burlington’s New North End, including potential permanent sidewalks on Stanbury Road and a seasonal pilot on Green Acres Drive; Cottage Grove/Waldo Drive was scoped as no‑build with traffic calming recommended.
Burlington Public Works staff returned to the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee seeking approval to recommend a New North End sidewalk scoping study to city council. The study would support future grant applications and identify feasible sidewalk locations and potential pilot projects.
Philip Peterson, senior transportation planner, said the study (funded in part by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission) would examine connecting missing sections of sidewalk and advance a shortlist of candidate projects. Peterson said Stanbury (Stanbury/Dale) Road is a primary candidate for a concrete sidewalk to connect the neighborhood; Green Acres Drive is proposed as a seasonal pedestrian zone pilot (similar to a previous Sanbury pilot) to test demand and design before committing to a permanent sidewalk. Cottage Grove/Waldo Drive was scoped as a likely no‑build because of narrow right‑of‑way and strong neighborhood preference for traffic calming instead of formal sidewalks.
Committee members said the Stanbury pilot was well received by neighbors during last year’s temporary activation and urged staff to include the Stanbury corridor as a strong candidate for a future Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Grant. Peterson and staff noted that applications would rely on the study to demonstrate council support and project feasibility; if future grant funds are secured, the city would follow normal capital prioritization and maintenance planning.
The committee voted to recommend approval of the New North End sidewalk scoping study so staff can proceed to city council and pursue implementation funding.
